Denavaka Hamine
Born: 1906-02-20 in Gampaha - Sri Lanka
Died: 2002-12-09
Known For: Acting
Biography
Kalasuri Dona Meraya Denawaka was a Sri Lankan actress. "The grand old lady" was known for portraying elderly characters. Hamine was born 20 February 1906 in Imbulgoda, Gampaha. She was by profession a school teacher until a chance encounter with G. D. L. Perera when she accompanied a young actress to a theatrical audition, led to her winning the role of an elderly mother in Perera's play Kandulu. Due to her masterful performance in the role, Perera brought Hamine into his drama group Kala Pela; she would play in Kala Pela productions like Manamalayo, Sakkarawattang and Sama and was honored with a merit award at the 1964 Arts Council Drama Festival for her role in Totupola. Hamine's debut film role was in the film adaption of Sama by Perera reprising the role she had popularized in the play. In Sath Samudura she played the mother of two fishermen to much critical rave. She was presented a Best Character Actress Award for the role by a special government council. It was delivered on stage by the then Sri Lankan prime minister Dudley Senanayake. In the 1970s, Hamine had major roles in Tun Man Handiya, Desa Nisa Kolomba Sanniya and Matara Achchi.
Filmography
1998
1994
- Mee Haraka - මී හරකා as Gunapala's Grandma
1993
- Ordinary Magic as Vani
1984
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as Village Woman
1980
1976
- Kolomba Sanniya as Andare's Elder Sister
- Mangrove Island as Net trapped homeowner
1974
1970
1967
- Sath Samudura as Karolina, Gunadasa's Mother