Wimal Kumara de Costa
Wimal Kumara de Costa විමල් කුමාර ද කොස්තා | |
|---|---|
| Born | Wimal Kumara de Costa 4 July 1948 |
| Died | 20 November 2016 (aged 68) Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Alma mater | Kelaniya Gurukula Vidyalaya |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1969-2015 |
| Awards | Best Actor of Theatre Drama Festival 1963 |
Wimal Kumara de Costa (4 July 1948 – 20 November 2016 as විමල් කුමාර ද කොස්තා [Sinhala]) was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema. One of the most popular comedy artists in 1980s and 1990s, he started cinema career with character roles in art films where he later moved to comedy roles in cinema. He is cited as the pioneer of Sri Lanka mime industry.[1]
Personal life
[edit]Wimal Kumara De Costa was born on 4 July 1948 in Kelaniya, and he completed his education from Gurukula College, Kelaniya.[1]
Career
[edit]Early days
[edit]Before entering popular art, he acted many regional stage shows like Andare, Yakage Kamhala, Sith Peraliya and Diyasena. Costa began his mainstream acting career while attending Gurukula College with a role in the play Godo Enakath directed by A.J Selvaduray. Subsequently, he performed in plays such as Dunna Dunna Gamuwe, Hitha Hondha Ammandi, Puttu, Kavuruth Yan Ne,[2] Kora Saha Andhaya and Nattukarayo by W. Jayasiri, Sugathapala de Silva and others.[3]
His first experience with film came with a role in Dharmasena Pathiraja's short Sathuro (1969). His first feature was also a Pathiraja film, Ves Gaththo, released the next year. The Pathiraja collaboration would continue through the rest of the 1970s and early 1980s, yielding some of Wimal's most famous roles such as the socialist in Bambaru Awith (1978), the abusive youth in Eya Dan Loku Lamayek (1977) and the disaffected youth of Ahas Gauwa (1974).[3]
Costa won the Award for the Best actor at 1963 Theatre Drama Festival for the acting in Dunna Dunna Gamuwe.[1]
Mime art
[edit]Costa is highlighted as the pioneer of Sri Lankan mime art. His most notable miming acts are Pemwathaa, Chaaya Roopa Shilpiya, Charlie Chaplin, Inimaga, Magiyek and Adare Wedana. These acts were made by dramatists like Gamini Haththotuwegama, Dharmasena Pathiraja, Sarath Kallepotha and Bandula Vithanage.[1]
Gaining Popularity
[edit]His critically acclaimed performances[1] in these films led to him becoming a much sought after actor for character roles by other art directors. Sunil Ariyaratne too used him as a whiskey seller in Sarungale (1979) among other roles. Gamini Fonseka featured him in most of his directorial work such as Sagarayek Meda (1981).[3]
In the 1980s, de Costa began to take lighter roles which he had occasionally done in the 1970s to a much smaller extent. This would be the period he began to get lead roles in such films as Silva and Jivithayen Jivithayak.[3]
From the 1990s on he had done mainly small comedic roles in B-movies.
Death
[edit]De Costa attended Colombo South General (Teaching) Hospital on 19 November 2016, where he died next day by intense respiratory difficulties.[4]
Filmography
[edit]- No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.[5] De Costa has acted in more than 100 films ranging from drama, action, and comedy roles.[6]
| Year | No. | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 200 | Samaje Sathuro | uncredited role |
| 1970 | 234 | Wes Gaththo | |
| 1972 | 264 | Sihina Lowak | |
| 1973 | 275 | Hathdinnath Tharu | Mr. Perera 'Director' |
| 1973 | 280 | Dahakin Ekek | Chandre's friend |
| 1974 | 282 | Ahas Gauwa | Gune |
| 1974 | 295 | Sagarika | |
| 1974 | 299 | Sanakeliya | [7] |
| 1975 | 316 | Mage Nangi Shyama | |
| 1975 | 325 | Sikuru Liya | Podi Hamu's friend [8] |
| 1976 | 342 | Diyamanthi | Dharma |
| 1976 | 355 | Nilla Soya | [9] |
| 1977 | 364 | Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai | |
| 1977 | 369 | Eya Dan Loku Lamayek | Siripala |
| 1977 | 378 | Maruwa Samaga Wase | Justin |
| 1977 | 379 | Siripala saha Ranmenika | Justin [10] |
| 1977 | 361 | Sudu Paraviyo | Bimiya |
| 1977 | 363 | Sri Madara | |
| 1977 | 373 | Saja | |
| 1978 | 393 | Asha Dasin | |
| 1978 | 396 | Saara | |
| 1978 | 400 | Bambaru Awith | Weerasena |
| 1978 | 401 | Salee | Justin |
| 1978 | 409 | Anupama | Sima |
| 1979 | 413 | Sarungale | Simon [11] |
| 1979 | 415 | Amal Biso | |
| 1979 | 422 | Wasanthaye Dawasak | Sisira |
| 1979 | 426 | Chuda Manikkaya | Mr. Vicky |
| 1980 | 438 | Mal Kekulu | [12] |
| 1980 | 442 | Kanchana | |
| 1980 | 443 | Silva | Silva |
| 1980 | 444 | Ektam Ge | Martin [13] |
| 1980 | 450 | Raktha | Umari |
| 1980 | 459 | Sankapali | |
| 1980 | 463 | Para Dige | |
| 1980 | 466 | Api Dedena | |
| 1980 | 468 | Mayurige Kathawa | |
| 1981 | 470 | Kolam Karayo | Joseph Silva |
| 1981 | 473 | Ranga | Bonnie |
| 1981 | 475 | Sathweni Dawasa | Bandara |
| 1981 | 476 | Sayuru Thera | Michael |
| 1981 | 481 | Situ Kumariyo | |
| 1981 | 488 | Sagarayak Meda | Drug-using prisoner |
| 1981 | 491 | Badura Mal | |
| 1981 | 497 | Sathara Diganthiya | |
| 1981 | 493 | Geethika | Piyadasa |
| 1981 | 503 | Chanchala Rekha | Podi Mahaththaya |
| 1982 | 505 | Sanda | Nimal |
| 1982 | 509 | Ra Manamali | Podi Mahaththaya |
| 1982 | 510 | Sakwithi Suwaya | Kaputa |
| 1982 | 512 | Bicycle | Samson 'Sam' |
| 1982 | 513 | Adishtanaya | |
| 1982 | 514 | Jeewithayen Jeewithayak | |
| 1982 | 527 | Sithara | |
| 1982 | 532 | Major Sir | |
| 1983 | 545 | Chandira | Anduwa |
| 1983 | 549 | Sewranga Sena | |
| 1983 | 555 | Athin Athata | Wimaldasa 'Wimale' [14] |
| 1983 | 559 | Subodha | |
| 1983 | 560 | Hasthi Wiyaruwa | |
| 1983 | 567 | Samanala Sihina | |
| 1984 | 577 | Walle Thanu Maliga | Albert Mahaththaya |
| 1984 | 576 | Shirani | |
| 1984 | 589 | Bambara Patikki | |
| 1984 | 593 | Sasara Chethana | |
| 1984 | 594 | Wadula | Peithappuwa |
| 1984 | 603 | Sahodariyakage Kathwa | |
| 1984 | 605 | Ara Soyza | Costa |
| 1985 | 621 | Aya Waradida Oba Kiyanna | |
| 1985 | 627 | Sudu Mama | |
| 1985 | 630 | Karadiya Walalla | |
| 1985 | 634 | Kiri Maduwal | |
| 1986 | 635 | Yali Hamuwennai | Prasanna's friend |
| 1986 | 640 | Peralikarayo | Jiney |
| 1986 | 647 | Puja | |
| 1987 | 670 | Ahinsa | Jackie |
| 1988 | 681 | Nawatha Api Ekwemu | Mama |
| 1989 | 694 | Randenigala Sinhaya | Ramo |
| 1991 | 718 | Paaradise | |
| 1991 | 724 | Hithata Dukak Nathi Minisa | |
| 1991 | 738 | Suwadena Suwadak | |
| 1992 | 745 | Salli Thibunata Madi | |
| 1992 | 756 | Umayangana | Jamis |
| 1992 | 764 | Muwan Palasse Kadira | |
| 1993 | 779 | Chaya Maya | |
| 1994 | 797 | Jayagrahanaya | |
| 1994 | 802 | Abiyogaya | |
| 1994 | 803 | Sanda Madala | Ranaa Ayya |
| 1994 | 808 | Mawubime Weerayo | |
| 1994 | 811 | 150 Mulleriyawa | Mantri patient |
| 1994 | 813 | Athma | |
| 1995 | 825 | Rodaya | |
| 1995 | 829 | Wairayen Wairaya | |
| 1995 | 830 | Demodara Palama | Harry [15] |
| 1995 | 834 | Age Wairaya | |
| 1995 | 838 | Hitha Honda Surayo | |
| 1995 | 839 | Cheriyo Captain | Kang-Kung |
| 1995 | 843 | Sudu Walassu | |
| 1996 | 844 | Sathi | |
| 1996 | 848 | Obatai Me Aradhana | |
| 1996 | 853 | Hitha Hodanam Waradin Na | |
| 1996 | 854 | Mana Mohini | John Wayne |
| 1996 | 857 | Hitha Honda Gahaniyek | |
| 1996 | 863 | Cheriyo Darling | Vegemite [16] |
| 1997 | 881 | Apaye Thappara 84000k | |
| 1997 | 883 | Pem Mal Mala | Security officer |
| 1997 | 913 | Rathu Aluyama | Minister Wansanatha [17] |
| 1999 | 914 | Akunu Pahara | |
| 1999 | 919 | Kolompoor | Costapal |
| 2001 | 956 | Hai Hui Babi Achchi | Costa |
| 2001 | 958 | Balakamaya | |
| 2002 | 975 | Sansara Prarthana | |
| 2002 | 989 | Onna Babo | Lengwa alias Ritaa |
| 2004 | 1028 | Bambara Sanakeli | |
| 2005 | 1061 | Alu Yata Gini | |
| 2007 | 1115 | Ai Oba Thaniwela | |
| 2013 | 1193 | Kauda Machan Alice | |
| 2014 | 1205 | Supiri Andare | Ladaruwa |
| 2015 | 1236 | Lantin Singho | Sebastian |
| 2017 | 1285 | Swaroopa[18] | Posthumous release |
| 2017 | 1286 | Sellam Nethnam Lellam[19] | Posthumous release |
| 2017 | 1292 | Dr. Nawariyan[20] | Sumanasiri. Posthumous release |
| 2019 | Sangile | Posthumous release | |
| 2022 | Rashmi[21] | Posthumous release | |
| TBD | Adda Lanuwa Damma Kodiya[22] | Posthumous release |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Pioneer of Mime Art of Sri Lanka". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ "A Stage Drama On Political Crossovers". The Sunday Leader. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
- ^ a b c d Kumara, Nuwan Nayanajith (2005). Sri Lankeya Cinema Vanshaya (Sri Lankan Film Chronicle). Sarasavi Publishers. ISBN 955-573-367-8.
- ^ "Wimal Kumara de Costa passed away". Gossip Lanka Sinhala News. 20 November 2016.
- ^ "Sri Lankan Cinema History". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- ^ "Wimal Kumara de Costa filmography". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
- ^ "All about Senakeliya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
- ^ "He left me: Sikuruliya". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
- ^ "All about Nilla Soya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
- ^ "Siripala and Ranmenika highlighted the poetic mind of the misguided man". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
- ^ "All about Sarungale". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ "All about the film "Mal Kekulu"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ "We will alone in Ektam Ge". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
- ^ "Full of stars and rings: Athin Athata". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
- ^ "'Demodara Palama' in memory of Gamini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- ^ "Cheriyo Darling - චෙරියෝ ඩාලින්". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ "'Rathu Aluyama': last creation of Yasapalitha". Sunday Times. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "පතිරාජගේ ස්වරූප හෙට එයි". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
- ^ "Take about a Following parcel". Gossipk. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
- ^ "Doctor Nawariyan film plot". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- ^ "Preethiraj is ready with RASHMI". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
- ^ "Adda Lanuwa Damma Kodiya in post productions". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 June 2017.