Denawaka Hamine


Dona Meraya Denawaka,, popularly known as Denawaka Hamine, was an award-winning actress in Sri Lankan cinema and television. Known as "The grand old lady" of Sinhala cinema, she appeared more than 300 films and teledramas in a career spanned more than four decades.

Personal life

Denawaka Hamine was born 20 February 1906 in Imbulgoda, Gampaha.

Career

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. She continued to perform the elderly woman character. She played to Western audiences with a small role in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as a weeping mother in 1984. In 1987, she was awarded the Kalasuri title.
Hamine did work in television with roles in teledramas like Kopi Kade. In 1998 she received an honorary award for her contributions to Sinhala Cinema from the Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Filmography

YearFilmRoleRef.
1965SaamaNonnohamy
1966Sihina HathakIsabella
1966Kinkini Paada
1967Sath SamuduraGunadasa's mother
1967Saru Bima
1967Sadol KanduluServant
1967Iwasana Danaa
1967Raena GirawDissa's granny
1968London Hamu
1968Wanasara
1968Hangi Hora
1968Dahasak SithuviliLalith's mother
1969Hari MagaBanda caretaker
1969Kawuda HariMother
1969Romeo Juliet Kathawak
1969Hanthane Kathawa
1970Thun Man HandiyaSirisena's granny
1970Lakseta KodiyaPinsiri's mother
1970Nim Walalla
1971PoojithayoAngo
1971Seeye Nottuwa
1971Bindunu Hadawath
1971Samanala Kumariyo
1971Sahanaya
1972Wehilihini
1972Lokuma HinawaKabi 'Hami'
1972Miringuwa
1973Matara AchchiMatara Achchi
1974Hadawath Naththo
1974SheelaProspective Voter Achchi
1974Sagarika
1974LasandaParakrama's granny
1974Wasthuwa
1974Rodi Gama
1975Pem Kurullo
1975Raththaran AmmaGranny
1975Kohoma KiyannadaSudu Nanda
1975Cyril Malli
1975Kokilayo
1975Ranwan Rekha
1975Jeewana Geethaya
1975SikuruliyaNamali's aunt
1975Hadawathaka Wasanthaya
1975Desa NisaNirukada's mother
1976Kolamba SanniyaSister
1976Madol DuwaNet trapped homeowner
1976WalmathwuwoMaggie
1976Loka Horu
1976HulawaliVillager
1977Sudu ParaviyoChandi's mother
1977Pembara Madhu
1977YakadayaGranny
1977Sikuru Dasawa
1977Maruwa Samaga WaseGranny
1978Janaka Saha ManjuGranny
1978VishmayaJanaka's granny
1978Selinage WalawwaGranny
1978Kumara KumariyoGranny
1979PalagetiyoSarath's mother
1979Eka Hitha'
1979Sawudan JemaSawdan's granny
1979Podi MalliSiri's mother
1979Wisihathara Peya
1980Anuhasa
1980ParithyagayaJayathilaka's mother
1980Bamvara Pahasa
1980Raja Dawasak
1980Paara Dige
1980Hansa VilakGranny
1980Kinduru KumariElsie Nona
1981Mihidum Sihina
1981Ridee Thella
1981Geethika
1981Sathara Diganthaya
1982Bambara Geethaya
1982Adhishtana
1982Pethi GomaraDhansukha's mother
1982Anuradha
1982Majora Sir
1983ChutteNanda
1983Sister MarySumedha's mother
1984Deweni Gamana
1984Indiana Jones and the Temple of DoomVillager
1984WadulaSovida's mother
1984Arunata Pera
1984Ranmalige WasanawaGranny
1985Adara Kathawa
1986Soora SaradiyelPinchohamy
1986DinumaGranny
1987SathyagrahanayaCartoonist's mother
1987Mangala Thegga
1987Kawuluwa
1987AhinsaParty guest
1988Sandakada PahanaHospital resident
1988Angulimala
1988Sagara Jalaya Madi Handuwa Oba SandaUpasika aunty
1990Jaya Kothanada
1991Dolosmahe Pahana
1991Salambak Handai
1991Golu Muhude Kunatuwa
1992Viyaru Minisa
1993Ordinary MagicVani
1993Lagin Giyoth Aehek Na
1994Abhiyogaya
1994Nohadan Landune
1994Ahas Maliga
1994150 MulleriyawaKiri Amma
1994Anoma
1994Mee HarakaGranny
1997Apaye Thappara 8400k
1998Channa Kinnari
2002Seethala Gini Kandu''