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
| Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
| 1965 | Saama | Nonnohamy | |
| 1966 | Sihina Hathak | Isabella | |
| 1966 | Kinkini Paada | ||
| 1967 | Sath Samudura | Gunadasa's mother | |
| 1967 | Saru Bima | ||
| 1967 | Sadol Kandulu | Servant | |
| 1967 | Iwasana Danaa | ||
| 1967 | Raena Giraw | Dissa's granny | |
| 1968 | London Hamu | ||
| 1968 | Wanasara | ||
| 1968 | Hangi Hora | ||
| 1968 | Dahasak Sithuvili | Lalith's mother | |
| 1969 | Hari Maga | Banda caretaker | |
| 1969 | Kawuda Hari | Mother | |
| 1969 | Romeo Juliet Kathawak | ||
| 1969 | Hanthane Kathawa | ||
| 1970 | Thun Man Handiya | Sirisena's granny | |
| 1970 | Lakseta Kodiya | Pinsiri's mother | |
| 1970 | Nim Walalla | ||
| 1971 | Poojithayo | Ango | |
| 1971 | Seeye Nottuwa | ||
| 1971 | Bindunu Hadawath | ||
| 1971 | Samanala Kumariyo | ||
| 1971 | Sahanaya | ||
| 1972 | Wehilihini | ||
| 1972 | Lokuma Hinawa | Kabi 'Hami' | |
| 1972 | Miringuwa | ||
| 1973 | Matara Achchi | Matara Achchi | |
| 1974 | Hadawath Naththo | ||
| 1974 | Sheela | Prospective Voter Achchi | |
| 1974 | Sagarika | ||
| 1974 | Lasanda | Parakrama's granny | |
| 1974 | Wasthuwa | ||
| 1974 | Rodi Gama | ||
| 1975 | Pem Kurullo | ||
| 1975 | Raththaran Amma | Granny | |
| 1975 | Kohoma Kiyannada | Sudu Nanda | |
| 1975 | Cyril Malli | ||
| 1975 | Kokilayo | ||
| 1975 | Ranwan Rekha | ||
| 1975 | Jeewana Geethaya | ||
| 1975 | Sikuruliya | Namali's aunt | |
| 1975 | Hadawathaka Wasanthaya | ||
| 1975 | Desa Nisa | Nirukada's mother | |
| 1976 | Kolamba Sanniya | Sister | |
| 1976 | Madol Duwa | Net trapped homeowner | |
| 1976 | Walmathwuwo | Maggie | |
| 1976 | Loka Horu | ||
| 1976 | Hulawali | Villager | |
| 1977 | Sudu Paraviyo | Chandi's mother | |
| 1977 | Pembara Madhu | ||
| 1977 | Yakadaya | Granny | |
| 1977 | Sikuru Dasawa | ||
| 1977 | Maruwa Samaga Wase | Granny | |
| 1978 | Janaka Saha Manju | Granny | |
| 1978 | Vishmaya | Janaka's granny | |
| 1978 | Selinage Walawwa | Granny | |
| 1978 | Kumara Kumariyo | Granny | |
| 1979 | Palagetiyo | Sarath's mother | |
| 1979 | Eka Hitha' | ||
| 1979 | Sawudan Jema | Sawdan's granny | |
| 1979 | Podi Malli | Siri's mother | |
| 1979 | Wisihathara Peya | ||
| 1980 | Anuhasa | ||
| 1980 | Parithyagaya | Jayathilaka's mother | |
| 1980 | Bamvara Pahasa | ||
| 1980 | Raja Dawasak | ||
| 1980 | Paara Dige | ||
| 1980 | Hansa Vilak | Granny | |
| 1980 | Kinduru Kumari | Elsie Nona | |
| 1981 | Mihidum Sihina | ||
| 1981 | Ridee Thella | ||
| 1981 | Geethika | ||
| 1981 | Sathara Diganthaya | ||
| 1982 | Bambara Geethaya | ||
| 1982 | Adhishtana | ||
| 1982 | Pethi Gomara | Dhansukha's mother | |
| 1982 | Anuradha | ||
| 1982 | Majora Sir | ||
| 1983 | Chutte | Nanda | |
| 1983 | Sister Mary | Sumedha's mother | |
| 1984 | Deweni Gamana | ||
| 1984 | Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom | Villager | |
| 1984 | Wadula | Sovida's mother | |
| 1984 | Arunata Pera | ||
| 1984 | Ranmalige Wasanawa | Granny | |
| 1985 | Adara Kathawa | ||
| 1986 | Soora Saradiyel | Pinchohamy | |
| 1986 | Dinuma | Granny | |
| 1987 | Sathyagrahanaya | Cartoonist's mother | |
| 1987 | Mangala Thegga | ||
| 1987 | Kawuluwa | ||
| 1987 | Ahinsa | Party guest | |
| 1988 | Sandakada Pahana | Hospital resident | |
| 1988 | Angulimala | ||
| 1988 | Sagara Jalaya Madi Handuwa Oba Sanda | Upasika aunty | |
| 1990 | Jaya Kothanada | ||
| 1991 | Dolosmahe Pahana | ||
| 1991 | Salambak Handai | ||
| 1991 | Golu Muhude Kunatuwa | ||
| 1992 | Viyaru Minisa | ||
| 1993 | Ordinary Magic | Vani | |
| 1993 | Lagin Giyoth Aehek Na | ||
| 1994 | Abhiyogaya | ||
| 1994 | Nohadan Landune | ||
| 1994 | Ahas Maliga | ||
| 1994 | 150 Mulleriyawa | Kiri Amma | |
| 1994 | Anoma | ||
| 1994 | Mee Haraka | Granny | |
| 1997 | Apaye Thappara 8400k | ||
| 1998 | Channa Kinnari | ||
| 2002 | Seethala Gini Kandu'' |