Eddie Jayamanne
Eddie Jayamanne එඩී ජයමාන්න | |
|---|---|
| Born | Wanniaarachchige Don David Victor Jayamanne 15 February 1915 Negombo, Sri Lanka |
| Died | 25 July 1981 (aged 66) Palliyawaththa, Handala |
| Resting place | Manyokhena Cemetery, Negombo |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Education | St. Peter's College, Negombo Maris Stella College |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, comedian |
| Years active | 1947-1983 |
| Known for | cinema acting |
| Spouse | Rukmani Devi (1943-1978) |
| Father | W. Don Thomas |
| Relatives | B. A. W. Jayamanne (brother) Grace Jayamanne (brother in law) |
Wanniaarachchige Don David Victor Jayamanne, MBE (15 February 1915 – 25 July 1981), popularly known as Eddie Jayamanne was a popular Sri Lankan comedian and actor of early Sri Lankan cinema.
Early life
[edit]He was born on 15 February 1915 in Periyamulla, Negambo to a Christian family as the youngest of the family with seven siblings. His father, W. Don Thomas was a teacher at Maris Stella College. He was educated at the Cross College of Negombo, St. Peter's College, Negombo, St. Mary's College, Negombo and Maris Stella College. His elder brother B. A. W. Jayamanne was a renowned filmmaker and producer.[1]
Eddie married fellow Minerva troupe player Rukmani Devi after falling in love through their involvement in the same plays.[2] Devi's parents challenged their engagement in court but they were allowed to go through with their marriage.
Cinema career
[edit]Eddie with his brother B. A. W. Jayamanne formed the Minerva theater troupe in the 1930s. They successfully ran plays in which naive Ceylonese characters would ape Western ways to comical results merging South Indian theatre with Western drama. Eddie, a frequent star of these comedies, became a popular theater actor in the years leading up to the development of Sri Lankan cinema.[1]
In 1947, South Indian producer S. M. Nayagam became interested in producing a Sri Lankan film. He contacted B. A. W. Jayamanne and secured the rights to one of his plays called Kadawunu Poronduwa.[2] Eddie would be one of the stars in this film adaption in the village simpleton role of "Manappuwa" alongside Jemini Kantha as Josi Baba. As the first film to feature Sinhalese dialogue, the film found approval with audiences and was a huge success.[1]
The Jayamanne brothers followed the success of the film with several other play adaptions i.e. Hadisi Vinishchaya (1949), Sengawunu Pilithura (1951) and Umathu Wishwasaya (1952). Mabel Blythe joined the cast with Hadisi Vinishchaya. In 1953 the brothers adapted a book into film for the first time in Sri Lankan cinema (Kele Handa). Their subsequent films include Iranganie (1954), Matha Bedhaya (1955), Perakadoru Bena (1955), Daiwa Wipaakaya (1956), Vanaliya (1958), Kawata Andare (1960) and Mangalika (1963).[2][1]
Eddie's work not related to his brother's productions include playing a musician in Sandesaya (1960) and the brother of a village simpleton who discovers a jewel and becomes rich in Kolomba Sanniya (1976). He reprised his role as Manappuwa in a remake of Kadawunu Poronduwa released in 1982.[1]
He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1954 Birthday Honours.[3]
Death
[edit]On 25 July 1981, Eddie died from a heart attack.[1] During his last days, he was residing in 172, Palliyawaththa, Handala. His death was reported by a neighbor, P.K. Piyadasa. He was buried in "Manyokhena" Cemetery in Negombo.
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Kadawunu Poronduwa | Manappuwa | |
| 1948 | Kapati Arakshakaya | Jacob | |
| 1948 | Weradunu Kurumanama | Babaiyya | |
| 1949 | Peralena Iranama | Paucha | |
| 1950 | Hadisi Vinischaya | Kokila | |
| 1951 | Sengawunu Pilithura | Manappuwa | |
| 1952 | Upathu Viswashaya | Saping | |
| 1953 | Kele Handa | Aanda | |
| 1954 | Iranganie | Somapala | |
| 1955 | Mathabhedaya | William | |
| 1955 | Perakadoru Bena | Gunathilaka Ralahamy | |
| 1956 | Dosthara | Doctor | [4] |
| 1957 | Siriyalatha | Kurunis | |
| 1957 | Soorasena | 441 | |
| 1959 | Daivayogaya | Dantha | |
| 1960 | Sandesaya | Mamma | |
| 1960 | Nalangana | Sunil's friend | [5] |
| 1960 | Kawata Andare | Andare | |
| 1961 | Gan Thera | ||
| 1963 | Mangalika | ||
| 1963 | Mangalika | ||
| 1964 | Semiya Birindage Deviyaya | [6] | |
| 1965 | Sathutai Kandului | ||
| 1966 | Sampatha | ||
| 1966 | Senasili Suwaya | Kavinda | |
| 1967 | Sarana | ||
| 1967 | Magul Poruwa | ||
| 1967 | Rena Giraw | Club goer | [7] |
| 1968 | Abudasse Kale | ||
| 1968 | Radhapura | Lal | |
| 1968 | Dehadaka Duka | Alankari | |
| 1969 | Paara Walalu | ||
| 1971 | Kalana Mithuro | ||
| 1971 | Samanala Kumariyo | ||
| 1972 | Hathara Wate | Gunadasa | |
| 1973 | Hondama Welawa | ||
| 1973 | Hondai Narakai | ||
| 1973 | Hondata Hondai | Uncle | |
| 1974 | Duleeka | Jayawardena | [8] |
| 1974 | Susee | Bastian | [9] |
| 1974 | Duppathage Hithawatha | Jimmy | [10] |
| 1975 | Hitha Honda Minihek | Eddie Jayamanne | |
| 1975 | Lassana Kella | ||
| 1975 | Lassana Dawasak | Eddie, Nilanthi's father | |
| 1976 | Nayana | ||
| 1976 | Haratha Hathara | ||
| 1976 | Unnath Dahai Malath Dahai | ||
| 1976 | Onna Mame Kella Penapi | ||
| 1976 | Adarei Man Adarei | ||
| 1976 | Ran Thilaka | ||
| 1976 | Kolamba Sanniya | Jacolis | |
| 1977 | Hithuwoth Hithuwamai | Sergeant Banda | [11] |
| 1977 | Deviyani Oba Kohida | Juwan 'Aiyya' | [12] |
| 1977 | Eya Dan Loku Lamayek | Mama | |
| 1977 | Honda Hitha | ||
| 1977 | Yali Ipade | ||
| 1978 | Saara | Charlie | |
| 1978 | Apsara | ||
| 1978 | Sithaka Suwanda | Mr. Samson | |
| 1978 | Sally | ||
| 1979 | Samanmalee | Father | |
| 1979 | Jeewana Kandulu | ||
| 1979 | Subhani | ||
| 1980 | Uthumaneni | [13] | |
| 1980 | Anuhasa | ||
| 1980 | Sankhapali | Sanka's father | |
| 1981 | Kolankarayo | Kathru Mahaththaya | |
| 1981 | Thavalama | ||
| 1982 | Sithara | ||
| 1982 | Kadawunu Poronduwa remake | Manappuwa | |
| 1983 | Sandamali | Sandamali's father | |
| 1983 | Yali Pipunu Malak |
Songs
[edit]- Thakkita Tharikita Udapana Natanna Hithuna (With Jemini Kanth)
- Kolompure Shriya
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "A caricature king". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
- ^ a b c Savarimutthu, Ranee (1977). On the Development of Sinhala Cinema, 1947-1967. Colombo, Sri Lanka: OCIC Sri Lanka.
- ^ "Page 3304 Supplement 40191, 1 June 1954 London Gazette %7c The Gazette". The Gazette. 9 June 1955.
- ^ "Gunaratnam–Meyyappan–Dosthara". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "All about the film "Nalangana"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
- ^ "All about Samiya Birindage Deviyaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ "All about "Rena Giraw"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- ^ "All about the film "Duleeka"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
- ^ "All about the film Susee". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ "All about Duppathage Hithawatha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ "All about "Hithuwoth Hithuwamai"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
- ^ "Deviyani Oba Koheda". sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ "All about 'Uthumaneni'". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 1 October 2020.