Kala Keerthie Iranganie Serasinghe turns 96

9 June 2023 07:16 am - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Iranganie Serasinghe (nee Medeniya), the doyenne of Sinhala cinema, celebrates her 96th birthday today. Considered a living example of values, culture and discipline, Mrs. Serasinghe has inspired the younger generation to play a more dignified role in the field of arts.

Mrs. Serasinghe chose her career in acting at a time when women with a wealthy background and social standing were expected to play ceremonial and maternal roles within their respective clans.

Having studied drama at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, under the supervision of actresses Flora Robson and Sybil Thorndyk, she became the first Lankan actress to qualify academically in her sphere.

Prior to her appearance on the silver screen, Mrs. Serasinghe first appeared on stage in Prof. Cuthbert Amarasinghe’s production ‘The Second Mrs. Tanqueray’ in 1948. Mrs. Serasinghe started her career in cinema in Dr. Lester James Peries’ ‘Be Safe or Be Sorry’ for the Government Film Unit. Her first breakthrough came about when she was selected for the role of Kathirinahamy in ‘Rekhawa’, Dr. Peeries’ first feature film back in 1956. Since then she has acted in 42 films and 24 tele-dramas, appearing recently as 2022.

In 1956, she won the Deepashikha Award for Best Actress for her debut performance in ‘Rekhawa’. She later won the Sarasaviya Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film Sagarayak Meda in 1982. In 1998 Mrs. Serasinghe was bestowed with the title of Kala Keerthi, a Sri Lankan national honour awarded for extraordinary achievements and contributions in arts, culture and drama. In 2021, she was honoured with a lifetime achievement award during a ceremony held for 21 artists who made an invaluable contribution to Sinhala cinema in its early decades. (Kamanthi Wickramasinghe)

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Comments - 19

Sambo Friday, 09 June 2023 07:42 AM

May God Bless her for her service to the cinema and the people.

Ranjith Friday, 09 June 2023 07:46 AM

Happy Birthday and wishing you very good health

Daya Friday, 09 June 2023 08:04 AM

Very Many happy returns of the day Mum. I very much enjoyed your famous telegram series (I think it was Maha Gedara??) for its marvellous acting. God bless you for years to come.

Humility Friday, 09 June 2023 08:09 AM

A very sweet, kind and beautiful lady. An example of a mother to all Lankans. May the great old achchi be blessed according to her own wishes!

Suhada malli Friday, 09 June 2023 08:11 AM

She is certainly loved and respected by many if not all. A role model.

Upendra Friday, 09 June 2023 09:12 AM

Wish you all the good health and happiness on your 96th Birthday. You are a real gem in the local field of arts and living example of educated, cultured, humble and disciplined artist, where we mostly find just self-inflated figures with less brain and ethics today.

Karl Friday, 09 June 2023 09:41 AM

Happy Birthday and Long life!

Prof. R.K. Velautham Friday, 09 June 2023 09:52 AM

One of the Best of Best mothers, SriLanka produced. Hats off to this great mother. May God bless her with sound health to live long..

Anton Narangoda Friday, 09 June 2023 10:27 AM

Happy birthday to you dear Madam, and wishes and prayers for a long life.

Manel Fonseka Friday, 09 June 2023 10:47 AM

Happy birthday, Iranganie! I wonder if you know there is an Ivan Peries exhibition on in Thimbirigasayaya. What a lovely portrait he painted of you so so long ago.

FkeArt Friday, 09 June 2023 10:58 AM

I believe, in Sri Lanka, the best actors or actresses are considered achieved something in the industry of those who came earlier to the industry and aged to a considerable range, unfortunately, not by their TALENTS.

nimpere Friday, 09 June 2023 12:00 PM

Many Happy Returns of the Day.....

Prema Muhandiram Friday, 09 June 2023 12:06 PM

Many happy returns of the day madam. you are being blessed with humanity no to match any other in this world. May the noble Triple gem be blessed you through out

Sammy Friday, 09 June 2023 12:45 PM

Such a graceful lady. Happy Birthday to her!

Ram Friday, 09 June 2023 01:09 PM

Wishing you radiant health and happiness on your Birthday

Anne Friday, 09 June 2023 05:03 PM

Wishing you a very happy birthday and good health!

VOLKSWAGEN Friday, 09 June 2023 09:05 PM

MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY! Wishing Good Health and looking forward to the CENTURY!

RR Saturday, 10 June 2023 10:01 AM

MAY THE GOOD LORD PROTECT AND KEEP YOU IN GOOD HEALTH FOR MANY, MANY MORE YEARS

LankanLover Saturday, 10 June 2023 04:13 PM

what a legend she is, such a nice artist and a performer, Many many happy returns of the day mam, God bless you with everything you wish for.

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Kala Keerthie Iranganie Serasinghe turns 96

Comments - 19

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