Rodney Warnakula

Rodney Warnakula
රොඩ්නි වර්ණකුල
Born
Warnakula Patabandige Rodney Priyantha Perera

(1961-04-24) 24 April 1961 (age 63)
Ja-Ela, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
Occupation(s)Dramatist, Actor, Singer, Comedian, Dubbing artiste, Commentator
Years active1981–present
SpouseErani Warnakula
ChildrenHarshani Prasangika
Samadhi Upekshika
Eron Lakdeepa

Warnakula Patabandige Rodney Priyantha Perera, (born 24 April 1961 as රොඩ්නි වර්ණකුල) [Sinhala]), popularly known as Rodney Warnakula, is a Sri Lankan actor, comedian, singer, and dubbing artist.[1][2][3]

Family

Warnakula was born on 24 April 1961 in Ja-Ela, as the son of Aloy Warnakula, an actor, and Annie Jayakodi, a housewife. He made his stage debut in Lucien Bulathsinhala’s 1981 drama Tharavo Igilethi. He is married to Erani Warnakula. They have two daughters and a son.[4] His elder daughter Harshani Prasangika is a dancing teacher, his second daughter is Samadhi Upekshika and his youngest is his son, Eron Lakdeepa.[5][6]

Career

In 1980, The Tower Foundation conducts a drama course with lecturers from Shanti Niketan, India by selecting 100 participants. Warnakula was selected for that group and successfully completed the course. Later one of the lecturers in the course, Anula Bulathsinhala invited him to participate for the stage play Tharavo Igilethi.[7]

Warnakula has performed in over fifty stage plays, fifteen teleplays and twenty films, in addition to being a popular television actor. His most popular television acting came from Bodima and Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni. He also hosted Raigam Game Show several times which was telecasted on ITN. He and actor Rodney Fraser appeared together in the comedy series Two Rodneys, which was telecast on Sirasa TV.[8] Warnakula has also enjoyed a lengthy singing career.

On 20 October 2011, Warnakula organized a musical night Sanda Eliyen Ada, to celebrate his 30 years of acting career. On that day, he launched his new music DVD, and the show was celebrated at the New Hall of Royal College, Colombo.[9] On 18 May 2018, Warnakula organized a singing concert named Three Faces along with Kumara Thirimadura and Saman Lenin to celebrate his 37 years of stage drama career. The show will be held at the BMICH.

In 2020 during the CoVID-19 quarantine curfew period, his Facebook account has been hacked. Then, his Facebook friends and fans received messages asking for money by saying that he has a critical money emergency. However, Warnakula got informed about the hacker and sent messages not to give money. Later Warnakula made a new Facebook page.[10] To celebrate his 40 years of drama career, he wrote his autobiography titled "Roddage Warna Kulaya".[11]

Selected television serials

  • Alli and Galli [12]
  • Bodima
  • Dara Garage
  • Dese Disnaya[13]
  • E Brain[14]
  • Laa Sanda Pamula[15]
  • Love You Boss
  • Naana Kamare
  • Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni
  • On Ataka Nataka
  • Raja Kaduwa
  • Satakapata
  • Sayaweni Patumaga [16]
  • Sedona[17][18]
  • Vinoda Samayan[19]
  • Wada Bari Daasa[20]

Selected stage dramas

Filmography

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Role Ref.
2002 Bahubuthayo Bunty
2004 Clean Out Wickie
2007 Ran Kevita Devil
Sikuru Hathe Sirimal
2009 Sir Last Chance Detective
Sinasuna Adaren Lara
2010 Tikiri Suwanda Suran
2011 Ethumai Methumai Bothal Sira
2012 Wassane Senehasa Siripala
Super Six commentator Rodney
2013 Peeter One Waiter Jonty
Seetha Man Awa Gayida
2014 Supiri Andare Salman Khan
2015 Gindari Bunty
Suhada Koka Sumanasiri
My Name Is Bandu Raju
2016 Natannethuwa Dinna Premayaa
2017 Ali Kathawa Kinnara leader
2019 Sikuru Yogaya Piyadasa [27]
President Super Star multiple roles [28]
2022 Gindari 2 Bunty [29]
2023 Kathuru Mithuru Wilson's assistant [30]
2024 Weerya [31]
Jobless Douglas Douglas [32]
TBA Ela Dabala † Gnanapala [33]

Discography

Solo Tracks

No.TitleLength
1."Apa Koheda Me Yanne"01.48
2."Araliya Uyane"04.08
3."Banandiye Mage"03.05
4."Bodoskiya Mage Bodoskiya"02.33
5."Dangara Waliga" (Cartoon theme song)02.01
6."Demassino" (with Bandula Wijeweera)02.15
7."Dugiyane Ahapalla"03.50
8."Galkiriyagama Awudin"03.59
9."Giya Hakurata"01.46
10."Handannepa Handannepa"02.48
11."Hima Giri Arane"03.53
12."Ira Handath Nagei" (with various artists)03.20
13."Iti Pilimayak Wage"02.08
14."Kakulu Sahal Pitiyenda"02.20
15."Kanden Panala"03.33
16."Kaanuwe Ipadila" (Mee Pura Wasiyo stage drama song) 
17."Kavikara Hadakara Katakariye"02.24
18."Kehel Malak Kehel Kotuwe"03.26
19."Malmada Biso Ithin"03.45
20."Neela Chanchala Dasa"03.45
21."Iguru Paan Malliya" (Cartoon theme song)01.27
22."Ohelage Pihiten" (with Granville Rodrigo)01.39
23."Samanmali Mage Mali" (Sikuru Hathe film song)04.14
24."Onna Ithin Api Enawa"02.56
25."Peenanna Wage" (with Walter Fernando)04.37
26."Porakana Lokaya"03.24
27."Rathu Hatte Palal"02.24
28."Sawan Yoma Asanne" (with Anton Jude)02.41
29."Sawimath Kala Daruwan"04.55
30."Siri Sangadasa Mahathmaya"03.48
31."Siriyawi Nubawa Mama"03.26
32."Sithumina Obai"04.13
33."Sundara Me Ranga"02.06
34."Sundara Watha Numba"03.03
35."Sundari" 
36."Swarna Sanda Bondawee"04.53
37."Thagi Boga"02.02
38."Yaluwo Maluwo Yaluwo"02.35
39."Yami Yanta Den Mama"03.42
40."Yasa Isuru" (Ratu Hattakari Stage drama song)03.21
41."Daana Sellam" (Suhada Koka film song)03.54
42."Ennako Gannako"03.06
43."Nawen Apu" 
44."Palagantiya" 
45."Pani Kurullo (theme song of Okkoma Hondatai teledrama)" 
46."Dannawada Kauda Loke (Film song of Sir Last Chance with Vijaya Nandasiri and Anton Jude)" 
47."Bodima Bodima (theme song of Hulan Gedara teledrama)" 

References

  1. ^ "Comedians of Sinhala Cinema". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  2. ^ "ඇත්ත තේරෙද්දි එයාලා වාෂ්ප වෙලා ඉවරයි - රොඩ්නි වර්ණකුල". deshaya.lk. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  3. ^ "මාව අමතන්නෙත් ඒ චරිතය තුලින්". lankadeepa.lk. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  4. ^ "On Stage-Drama on Real Life". The Nation. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  5. ^ "House of Rodney-Irani". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  6. ^ "A funeral if you dive into the water!". Deshaya. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Rodney Warnakula celebrates 27 years in Naribana". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Funny questions of Two Rodneys". Two Rodneys. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  9. ^ "Rodney completed 30 years". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  10. ^ "Rodney Warnakula in the hands of a hacker". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  11. ^ Sahan (11 September 2021). "Roddage Warna Kulaya". Divaina. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  12. ^ "'Alli and Galli': Hilarious tale on Swarnavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  13. ^ "Dese Disnaya on location". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  14. ^ "E brain is ready". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  15. ^ "Nadeeka's first direction". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  16. ^ "Swarnavahini turns to 'Sayaveni Patumaga'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  17. ^ "Sedona now on DVD". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  18. ^ "'Sedona' : Wasanthi in a dual role". Sunday Times. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  19. ^ "Vinoda Samayan by Ariyadasa Pieris". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  20. ^ "Wada Bari Dasa on TVDerana". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  21. ^ "Gajaman Nona comes back to stage again". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  22. ^ "Jayalal Rohana's Gondola on 13th". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  23. ^ "'Naribena with Jasaya and Lenchina'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  24. ^ "Madhura Jawanika on 13th". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  25. ^ "Sinhala musical play at Wendt9". Sunday Times. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  26. ^ ""Sudu Redi Horu" - showcases Lanka's rich cultural heritage". The Nation. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  27. ^ "Sikuru Yogaya coming tomorrow". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  28. ^ "The presidential stage where four people are competing". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  29. ^ "A devil dance at Pettah". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  30. ^ "Friendship that cannot be cut with any scissors". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  31. ^ "Veerja brings last act of Jude". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  32. ^ "Unemployed Douglas' dream palace - Jobless Douglas". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  33. ^ "Maiden cinema direction by Jagath Epaladeniya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 31 May 2018.