Joe Abeywickrama

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joe Abeywickrama
Joe Abeywickrama (1927-2011).jpg
Born
Gammana Patabendige Don John Abeywickrama

June 22, 1927
Lellopitiya, Pelmadulla. Ratnapura
Died21 September 2011(2011-09-21) (aged 84)
NationalitySri Lankan
OccupationActor
Years active1955-2011
Known forCrowned king of Sri Lankan cinema
Notable work
Saraiya in Saravita
Vannihamy in Pura Handa Kaluwara
Silindu in Baddegama

Deshabandu Gammana Patabendige Don John Abeywickrama (Sinhala:ජෝ අබේවික්‍රම) (22 June 1927 – 21 September 2011), popularly as Joe Abeywickrama, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television.[1] Initially famed as a comedic actor in early 1950s, Abeywickrama became one of the greatest film actors of alltime in Sinhala cinema with several critically acclaimed award winning dramatic performances.[2][3][4][5]

He has won 18 Sarasavi Awards and Presidential Awards.[6] At the 1999 Singapore International Film Festival, Abeywickrama won a Silver Screen Award for Best Asian Actor for his portrayal of a grieving father in Pura Handa Kaluwara (English: Death on a Full Moon Day), a first for a Sri Lankan.[7]

He is also widely known as a Crowned king of Sri Lankan cinema history and he was the second to die of the three crowned cinema heroes. (the first cinema king to die was Gamini Fonseka and last of three to die was Tony Ranasinghe.[8] He is the first Sri Lankan actor to ever participated for Filmfare Film Festival, where he participated in 1966.[9]

Life and career[]

Early life[]

Abeywickrama was born in Lellopitiya (near Ratnapura), Sri Lanka and grew up in a rural area. He was the eldest of four children. His surroundings instilled in him a strong appreciation of nature and hard work.[10]

Abeywickrama graduated from St. Aloysius' College and Sivali Central College in Ratnapura. In the 1940s he settled in Colombo and started working for Sirisena Wimalaweera's studio Nawajeewana. Initially limited to doing office chores, Abeywickrama eventually became involved in films screened in Ratnapura by the studio. He made contacts with film industry insiders while with the studio, and on his leave obtained a role in Devasundari.[11]

Film actor[]

Abeywickrama has acted in more than 150 films and began his acting career in stage plays and made his film acting debut in ‘Devasundari’ in 1955.[4] Abeywickrama's first notable role was in Saradama as an eccentric police officer who collected ants. He obtained the role with the help of his friend Florida Jayalath and considers it to be his first real role and a turning point in his career. After Saradama Abeywickrama was in demand as a comedic actor.[11]

Abeywickrama began taking more dramatic roles with Shesha Palihakkara's Saravita, an award-winning film. With D. B. Nihalsinghe's Welikathara Abeywickrama continued in this field. In the 1971 film he portrays the stern Goring Mudalali.[11] He also starred in Mahagama Sekera's Tun Man Handiya in 1970. Until his death, he has acted in 172 films where 62 of them as leading actor and rest 110 as a supporting actor.

Author[]

Abeywickrama published his first novel Maha Bambata Muhunu Dekai in 1972.[10]

Filmography[]

Year Film Role Ref.
1957 police officer
1959
1959
1959
1959
1960 [12]
1960
1961
1962 Ranmuthu Duwa Sena [13]
1962 Deva Sundari
1963
1963
1964
1964 Getawarayo Semanaris
1964
1964
1965 Chandiya Peda [14]
1965
1965 Saaravita Bamunusinha Arachchige Gunahamy 'Saraiya' [15]
1965
1965 Kapila [16]
1965 [17]
1965
1965 Mohan
1966
1966 Polbemuna
1966
1966
1966 Rala [18]
1966
1966 [19]
1967
1967
1967
1967
1968 Sena
1968 Akka Nago
1968 Amathikama Mudalali
1968 Dahasak Sithuvili Sunny [20]
1968 Adarawanthayo
1968 Ataweni Pudumaya
1969
1969
1969 Narilatha Alpenis [21]
1969
1969
1969
1969
1969
1969
1969 [22]
1970
1970
1970 Tun Man Handiya Abilin
1971
1971 Welikathara Goring Mudalali
1971 [23]
1972 Father
1972
1973
1973 Thushara [24]
1973
1974
1974
1974
1975
1975
1974 Abeywickrama [25]
1975 Berty [26]
1975 Sadhana
1975
1975 Desa Nisa Nirudaka [27]
1976 Wasana
1976 Madol Duwa Dharmasinghe gurunnanse [28]
1976 Kolomba Sanniya Andare
1976 The God King Swami
1976
1976
1977 Alwis [29]
1977
1977 Simon [30]
1978 Gehenu Lamai [31]
1978 Chanting man
1978
1978 Gajanayake
1978 Veera Puran Appu Gongalegoda Banda
1978 Bambaru Avith Anton Aiya
1978
1978 Dharme
1978
1979 Vimal
1979 Vayya, Diyathalan Mama [32]
1979
1979 Samantenne Arachchi
1979 Winson
1979 Sugath
1980 Detective Serasinghe
1980 Suminda
1980 Wilson [33][34]
1980 Seetha
1980 Bertholameus
1980 Siribo Aiya
1980 Siripala
1980 Dandu Monara Jinapala
1980
1980
1980 Sinha
1981 Kolam Karayo Saarapala
1981
1981 Baddegama Silindu [27]
1981 Fish salesman
1981 Soldier
1981
1981
1981
1982 Doctor Siri
1982 Shooter
1982
1982 Daasa
1982 Sunny [35]
1982 Rail Guard
1982 Kadaunu Poronduwa Hemapala
1983
1983
1983
1983
1983
1983
1983
1983
1983
1983
1984
1984 Lavuris
1984 Podi Ralahami
1984
1984
1984
1984
1985 Suddilage Kathaawa Ex-Village Headman [36]
1986 Simion [37]
1986 Mohomed
1986 Jamis (the executioner)
1986 Aadara Hasuna Army officer (Colonel)
1987 Jayasena, Aravinda's father [38]
1988 Hitler Abeynayake
1988 Angulimala Disapamok
1990 Uncle [39]
1991 Podi Mahaththaya
1991 Cheriyo Doctor Chief psychiatrist
1991 Appuhamy
1992 The eldest brother
1994 Doctor
1995 Awaragira K.B. Sethigala
1995 Cheriyo Captain Captain Doson
1996
1996 Mr. Palihawadana [40]
1996 Cheriyo Darling Chief psychiatrist
1996 Senaka
1997 Blacksmith
1998 Vimukthi
1999 Theertha Yathra Father [41]
2000 Saroja Indigenous doctor [42]
2000 Rajya Sevaya Pinisai Sumanasekara
2001 Purahanda Kaluwara Vannihamy
2001 Aswesuma Guneris – old age
2006 Dheewari Mudalali
2009 Alimankada
2010 Tikiri Suwanda Devendra
2011 Mahindagamanaya
2011 Selvam Sathyavelu
2012 Prathiroo Siyathu
2013 Abhinikmana Buddhadasa's Father

Awards[]

Presidential Film Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1965 Getawarayo Merit Award [43] Won
1966 Saaravita Best Actor[44] Won
1982 Beddegama Best Actor [45] Won
1983 Malata Noena Bambaru Best Actor Won
1986 Contribution to cinema Rana Thisara Award [46] Won
1987 Maldeniye Simieon Best Actor [47] Won
1991 Palama Yata Best Supporting Actor Won
1992 Golu Muhude Kunatuwak Best Actor Won
1993 Umayangana Best Actor Won
1997 Bithu Sithuwam Best Actor Won
1998 Bithu Sithuvam Best Actor [48] Won
2001 Purahanda Kaluwara Best Actor Won

Presidential Film Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1979 Bambaru Evith Merit Award [49] Won
1980 Wasanthaye Dawasak Best Supporting Actor [50] Won
1981 Siribo Ayya Best Actor [51] Won
1982 Beddegama Best Actor Won
1983 Malata Noena Bambaru Best Actor [52] Won

Singapore International Film Festival[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1999 Pura Handa Kaluwara Silver Screen Award for Best Actor Won

Presidential Film Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1999 Contribution to Drama U.W. Sumathipala Lifetime Won
2000 Imadiya Mankada Best Teledrama Actor[53] Won

Sri Lankan National Honours[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2005 Contribution to Drama Deshabandu[54] Won

References[]

  1. ^ "Comedians of Sinhala Cinema". Sarasaviya. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Remembering Joe". sundaytimes. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  3. ^ "The struggle of the common man for self-dignity is very profound". World Socialist Web Site. Retrieved December 18, 2006.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Joe Abeywickrama passes away" Archived 2011-10-25 at the Wayback Machine. Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Retrieved August 05, 2014.
  5. ^ "Joe Abeywickrama the actor extraordinaire" Archived 2014-08-08 at the Wayback Machine. Sunday Observer (Sri lanka). Retrieved August 05, 2014.
  6. ^ "Sinhala Cinema database" Films lk.Retrieved August 05, 2014.
  7. ^ "Awards for Joe Abeywickrama". Internet Movie Database Inc. Retrieved December 18, 2006.
  8. ^ "Trinity of Sinhala cinema". Divaina. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  9. ^ "First Sri Lankan to participate Filmfare - ෆිල්ම් ෆෙයාර් උලෙළට ගිය මුල්ම ලාංකික නළුවා". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b "Meet Joe Abeywickrema, the writer". Sunday Times. 1998. Retrieved 2007-05-19.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Face of a thousand expressions". The Nation. 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-05-19.
  12. ^ "All about the film "Nalangana"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  13. ^ "All about the film Ranmuthu Duwa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  14. ^ "All about "Chandiya"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  15. ^ "All about Saravita". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  16. ^ "All about the film "Allapu Gedara"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
  17. ^ "All about the film "Satha Panaha"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
  18. ^ "All about Seegiri Kashyapa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  19. ^ "All about "Parasathu Mal"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  20. ^ "All about Dahasak Sithuvili". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  21. ^ "All about Narilatha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  22. ^ "Romeo Juliet Kathawak". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  23. ^ "Invaluable Haara Lakshe". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  24. ^ "All about the film "Thushara"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  25. ^ "All about the film "Suraya Surayamai"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  26. ^ "He left me: Sikuruliya". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  27. ^ Jump up to: a b "Lester-Sumithra cinema on mini-screen". Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  28. ^ "All about Madol Duwa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  29. ^ "All about "Hithuwoth Hithuwamai"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  30. ^ "Siripala and Ranmenika highlighted the poetic mind of the misguided man". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  31. ^ "සදා මේ සංසාරේ අපේ හමුවීම නොවේ: ගැහැනු ළමයි". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  32. ^ "All about the film "Hingana Kolla"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  33. ^ "'Ektem Ge' on Rupavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  34. ^ "We will alone in Ektam Ge". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  35. ^ "All about the film "Malata Noena Bambaru"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  36. ^ "All about the film "Suddilage Kathawa"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  37. ^ "'Maldeniye Simeon' back after 20 years". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  38. ^ "All about Viragaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  39. ^ "All about the film "Palama Yata"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  40. ^ "Loku Duwa appears on Rupavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  41. ^ "'Theertha yatra' goes in search of family roots". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  42. ^ "'Saroja': tale of two small girls". Sunday Times. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  43. ^ "Road to Prestige 1964-2018". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-09.
  44. ^ "Road to Prestige 1964-2018". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  45. ^ "Road to Prestige 1964-2018". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-09.
  46. ^ "Road to Prestige 1964-2018". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-09.
  47. ^ "Road to Prestige 1964-2018". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-09.
  48. ^ "Road to Prestige 1964-2018". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  49. ^ "1979 Presidential Award Winners". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  50. ^ "1980 Presidential Award Winners". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  51. ^ "1981 Presidential Award Winners". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  52. ^ "1981 Presidential Award Winners". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  53. ^ "1979 Presidential Award Winners". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  54. ^ "National Honours Ceremony". Government of Sri Lanka. 16 November 2005. Archived from the original on 10 July 2006.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""