Edna Sugathapala
{{short description|Sri Lankan actress, musician, and astrologer}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Edna Sugathapala
එඩ්නා සුගතපාල
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|birth_date = {{Birth date|1946|01|03|df=y}}
|birth_name = Edna Kamala Yeromani
|birth_place = Gorakana, Panadura
|death_date = {{death date and age|2018|3|14|1946|01|03|df=y}}
|death_place = Nawaloka Hospital
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|nationality = Sri Lankan
|education = Good Shepherd Convent
Holy Family Convent
|years_active = 1966–2019
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|occupation = Actress, Singer, Astrologist
}}
Edna Kamala Yeromani (born 3 January 1946 – died 14 March 2018 as එඩ්නා සුගතපාල) [Sinhala]), popularly as Edna Sugathapala, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television.{{cite web | url=http://www.nfc.gov.lk/artist/edna-sugathapala-648/ | title=Actresses in Sri Lankan cinema - Edna Sugathapala | publisher=National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka| access-date=15 August 2018}} She is also a pianist, vocalist and astrologer. She is the only artiste in the Sri Lankan cinema who worked as a professional astrologer.{{cite web | url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/03/20/entertainment/145941/edna-no-more | title=Edna no more | work=Daily News| access-date=15 August 2018}} She is best known for the roles in films Miringuwa, Senehasa and Tharanaya.
She died on 14 March 2018 while receiving treatments at Colombo Nawaloka Hospital.{{cite web | url=https://english.newstube.lk/entertainment/1149-veteran-sri-lankan-actress-edna-sugathapala-passes-away | title=Veteran Sri Lankan actress Edna Sugathapala passes away | publisher=News Tube| access-date=15 August 2018}} According to her wish, the body was handed over to a Medical College.{{cite web | url=https://emanthi-news.blogspot.com/2018/03/yesteryear-actress-edna-sugathapala.html | title=Yesteryear Actress Edna Sugathapala Passed Away | publisher=emanthi | access-date=15 August 2018}}
Personal life
She was born on 3 January 1946 at Gorakana, Panadura.{{cite web | url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2018/03/22/?fn=sa18032228 | title=A series of articles exploring the art world of the past | publisher=Sarasaivya| access-date=15 August 2018}} She completed her education from Good Shepherd Convent, Colombo and then from Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya. Her mother Swarna Mary Bernadeth was a film producer.{{cite web | url=https://fragmenteyes.blogspot.com/2015/11/edna-sugathapala-scripting-humility.html | title=Edna Sugathapala: Scripting humility into life | publisher=Fragments | access-date=15 August 2019}} Edna married on 28 February 1973.{{cite web | url=http://www.divaina.com/2012/01/29/meewitha01.html | title=Edna Sugathapala who made amazing predictions | publisher=Divaina| access-date=15 August 2018}} She has one daughter, Veena.{{cite web | url=http://gossip.hirufm.lk/21619/2018/03/edna-sugathapala.html | title=Edna Sugathapala died | publisher=Hiru FM | access-date=15 August 2018}}
Career
At very small age, Sugathapala acted with Late Rukmani Devi for the song Doy Doyya Putha in the film Daiwayogaya. She started her acting career through the play Gehenu Hatana produced by Dick Dias in 1966. Apart from acting, she played piano and accordion in the playback music for films Surayangeth Suraya and Me Desa Kumatada.{{cite web | url=https://srilankamirror.com/entertainment-mirror/7663-edna-sugathapala-bids-adieu | title=Edna Sugathapala bids adieu | publisher=Sri Lanka Mirror | access-date=15 August 2018}}
She started musical career at the age of 6. She graduated from Trinity College London examinations in piano. In 1978, Sugathapala released her first music album Veena.{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/150315/magazine/edna-sugathapala-celebrates-golden-jubilee-in-art-with-veena-139874.html | title=Edna Sugathapala celebrates golden jubilee in art with 'Veena' | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=15 August 2019}} The songs were written by Karunaratne Abeysekera and music directed by Mohamed Sally. She also involved for duets sang with H.R. Jothipala. Sugathapala holds the record by being the only Sri Lankan actress to play as a professional musician in a musical orchestra in a film. Her maiden cinematic experience came through 1966 film Senasuma Kothanada directed by K.A.W. Perera with a dance in song Sulan Kurullo.{{cite web | url=https://films.lk/sinhala-cinema-artist-edna-sugathapala-413.html | title=Edna Sugathapala filmography | publisher=Sinhala Cinema Database | access-date=15 August 2019}}{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5551648/ | title=Edna Sugathapala filmography | publisher=IMDb | access-date=15 August 2019}}
On 14 March 2015, she celebrated 50 years of artistic career by releasing CD with instrumental music titled Veena. The ceremony was held at Mahaweli Centre, Colombo. Sugathapala wrote a book Sugatha Chintha. In 2019, she returns to cinema after a break of a decade with the film Iskoleta Man Awa.{{cite web | url=https://www.asianmirror.lk/entertainment/item/26078-edna-sugathapala-back-to-silver-screen-with-iskoleta-man-awa | title=Edna Sugathapala Returns To The Silver Screen With 'Iskoleta Man Awa' | publisher=Asian Mirror | access-date=15 August 2019}}
She also acted in few television serials such as Sakura Mal,{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080427/TV/tv-times000018.html | title='Sakura Mal' blooms on small screen | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=15 August 2019}} Makara Vijithaya,{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/990124/mirror5.html | title=Makara Vijithaya has unusual plot | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=15 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}} and Kindurangana.{{cite web |url=http://lankaculture.blogspot.sg/2008/03/kindurangana.html?m=1|title=Kindurangana|access-date=13 March 2018}}
Filmography
| class="wikitable" | |||
| Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Senasuma Kothanada | ||
| 1969 | Senehasa | ||
| 1969 | Surayangeth Suraya | {{cite web | url=https://nawacinema.lk/latestnews/item/724-2017-06-19-05-08-29 | title=Old films back in action | publisher=nawacinema | access-date=15 August 2019}} | |
| 1972 | Miringuwa | ||
| 1972 | Edath Suraya Adath Suraya | ||
| 1972 | Veeduru Gewal | ||
| 1982 | Newatha Hamu Wemu | Art show announcer | |
| 1984 | Hitha Honda Kollek | ||
| 1985 | Rosy | ||
| 1985 | Obata Divura Kiyannam | 1st Doctor | |
| 1988 | Gedara Budun Amma | ||
| 1997 | Tharanaya | ||
| 2000 | Undaya | Beatrice aunty | {{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/991205/tv.html#1LABEL2 | title=KAW toys with new idea | publisher=Sunday Times| access-date=29 November 2019}} |
| 2019 | Iskoleta Man Awa | Principal's mother | {{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190414/magazine/childrens-movie-highlighting-the-value-of-education-345019.html | title=Children's movie highlighting the value of education | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=15 August 2019}} |
References
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External links
- [https://fragmenteyes.blogspot.com/2017/04/ Some goodbyes are for remembering]
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