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Aruna Shanthi

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Aruna Shanthi
අරුණ ශාන්ති
Born
Palihawadana Arachchige Cyril Perera

(1926-02-12)12 February 1926
Died22 September 1992(1992-09-22) (aged 66)
Kalutara, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationDharmadutha College
St. Bede's College
Occupation(s)Film actor, singer, screenwriter
Years active1949–1992

Palihawadana Arachchige Cyril Perera (12 February 1926 – 22 September 1992 as Sinhala: අරුණ ශාන්ති), popularly known by his stage name Aruna Shanthi, was an actor and playback singer in Sri Lankan cinema.[1][2]

Personal life

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Cyril was born on 12 February 1926 in Weliwita, Kaduwela, Sri Lanka. His father died when Cyril's mother was pregnant with Cyril. He was educated at Dharmadutha College and St. Bede's College, Badulla (currently known as Badulla Central College). He has spent for some time attended St. Anthony's College, Kadawatha, Padukka Central College and Don Bosco College, Hanwella. His best friend at this time was Kingsley Kodippili, elder brother of popular actor Rex Kodippili. At the age of 17, Cyril competed in boxing and won first place.[3]

He was married to Rose Dilma, whom he met at a party in Wellawatte in 1949.[3] The couple has five sons: Neville, Ranjan, Tony, Sumith, Lucien and one daughter, Sohani Augusta.[4] Youngest son Sumith is also a singer. In 1997, the fourth brother Niranjan sang a song with Latha Walpola. In 1983, Sumith recorded 14 songs sung by his father.[5]

In his late years, he suffered a lung cancer.[6] He died on 22 September 1992 at the age of 66.[5]

Career

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Since school times, he had a passion for music and drama. In school stage, he got the opportunity to play the lead role in the play Yamtham Beruna written by Dr. Gunapala Malalasekera. He finished third in the 1947 Young Handsome Younger (Junior Mr. Ceylon) competition.[3] He was a regular member of the singing choir of Weliwita Church where he enriched his voice and also excelled as a singer. He later joined stage dramas and performed in many years. During Tower Hall drama era he acted in the play Nagara Shobhani which was assisted by the then Prime Minister Ranasinghe Pedramadasa.[4]

When he was a stage actor, he wanted to act in a film and sought the help of his cousin Willie Jayamanne. Under his cousin, Cyril got the opportunity to meet B. A. W. Jayamanne. Then he was selected to play the lead role in the film Peralena Iranama opposite to Rukmani Devi. But his mother refused to travel India for shooting. But, when he told mother that he would commit suicide if he was not allowed to go to India to act in a film, his mother gave permission.[3] In the film, he sang four songs, including: 'Paape Me Jeevithe', 'Olu Male Sudo Sudu' and 'Hada Adara Pem Mandire'.[4]

The film was released in Sri Lanka on 20 October 1949, which was directed by J. P. Sinha. According to Cyril Perera, rumors circulated that he and the lead actress of the film have a relationship. The news that spread even in the studios in India where the Rukmani's husband Eddie Jayamanne also questioned about the truth of the rumor. Eddie came to the studio and made a big fuss saying that it should not be mentioned in the casting that the lead actor Cyril Perera is acting with Rukmani Devi. He was of the firm opinion that the names of the two of lead artists should be removed if his name was to be so placed. Later, a person suggested that the name Cyril Perera should be replaced by another name suitable for cinema, where another person suggested the name 'Aruna Shanthi'.[4][7]

In 1953, he was selected to the main role of the A. B. Raj's film Prema Tharagaya. Later, along with Joseph Wanigaratne, a relative of Aruna Shanthi, he directed the film Deviyani Oba Kohida.[3] Some clergy and laity in the Catholic Church are divided into two groups, and argued about the theme of the film, however the film was screened without any delay. In 1964, he produced the film Sasaraka Hati directed by S. Ramanadan. Even after that, he played various roles in films: Mamai Rajā, Sināsenna Raththaran, Yukthiyaṭa Væḍa, Ali Babā Saha Horu Hathaḷiha, Sihina Ahasē Vasantē, and Ves Valāgath Tharuṇiya. While filming Ran Hadawatha directed by his nephew, Bertrum Perera, he became ill for the first time.[4]

In 1984 at 6th Presidential Award, he won a Merit Award for his role in the film Muhudu Lihini. Then in 1990 at 18th Sarasaviya Awards, he won the Best Performance Award for the film Sinasenna Raththaran.[1]

Legacy

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His children are celebrating with a Commemorative Concert in every year. On 23 December 2017, Aruna Shanthi Concert was held at 4.30 pm at the Auditorium of the Kalutara Divisional Secretariat.[5]

Filmography

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Year Film Roles Ref.
1949 Peralena Iranama Playback Singer, Upali
1953 Prema Tharangaya Premadasa [8]
1956 Ramyalatha Premasiri [9]
1958 Sohoyuro
1959 Ma Aale Kala Tharuniya Panagoda
1960 Vana Mala
1964 Sasaraka Hati Wimal
1964 Patachara
1965 Sekaya Dharmaratne
1968 Pini Bindu
1973 Hondai Narakai
1974 Duppathage Hithawatha Michael
1976 Nilla Soya
1977 Deviyani Oba Kohida? Director, screenwriter
1977 Chin Chin Nona
1977 Chandi Puta
1978 Tikira Eddie Samarasekara
1979 Jeewana Kandulu
1979 Subhani Screenwriter
1981 Ajasaththa
1982 Sudu Ayya Screenwriter, Ananda's Father 'Loku Unnahe'
1983 Muhudu Lihini
1986 Devduwa
1986 Jaya Apatai
1986 Dinuma Forest Inspector
1987 Raja Wadakarayo Police Chief
1987 Obatai Priye Adare Silva
1988 Angulimala
1988 Satana
1988 Ko Hathuro
1989 Mamai Raja Father of Ruwan
1989 Obata Rahasak Kiyannam
1989 Sinasenna Raththaran
1990 Chandi Raja
1990 Honda Honda Sellam Geeta and Neeta's father
1991 Paaradise
1991 Weda Barinam Wadak Na
1991 Sihina Ahase Wasanthaya
1991 Hithata Dukak Nati Miniha
1991 Raja Sellam
1991 Esala Sanda
1991 Ran Hadawatha
1991 Alibaba Saha Horu Hathaliha
1992 Sakvithi Raja
1992 Chandi Rajina
1992 Kiyala Wadak Na Siriwardena
1992 Me Ware Mage
1992 Sinhayangeth Sinhaya Mr. Peiris

References

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  1. ^ a b "Aruna Shanthi filmography". Digital Identity of Sinhala Cinema. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Aruna Shanthi who joined in singing and acting". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Aruna Shanthi came straight to the silver screen from school". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Cyril Perera becomes Aruna Shanthi due to the 'Peralena Iranama'". Divaina. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "The song 'Sudo Sudo in Olu Male' sung by my father is still popular today: Sumith Shanthi". Silumina. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  6. ^ "Devdas in Sri Lanka was our father: Sumith Shanthi, son of Aruna Shanthi". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Stories from our art world – Part 3". lifie. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Torana releases three films in DVD". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Devdas Sinhala Translation: Ramyalatha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
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