Asoka Peiris
{{short description|Sri Lankan actor, director and composer}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Asoka Peiris
අශෝක පීරිස්
|other_names =
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|birth_date = 1942
|birth_name =
|birth_place = Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
|death_date = 24 December 2007 (aged 65)
|death_place = Moratuwa
|nationality = Sri Lankan
|education = S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia
|years_active = 1965–2011
|resting_place = Holy Emmanuel Church Cemetery, Moratuwa
|spouse = Chithra Peiris
|children = 3
|relations =
|awards =
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|footnotes =
|occupation = Actor, Dramatist, Director, Music director
}}
Asoka Peiris (born 1942 – died 24 December 2007 as අශෝක පීරිස්) [Sinhala]), was a Sri Lankan actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0670568/ | title=Asoka Peiris (1942–2007) | publisher=IMDb | access-date=25 April 2019}}{{cite web | url=https://www.films.lk/sinhala-cinema-artist-asoka-peiris-2882.html | title=Actors of Sinhala cinema - Asoka Peiris (1942–2007) | publisher=Sinhala Cinema Database | access-date=25 April 2019}} A highly versatile actor who mainly appeared in dramatic roles, Peiris is best known for the roles in Amba Yahaluwo and Guru Gedara.{{cite web | url=http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2007/12/epitome-of-humanity-tribute-to-asoka.html | title=An epitome of humanity : Tribute to Asoka Peiris | publisher=Sri Lanka Guardian | access-date=25 April 2019}}{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080224/Plus/plus000012.html | title=Immortal within our hearts | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=25 April 2019}}
Personal life
Ashoka Peiris was born in 1942 in Moratuwa, Colombo. His father died when he was about 16 years old. His preliminary education was at Presbyterian Girls' High School, Dehiwela and Ferguson's Girls' High School under Ms. Brooks. Then he attended S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia for secondary education. He was married to Chithra Peiris and the couple had two sons, Prakash and Eshantha, and one daughter, Menaka. After the marriage, he worked at Wellawatta Spinning and Weaving Mills, where he met Lester.
He had 6 grandchildren. Amrith, Dharaka & Amandhi are the children of his older son Prakash. Emma is the daughter of his second son Eshantha. Meshaak & Mareesha are the children of his daughter Menaka.
He died on 24 December 2007 due to a heart attack at the age of 65. His funeral took place in Holy Emmanuel Church Moratuwa. He was buried at the Holy Emmanuel Church Cemetery on 29th Friday, 2007 at 3 pm.{{cite web | url=http://www.thummansala.com/A-December-2007/News_Dec26_Asoka.php | title=Veteran actor Ashoka Peiris passed away on the 24th following a heart attack. | publisher=thummansala | access-date=25 April 2019}}
Acting career
In 1959, he produced a Sinhala play called Karolis and Porolis along with his friend Marapana during his last year at school.{{cite web | url=https://www.nation.lk/2007/12/02/eyefea3.htm | title=I will never call it a day | publisher=The Nation | access-date=25 April 2019}}
He started his acting career with the stage play Pala Malla staged in 1965 with the main role. Then he acted in an English play directed by Lucien de Soyza. His maiden cinema acting came through Delovak Athara directed by Lester James Peries with a supportive role. His first main role in cinema was in Thana Giravi directed by Roy de Silva.{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20111219/352324758803601 | title=Remembering Ashoka Peiris | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=25 April 2019}} In 1967, he directed the drama Sarana. In 1993, he won the Best Actor award at Sarasaviya Film Festival for his role in the film Guru Gedara.{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080210/TV/tv-times00001.html |title=Asoka Peiris - 'The Legend in our time' - Appreciation |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=12 December 2019}}
In 1994, Peiris won the award for the Best Actor at Sarasaviya Film Festival for the role in Guru Gedara. He continued acting in some foreign movies such as Shadow of the Cobra and Death Stone. Some of his most critically acclaimed roles came through films including, Yuganthaya, Baddegama, Yahalu Yeheli, Viragaya and Maruthaya.{{cite web | url=https://mubi.com/cast/asoka-peiris| title=Asoka Peiris films | publisher=mubi.com | access-date=25 April 2019}} His most notable television acting came through Amba Yahaluvo as Nelum Bandara, which became a cult in Sri Lankan television.{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080113/TV/tv-times00007.html |title=Asoka Peiris an inimitable actor |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=12 December 2019}}
In 1994, he founded The Moratuwa Arts Forum (MAF), which launched many projects to identify Moratuwa talents and promote music.{{cite web | url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2019/06/26/tc/189342/moratuwites-step-silver-jubilee | title=Moratuwites step into the silver jubilee | work=Daily News | access-date=25 April 2019}} He worked as the chartered president of the forum from 1995 to 1996.{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190630/magazine/maf-silver-jubilee-agm-355203.html | title=MAF silver jubilee AGM | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=25 April 2019}}
In 2004, he worked as the music composer of Jolly Boys and Haadu Wassak films.
=Selected serials=
- Amba Yahaluvo {{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features/2020/02/20/16282/ලංකා-tv-අන්දරය | title=Story of mango friends | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=7 March 2020}}
- Asani Wasi{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/020616/tv/2.html#1 | title='Asani Wesi': portrays a remote village | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=29 November 2019}}
- Awasan Horawa{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/010107/tv.html | title=Awasan Horawa': a skilful adaptation| publisher=Sunday Times| access-date=5 May 2019}}
- Duvili Maliga{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/030511/tv/3.html#1 |title='Duvili Maliga' :Story of youth |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=11 September 2019}}
- Jeewa Chakra {{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/070722/TV/tv_1.html |title='Jeewa Chakra' brings world-renowned literature on miniscreen |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=11 December 2019}}
- Mindada{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/041017/tv/6.html | title='Mindada': A story on trade union and love | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=16 August 2019}}
- Rankira Soya {{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/041107/tv/4.html |title='Rankiri Soya' gives kids a hand |publisher=Sunday times |access-date=17 November 2017}}
- Sathya{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/010819/tv.html |title=Muhurath ceremony for 'Sathya' |publisher=Sunday times |access-date=17 November 2017}}
- Senehase Nimnaya {{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/040829/tv/2.html |title='Senehase Nimnaya': Tale of an adopted son |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=17 November 2017}}
- Sihinayak Paata Paatin {{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/040523/tv/3.html |title=Mohan Niyaz has a dream in Colour |publisher=The Sunday Times |access-date=11 March 2017}}
- Wara Peraliya {{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/050327/tv/9.html |title='Wara Peraliya' : Reflects society |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=4 December 2019}}
Filmography
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.sundaytimes.lk/991128/tv.html 'Ulamage Rathriya' reveals the country's past]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Peiris, Ashoka}}