Nayomi recipient of Sumathi and Raigam Telees awards on a scintillating voyage at just twenty four Years old from remote Nellikulama – by Sunil Thenabadu
Nayomi Thakshila the award winning renowned tele drama actress is a native of a remote village Nellikulama close to Anuradhapura born on 1st January 1999 to humble parents has two elder sisters and one elder brother as siblings, she been the ‘bada pissa’ of the family. All elder siblings have tied the respective nuptial knots, to date Nayomi has eight loving nephews and nieces domiciled in the Anuradhapura district.In the dwelling they were brought up has had a few perches of bare land where they had grown many types of vegetables including ‘sugar cane’, ‘plantains’. In an television confrontation she had jested that one day when they visited a family friend, he had given a small branch of ‘Sugar cane’ advising them to grow which had grown wild producing a lot of ‘sugar cane ‘ plants which had produced a vast amount of ‘Ukgas’ which the family used for many types of edibles , even making ‘juggery’. Nayomi’s ancestral home has a lovely ‘flora’, with vegetation.
She had educated from the first year to year eleven at Pusiyakulama Balika Maha Vidyalaya up to year eleven.She had confessed that she has had a very enjoyable period during her tenure at this school though she had disliked sports activities.
Nayomi has had innate talent for drama and dancing though not hereditary.When she was young she had with the next door neighbour Sameera younger to her had performed small dramas, where she used to act for teacher while Sameera was the pupil. Nayomi also recollects that the siblings used to often walk to the ‘wewa’ a few kilometres away to bath.On the way and back home she had been used to performing dancing acts on her walk to and back when then she had even lost her way. Nayomi’s father had been away in Middle East for about five years. During his visits home on vacation he had used to bring cassettes/ discs of films which Nayomi in particular had watched with keen enthusiasm and wanted to emulate as she had this fever for portraying similar roles to the best of her ability also becoming a dancer and an actress.
Nayomi was very interested in drama and art ,when her school had not taught for the higher classes she had taken private tuition to learn dancing which she adored. To satisfy her wish and follow drama and art for her advanced levels she had been educated at Vijaya Maha Vidyalaya and Swarnapali Balika Maha Vidyalaya essentially to study art and drama for her university entrance. Sadly , she had failed entrance to a university to pursue higher studies just by a slight margin.After watching a stage drama for the first time she had been hugely influenced as those stars in tele dramas were portraying roles in the stage play she watched which had inspired her to tall unprecedented elevations.
One of her very good friends she recollects had told her to apply as per an advertisement to the ‘Tower Hall Drama School’ conducted by professionals led by Douglas Ranasinghe and his able team of lecturers. There had been only twenty vacancies, her faithful classmate friend Rasika ,had applied too who had even posted her application as to travel to the post office is a cumbersome journey as a bus comes only every thirty minutes or so. Nayomi had confessed at a television chat that she has only a few other trusted school friends like Deshika,Mallika and Ruwani with them she mixes still and meet them when she opts to go to her village which he adores taking time off at least once in forty days.
She had been selected for this gruelling course at the Tower Hall Drama School for five years.But there were a lot of obstacles as she had never been to Colombo, had to get a place to stay and get accustomed to the living style in Colombo.Nayomi had somehow pacified her parents by confirming that she will look after herself. The fervent wish of the parental duo was for Nayomi to become a competent teacher in Drama and theatre which was their ultimate dream. Nayomi has competed her course but she has to sit for the diploma examination when she would be eligible to teach. She had appropriately confessed that acting may not be permanent as with the advent of new actresses and her ageing she may not be able to dominate in the field.She believes if she gets a teaching appointment after she begins a family she could be stable and steady.
The drama gruelling course had an enormous amount of extensive studies not only on acting but about life, how to mix with the crew from the tea boy to the director and producer in appropriate disciplines. This period was very vital for Nayomi’s future as a stage and a tele drama actress portraying vivid roles which she has achieved with enormous outstanding success winning many awards to date.
While following drama course at the academy initially getting off the blocks she was afforded the opportunity to portray a gigantic role as the daughter of legendary actress Malini Fonseka in the stage play “Meedum Amma”. Nayomi recollects as an amateur, veteran Malini Fonseka had guided her well while portraying her role. Simultaneously as it was not allowed to take part in many stage dramas Nayomi had adopted a strategy to participate in music videos when her demand for acting too was enhanced.However when she was found to be talented Akila Sapumal of the Kelani University had selected for his long stage drama ‘Hina Wela Miniththuwak” for which Nayomi accounted for her first award in the ‘National Youth Awards Festival’ the best actress’s award. Thereafter Nayomi stopped everything to portray the main role of “Uthpalawanna ‘ a short tele drama for the State Drama Festival, as a ‘Meheni Sasana’ with her hair full shaved.
Then with her popularity and talent had been asked to portray the role of Pooja a wicked role which had performed admirably , which paved the way for her to win the Sumathi Tele award for the popular actress in the mega tele drama ‘Neela Pabalu’.Nayomi was really elated as she won this prestigious award by acting in her maiden tele drama in year 2019.She had polled a huge amount of SMS ‘s nearly one million to clinch this prestigious award been somewhat of a novice actress.
After she won the most popular actress’s award she had lamented that for her winning the award was of less interest but for her to view the tears of her beloved parents in the audience, the pleasure was much greater. She had confessed that in year 2016 she had been nominated for the best actress’s award which too was an achievement at her short career.
Subsequently Nayomi had become a sought after actress with many invitations to portray vivid roles like in Tele Dramas like ‘Neela Pabalu’, ‘Thodu’ ,No Parking etc winning the hearts of many audiences.
Another feather in her already decorated cap was when she won the best supporting actress award in the Raigam Telees 2023 for her role in the Tele Drama telecast in the ITN in year 2022 ‘Andun Gira’ when she portrayed the role of ‘Padma’.This was too a tremendous boost to Nayomi’s acting career to win awards beating many other reputed actresses. At present three of her tele drama in separate channels are been telecast namely ‘Ethulweema Thahanam’, ‘ Jaanu’. Nayomi portrays important roles in many ongoing stage plays /She had confessed that acting on stage and in Teledramas are totally different, the more difficult is acting on stage plays.After her triumphs winning awards at the awards ceremonies she had been interviewed by many television channels. Nayami could sing well as any actress should be accomplished in singing.She recently performed admirably in speaking and singing in Siyatha TV ‘Tharu Piri Re” and ITN’s ‘Chat N Music’.
In recent television interviews she has pointed out to the administrators that there are enough and more talented and budding young girls and boys even with more talent than hers, but unfortunately there is no system, coordination by a state body to offer them the opportunity which Nayomi says is very miserable as their talent is not exploited. It is her fervent hope that the authorities should take notice of them.
Nayomi Thakshila in the above context is presently renowned actress well known for her versatile performances and captivating screen presence. She has undoubtedly established and proved herself as a foremost figure in the entertainment industry. With a strong online presence, Nayomi Thakshila actively engages with her fans through social media platforms. One can find her on Twitter , where she shares updates about her upcoming projects and behind-the-scenes glimpses. On Instagram (@nayomi_thakshi) , she shares personal moments, on-set photos, and interacts with her followers through live sessions. Nayomi Thakshila’s official website features a gallery of her photos, video clips showcasing her talent, and a biography detailing her journey in the industry.All her fans would wish her more successes and good health.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane
whatsapp 0061444533242
e mail sthenabadu@hotmail.com
