G. R. Perera Explained

G. R. Perera
Native Name Lang:si
Birth Name:Galhenage Rathnapala Perera
Birth Date:13 November 1939
Birth Place:Kirulapana, British Ceylon
Nationality:Sri Lankan
Education:Kotahena Prince College, Colombo 13
Years Active:1961–2023
Children:3
Awards:Raigam Award

Galhenage Rathnapala Perera (; 13 November 1939 – 1 May 2023) was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre and television. He acted in more than 600 television serials, with a career spanned over seven decades.

Early life and education

Rathnapala Perera was born on 13 November 1939 in Kirulapana,[1] British Ceylon, as the first child of the family. The family soon after moved to Egodawatta, Boralesgamuwa. His father was a businessman and a gambling addict,[2] while his mother was a teacher. He received his education from Rattanapitiya Ananda Vidyalaya and Kotahena Prince College, Colombo 13.[3] He had two younger brothers and one younger sister.[4]

Career

Perera was introduced to drama by his friend and dramatist Tissa Abeysekara. Abeysekara, along with Perera, Prema Ranjith Thilakaratna, Dharmasiri Wickramaratna, and Wickrama Bogoda formed a drama group Ape Kattiya led by dramatist Sugathapala de Silva. Perera acted in the group's stage drama Boarding Karayo. In 1962, he played a minor role in the stage play Ranthodu directed by Dharmasiri Wickramaratna. In 1963, he acted in Premaranjith Tilakaratne's debut play Waguru Bima. He had acted in seven stage plays.

His film career began with a minor role in the 1971 film Welikathara, directed by D.B. Nihalsinghe.[5] His first major role came with his second film, Kalu Diya Dahara, directed by Manik Sandarasagara. His first television acting role was in the serial Thunkal Sihinaya, directed by Tissa Abeysekara. He portrayed numerous roles in multiple films, including the role of Malakada Bass in the serial Doo Daruwo, which was the turning point of his teledrama career, a doorway shooting victim in the film Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli, a village headman in the film Sooriya Arana, and Don Spater Senanayake in the 2018 film Nidahase Piya DS. He acted in six foreign films, which included three Indian, two American, and one German film.

Selected television serials

Personal life and death

Perera and his wife, a teledrama producer, had two daughters and one son. His youngest daughter, Yamuna Erandathi, is a teledrama actress and an honours graduate in Information Technology.[61]

Perera died on 1 May 2023, at age 83.[62]

Filmography

Year Film Roles Ref.
1971 Welikathara Tarzan Kumara [63]
1980 Karumakkarayo Siyadoris [64]
1987 Viragaya Veddah Mudalali [65]
1998 Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli Doorway shooting victim [66]
1999 Padadaya [67]
1999 Sathya Devi Veda Mahaththaya [68]
2000 Sanda Yahanata Farmer [69]
2001 Aswesuma Arnolis [70]
2002 Parliament Jokes Father of three sons [71]
2002 Sudu Sewaneli [72]
2002 Surapurata Kanyaviyak [73]
2003 Sonduru Dadabima Kamal's father [74]
2003 Bheeshanaye Athuru Kathawak [75]
2004 Sooriya Arana Village headman [76]
2004 Rajjumala [77]
2004 Randiya Dahara Loan agent [78]
2006 Anjalika [79]
2008 Super Star [80]
2008 Sandalu Thalen Eha [81]
2010 Kawulu Dora [82]
2010 Kshema Bhoomi Ralahamy [83]
2011 Sinhawalokanaya Veda Mahaththaya [84]
2011 Mahindagamanaya Chapman of King's House [85]
2012 Midnight's Children Astrologer [86]
2013 Nikini Vassa [87]
2014 Siri Daladagamanaya [88]
2014 Anagarika Dharmapala Srimathano Manamperi [89]
2015 Maharaja Ajasath Mahamathya [90]
2018 Nidahase Piya DS [91]
TBD Kondadeniye Hamuduruwo [92]
TBD Suvisi Vivarana [93]

Awards

In 1980, he won a film critics' award for his role in the movie Karumakkarayo. In 2007, he won the award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the teleplay Chakrayudaya. He was awarded the Raigam Award for acting in the most number of teledramas.[94]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Uditha . Devapriya . 5 May 2023 . The death of G. R. Perera . 7 May 2023 . . en.
  2. Web site: ප්‍රවීණ නළු ජී.ආර් පෙරේරා – GR Perera . Hiru FM . 26 September 2019.
  3. Web site: G. R. Perera: Man of many faces . 28 December 2016 . Fragment Eye . 26 September 2019.
  4. Web site: May 2, 2023 . Death of veteran actor G. R. Perera . Daily News.
  5. Web site: Veteran actor G.R. Perera passes away . 1 May 2023 . www.adaderana.lk . en.
  6. Web site: 'Aadaraneeya Poornima' : Tale of love every weekday . Sunday Times . 26 September 2019.
  7. Web site: Tale of two mothers one, child . Sunday Times . 22 December 2018.
  8. Web site: 'Amaya': Teledrama with a difference . Sunday Times . 18 August 2019.
  9. Web site: Ammai Thaththai teledrama . paradisaya . 26 September 2019.
  10. Web site: 'Aparna' is full of deception . Sunday Times . 26 September 2019.
  11. Web site: 'Athuru Para': A tribute to disabled soldiers . Sunday Times . 17 August 2019.
  12. Web site: Bim Kaluwara: The story of environmental change . Sunday Times . 16 August 2016.
  13. Web site: Bodhi; Children's drama around an extraordinary child . Sunday Times . 26 September 2019.
  14. Web site: 'Bogala Saundaris' story on exploitation and heroism . Sunday Times. 29 November 2019.
  15. Web site: 'Chakraudhaya' on Rupavahini . Daily News . 15 August 2019.
  16. Web site: Teledrama off the beaten track . Sunday Times . 17 November 2017.
  17. Web site: 'Diyaniyo' on Rupavahini from tomorrow . Daily Mirror . 26 September 2019 . 9 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200809030923/http://mirrorcitizen.dailymirror.lk/2015/05/18/diyaniyo-on-rupavahini-from-tomorrow/ . dead .
  18. Web site: Tissa : An inimitable genius of cinema. www.sundaytimes.lk.
  19. Web site: 'Ekamath Eka Rataka' to revitalize Lankan folklores . Sunday Times . 13 December 2019.
  20. Web site: 'Eth Kanda Lihini': Return of the aristocrats . Sunday Times. 17 July 2019.
  21. Web site: 'Ganga Addara Kele': A kids film . Sunday Times . 26 September 2019.
  22. Web site: This very system needs to be changed – Sudath Rohana . Silumina . 31 July 2020.
  23. Web site: Handapana on mini screen . Sunday Observer . 13 July 2020.
  24. Web site: 'Heeye Manaya' discusses heritage . Daily News . 15 August 2019.
  25. Web site: 'Indikadolla' depicts village values. Sunday Times. 10 May 2019.
  26. Web site: Isisara Isawwa in the making . Daily Mirror . 26 September 2019.
  27. Web site: 'Kadupul Mal': Parental role in marriage . Sunday Times . 29 November 2019.
  28. Web site: 'Kammiththa' from Daya's comic story . Sunday Times . 29 September 2019.
  29. Web site: Kapa Nasna Samaya Tele-Drama Series . vodtv . 15 August 2019.
  30. Web site: 'Kapanasna Samaya' : A period story with an interesting theme . Sunday Times . 11 December 2019.
  31. Web site: 'Kasee Salu':A drama in the FTZ . Sunday Times . 18 August 2019.
  32. Web site: 'Katu Imbula':A tragedy of settlers in a colony . Sunday Times . 17 November 2017.
  33. Web site: Kombi: A suspenseful thriller on TV . Sunday Times . 26 September 2019.
  34. Web site: 'Jane Eyre' on miniscreen . Sunday Times . 11 December 2019.
  35. Web site: 'Kulawamiya' relates a story of nobility . Sunday Times . 27 November 2019.
  36. Web site: 'Mahagedara' portrays an exciting family story . Sunday Times . 17 November 2017.
  37. Web site: 'Mahathala Hatana': ITN's latest tale of Sri Lankan heroes . Sunday Times . 11 December 2019.
  38. Web site: 'Maheshika' has unusual theme . Sunday Times . 16 August 2019.
  39. Web site: "Maya Agni" portrays a family in distress . Sunday Times . 15 August 2019.
  40. Web site: 'Mehew Rate' to bring back folktales . Sunday Times . 26 September 2019.
  41. Web site: Monara Kirilli: Story of love, separation . Sunday Times . 26 September 2019.
  42. Web site: 'Nilla Penena Manaya': Good and the bad . Sunday Times . 26 September 2019.
  43. Web site: Hard life of a farmer . Sunday Times . 3 December 2019.
  44. Web site: 'Ran Mehesi':Lady Without a halo . Sunday Times . 16 August 2019.
  45. Web site: 'Sisila Ima' and 'Sakki': two promising teleplays . Sunday Times . 26 September 2019.
  46. Web site: The story of a brave new woman . Sunday Times. 17 July 2019.
  47. Web site: Rupavahini's next attraction Sanda Maddahana . Daily News . 26 September 2019.
  48. Web site: 'Sanda Nodutu Sanda' : A political plot . Sunday Times . 29 September 2019.
  49. Web site: 'Sankuru Maruthaya' : a rural tragic story nears completion . Sunday Times . 26 September 2019.
  50. Web site: 'Santhuwaranaya' : A story of sacrifice . Sunday Times . 26 September 2019.
  51. Web site: "Sathyangana": diary holds secret . Sunday Times . 26 September 2019.
  52. Web site: 'Sil' tells the tale of the good and the bad . Sunday Times . 26 September 2019.
  53. Web site: Siri Sirimal Tele-Drama . vodtv . 26 September 2019.
  54. Web site: 'Siri Sirimal':The Adventures of Tom Sawyer . Sunday Times . 10 December 2019.
  55. Web site: Nalan Mendis teledramas . Nalan Mendis official website . 26 September 2019.
  56. Web site: 'Suddilage Kathawa' back on miniscreen . Sunday Times . 4 December 2019.
  57. Web site: Sudu Hamine; A tale with a twist . Sunday Times . 15 August 2019.
  58. Web site: 'Tharupaba': Love life of a journalist . Sunday Times . 26 September 2019.
  59. Web site: 'Wet and Dry': An emotional tale . Sunday Times . 4 December 2019.
  60. Web site: 'Wanabime Sirakaruwo': A tale of a brave Boer . Sunday times . 17 November 2017.
  61. Web site: Actors of Sinhala cinema – G.R.Perera – ජි.ආර්. පෙරේරා . Sinhala Cinema Database . 26 September 2019.
  62. News: Veteran actor G.R. Perera passes away . 1 May 2023 . Adaderana . 1 May 2023.
  63. Web site: All about the film "Welikathara" . 23 January 2021 . Sarasaviya.
  64. Web site: All about the film "Karumakkarayo" . 12 January 2021 . sarasaviya.
  65. Web site: All about Viragaya . Sarasaviya . 3 May 2020.
  66. Web site: Sinhala screened films . Sarasaviya . 11 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180325090402/http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2015/06/11/?fn=sa15061144 . 25 March 2018 . dead .
  67. Web site: Screening of 2 new films . The Sunday Times. 11 March 2017.
  68. Web site: Sathyadevi (1999 film) The A.V. Club. .
  69. Web site: A film off the beaten track . The Sunday Times. 11 March 2017.
  70. Web site: 'Aswesuma' a film with a novel theme . Sunday Times . 11 March 2017.
  71. Web site: Ranjan's maiden effort . The Sunday Times . 23 February 2017.
  72. Web site: Ariyaratne returns to his old love . The Sunday Times . 11 March 2017.
  73. Web site: 'Surapurata Kanyaviyak': Mario's new film . Sunday Times. 29 November 2019.
  74. Web site: Sonduru Dadabima . The Island . 11 March 2017.
  75. Web site: Bheeshanaye Athuru Kathawak . The Sunday Times . 11 March 2017.
  76. Web site: 'I'll be back on stage' . Daily News . 11 March 2017.
  77. Web site: Rajjumala:Anura's third film . Sunday Times . 26 September 2019.
  78. Web site: Sri Lankan Screened Films . Sarasaviya . 11 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151214162818/http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2015/12/10/?fn=sa15121016 . 14 December 2015 . dead .
  79. Web site: Sri Lankan Screened Films . Sarasaviya . 11 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170902135618/http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2016/01/14/?fn=sa16011417 . 2 September 2017 . dead .
  80. Web site: Sri Lankan Screened Films . Sarasaviya . 11 March 2017.
  81. Web site: Sandaluthalayen Eha Truth beyond boundaries . Daily News . 26 September 2019.
  82. Web site: 'Kavulu Dora' opens for public . Sunday Times . 23 December 2017.
  83. Web site: Sri Lankan Screened Films . Sarasaviya . 11 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160502021418/http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2016/04/28/?fn=sa16042833 . 2 May 2016 . dead .
  84. Web site: Sri Lankan Screened Films . Sarasaviya . 11 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160724152156/http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2016/05/19/?fn=sa16051931 . 24 July 2016 . dead .
  85. Web site: MAHINDAGAMANAYA – Based on True Historical Buddhist Story . mahindagamanayafilm . 5 March 2017.
  86. Book: Smith, Ian Hayden. International Film Guide 2012. 2012. 978-1908215017. 143.
  87. Web site: 'Nikini Wessa' Monopoly in film distribution discourages young filmmakers . The Sunday Times. 3 March 2017.
  88. Web site: සිරි දළඳාගමනය – Siri Daladagamanaya plot . 16 April 2014 . cinema.lk . 24 February 2017.
  89. Web site: Anagarika Dharmapala Srimathano . Sri Lanka Cinema History . 26 February 2017.
  90. Web site: Sri Lanka Cinema History . National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka . 3 October 2016.
  91. Web site: Father Of The Nation, DS Senanayake's Legacy To Silver Screen . asianmirror . 3 April 2018.
  92. Web site: Music of Ho Gaana Pokuna . Sarasaviya . 3 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180825144835/http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2016/02/11/?fn=sa1602118 . 25 August 2018 . dead .
  93. Web site: සිත් මල විකසිත සිතුවිලි නර්තනය සූවිසි විවරණ . Sarasaviya . 9 February 2024.
  94. Web site: Tarzan Kumar in Welikathara . 21 July 2017 . MEDIA HUMAN RIGHTS . 26 September 2019.