POTENT PERFORMER
Kaushalya Fernando
Like her mother once was, Kaushalya Fernando is passionate about children. She strongly believes that the world doesn’t realise the crucial role played by children and nor does it listen to them; instead, it dictates how they should live their lives. So she is using her mother’s space – children’s theatre – to extend the legacy that Somalatha Subasinghe left her. But it’s as an actress, whether onstage or in front of the camera, that she comes into and holds her own. Kaushalya is intensely powerful as she dominates both milieus with her spirited roles. She’s captivating and mesmerising when she embraces the very soul of the character being portrayed.
Her performances are deeply raw as they’re potent – think the House of Bernada Alba, Men without Shadows, The
Respectful Prostitute, Death and the Maiden, Antigone, Marat /Sade (which propelled her on the national stage) and Blood
Wedding, which she directed and won Best Play of the Year.
The awards naturally rolled in both locally and internationally including an unprecedented seven wins for her role in Bora Diya Pokuna, plus a laurel for her exceptional contribution and achievements in arts and aesthetics at the Professional and Career Women Awards.
She was born in Galle but grew up at various locales around the country as her civil servant father Lionel Fernando was transferred many times. Kaushalya excelled in swimming, hockey and athletics by winning at circuit level.
A mum to 12-year-old twins who keep Kaushalya on her toes, she’s married to Chandana who is a senior lecturer in economics and was Somalatha’s assistant director at one time. They enjoy a shared love of children’s theatre.
And if Kaushalya wants to treat herself to down time, she pops into Raheema’s to enjoy one of its signature cups of tea.
I prepare by reading the script to capture the nuances
Q: What have you recently finished working on?
A: Vishama Bhaga directed by Lalith
Ratnayake. I play the role of a mother of twins, which resonates to some extent with my own family. It’s yet to be released.
Q: What’s your acting preference – stage, TV or film?
A: My preference is the stage because each performance is new and there are no second or third takes – we’re as good as our last performance.
Q: What was life like growing up with an award-winning actress mum?
A: Very normal because she was a regular human being who dedicated her life to serving the nation by using her talents.
She was never affected by any of the trappings that went with awards or fame.
Q: What role did your dad play in your family’s theatrical prowess?
A: He was the great shadow behind mum and me, giving us both immense encouragement and strength to pursue our dreams.
Q: What has been your most exciting role?
A: In theatre, it was in Men without
Shadows; and in film, as Gothami in Bora Diya Pokuna.
Q: What’s the first thing you look for in a role?
A: The ‘challenge factor.’
Q: What are the three things you do when preparing for a role?
A: I prepare by reading the script to capture the nuances, discussing it indepth with the director, and gathering as much insight and details as possible, about the role in theatre as well as society.
Q: If you had a dream role, what would it be?
A: A politician – portraying her complex characteristics.
Q: Who would your dream director be?
A: My dream director was Ingmar Bergman
– because each of his characters was intense; he got the best out of the actors and gave prominence to them rather than himself.
Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: Reading, being with the children and hanging out with friends.
Q: Your favourite chill out is…?
A: Spending time with friends in tea cafes and boutiques.
Q: What’s the first thing you do in the morning?
A: Drink water
Q: And the last thing you do at night is…
A: Read
Q: How would Chandana describe you?
A: Careless, lazy and talks too much.
Q: And how would you describe him?
A: Methodical, self-sufficient and hot-tempered.
Q: What was it like having twins?
A: Initially it was a shock but once it sank in, we were thrilled. The good news came after 12 years. Both are such different personalities – Hans is so much a boy and wants to work in Legoland;
Haimi is all about fashion and wants to become a fashion designer.
Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration?
A: My mother – for her selflessness.
Q: Who makes you laugh the most?
A: My son – he’s a real comedian.
Q: And what’s your ‘alone time’ like?
A: I read and daydream
(whenever possible).
Q: Could you describe a typical evening at home?
A: A typical evening at home would include helping my children with their homework and my husband with his theatre rehearsals.
Q: Your most memorable moment is…?
A: The day the twins were born.
Q: Anything in life you would have done differently?
A: Being able to write and becoming a writer.
Q: If you had 24 hours to make a change, what would you do?
A: Abolish the executive presidency.
Q: How do you see the world in 10 years’ time?
A: As a concrete jungle devoid of any fauna or flora.
Q: What are the three things you want to do most in life?
A: To be there for my children, teach and produce plays.
Q: And what’s on your bucket list?
A: I would like to direct a movie because to me that’s akin to climbing Mount Everest.
I would like to direct a movie because to me that’s akin to climbing
Mount Everest