H. A. Perera

H. A. Perera
එච්. ඒ. පෙරේරා
Born
Habarakadage Alosius Perera

(1950-05-10)10 May 1950
Balangoda, Sri Lanka
Died4 February 2010(2010-02-04) (aged 59)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationDe La Salle College
Kotahena Central College
Occupation(s)Actor, Director
Years active1973–2007
AwardsBest Actor

Habarakadage Alosius Perera (10 May 1950 – 4 February 2010 as එච්. ඒ. පෙරේරා), popularly as H. A. Perera, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre, and television.[1] He is considered one of five actors who have dominated the Sri Lankan Stage by critics.[2]

Early years

Perera was born on 10 May 1950 in Colombo, Sri Lanka as the second child in a family of five. His mother was Palagame Arachchige Mary Theresa and his father was Habarakadage Vincent Perera. He started primary education at Modera St. James's Primary School.[3] He studied at the same school until the second grade and entered the De La Salle College, Modara from the third grade. Educated at De La Salle College up to Ordinary Level, he entered Kotahena Central College to study for Advanced Level.[4]

Perera died on 4 February 2010, aged 59, in hospital after a brief illness.[5][6] His remains were kept at the Jayaratna Funeral Parlour from 5 February 2010. The funeral was held at the Madampitiya cemetery in Modera at 5.00 pm on 7 February 2010.[7] He was survived by his sister.[8]

Career

Perera made his way through several higher education schools and completed his studies in London. He first joined the street drama troupe of Gamini Haththettuvagama and made his first stage play Wedikkarayo.[4] In 1973 he joined his first theatrical group. Perera joined Ranga Shilpa Shalika conducted by Dhamma Jagoda at Lionel Wendt Art Centre, to study music but found his career changed to acting.[9]

Rajjiruwo Udai Udai was his first short-stage play. He acted in stage plays such as Bosath Dekma, Raja Dekma, Spartacus, Wedikkarayo, and Julius Caesar.[10] He portrayed Jesus in Niriella's first film, Palamuveniya saha Anthimaya.[11] In 1987, he appeared in the film for which he is best-remembered, Sumitra Peries' Sagara Jalaya Madi Haduwa Oba Hinda. He directed music in Niriella's stage plays and was the first instructor of Jana Karaliya. [citation needed][12][13] At the 1981 Youth Drama Awards, Perera won the Best Musical Direction Award for the play Numba Vitarak Thala Eḷaluyi and then won Sarasaviya Award for Best Actor for the 1990 film Sagara Jalaya Madi Haduwa. In 1996, he won the State Drama Award for Best Actor for the stage play "Warenthuwa".[4]

In 1982, Perera made his television debut with a role in Janelayan A Amutha. Subsequently, Perera has been a regular on television serials appearing in Doo Daruwo, Ingammaruwa, Nedeyo, Yaśōrāvaya, Kaḍa Ima, Senehevanthayō, Sūriya Daruvō among others.[14] Especially his role of "Mr. Dias" in the serial Doo Daruwo, in particular, is an extraordinary figure who once immersed himself in society.[4][15]

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref.
1991 Keli Madala Poojitha Tennekoon
1991 Kulageya Surrie
1980 Sasaraka Pathum
1983 Hasthi Viyaruwa
1985 Rajina
1986 Koti Waligaya
1988 Sagara Jalaya Madi Handuwa Oba Handa Pina
1989 Siri Medura Gunapala
1990 Palama Yata Rex [16]
1994 Meeharaka Andiris
1998 Dehena
1998 Vimukthi Underworld Thug
2000 Indrakeelaya
2008 Siri Raja Siri Himself

References

  1. ^ "Workshop in memory of H.A. Perera". Retrieved 2022-01-14 – via PressReader.
  2. ^ "Five Actors who have dominated the Sri Lankan Stage". Munchee daily. Archived from the original on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  3. ^ "Remembering H.A. Perera". Retrieved 2022-01-14 – via PressReader.
  4. ^ a b c d "H.A. and Pathiraja who left the stage of life". archives.dinamina.lk. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  5. ^ Actor H.A. Perera is dead
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-02-07. Retrieved 2010-02-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "H.A. Perera's funeral on Sunday". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  8. ^ Sujeewa. "Habarakadage Aloysius Perera alias Pavel Korchagin of our time". mirrorarts.lk. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  9. ^ Dailynews article Archived 2011-06-04 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "www.divaina.com". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2010-02-11.
  11. ^ "The first Sinhala drama to premiere in a foreign country". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  12. ^ 'Makkal Kalari' (Jana Karaliya) Archived 2011-06-04 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Music Director H.A.Perera Archived 2011-07-26 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ "Inganmaruwa: sees changes". Sunday Times. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  15. ^ Lifie.lk (2019-09-27). "Dear dads on the small screen never to be seen again". Lifie.LK. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  16. ^ "All about the film "Palama Yata"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-22.