Views: 20
DYNAMIC INDIKA SUBASINGHE TV HOST,ACTRESS IN AN UNBLEMISHED CAREER SPANNING 26 YEARS-by Sunil Thenabadu
An actress who portrays diverse characters in four separate teledramas at any given time with perfect ‘dialog delivery’ ,She should be regarded as a competent and skilled sought after actress. Nishani Indika Subasinghe is this dynamic renowned actress with an acting career of twenty six years to be precise. which she attributes to a God’s precious gift. She portrays diverse roles with different voices as the roles are diverse in the current teledramas telecast in separate television channels in Sri Lanka namely ‘Sihineka Thaniwela’ in ITN,’Aluth Kalliya’ in Swarnavahini, ‘Sihina Thala’ in TV Derana and in the renowned teledrama on TV Derana the ‘Sangeethe”at which she portrays the role of Semini , Aseni’s mother . In a last episode ( 492nd) Indika’a exceptional portrayal at the funeral was hailed by many viewers all around the globe with a record tally of over ten lakhs viewers which is a rare viewer count . Indika for this particular portrayal was applauded and praised by the TV Derana authorities too. The manner Indika shed tears made the scene to look an identical of a real funeral existed making all viewers also shed tears. Her daughter Lehansa domiciled in Georgia studying medicine had also called Indika to convey that she too had shed tears after viewing that funeral scene.It was reported that even the actors and actresses in the cast too had shed tears watching the manner Indika shed tears.Prior to portraying this role of a mother Indika had portrayed the mother’s role in many other teledramas for which she has no regrets and they are all have diverse characteristics. In the teledrama ‘Sihineka Thaniwela ‘ the role of Damayanthi is totally diverse. Some viewers without knowing the scripts are different to one another question how can Indika be different when portraying mothers’ roles, in one very sober and in another arrogant. Once in a role she had dashed rupees five thousand on Mahi’s face, when she came home even her daughter Lehansi had shown displeasure but tolerated as she was her mother.Indika has received about two hundred bad comments which had induced Indika to visit the church and meet the father requesting a prayer also she had made a plea to the director to balance her character role.
Me mage putha
Indika is the eldest sibling in a family of four having two younger sisters and a much younger brother as the fourth sibling. Her father a very strict disciplinarian who was used to beat the elder three siblings for the slightest misdeed found. Sumith Madurage was employed at CTB while mother was attached to the Inland Revenue department. As both were busy at their respective careers the four siblings when young were looked after by an elderly or middle aged servant woman as no young woman was able to handle the mischievous activities of the sisters particularly that of Indika. Father recollects how Indika when young performed her own varied types of activities by using a stick going round the house clad in a mother’s saree acting as a teacher also moves into the neighbouring houses imitating as a teacher. Apart from many other stunts Indika was used to with the help of empty coconut shelves and ropes walks to the amazement of outsiders. Often mother used to complain to father about her mischievous deeds, when father comes with the cane she with other two sibling sisters was used to creep under the bed and move towards the end to escape father’s canning. There were many such complaints which her father related at a television dialogue recently. There had been Jak tree at their dwelling to which Indika had got caught trying to climb with the help of a saree sent down by the servant who had climbed ,for which too she was beaten by father. Once her father had come driving a bus to her dwelling to which Indika and kids had got in , she had managed to start sans the key which father had heard and come to the scene to avoid a certain serious mishap and damage .Indika possessed an extraordinary wicked habit quirk when she used to shift flower pots from one house to other houses. One day after her examinations in the ordinary level Indika and her younger sister had visited a close class girl who visits her dwelling too often in Mt Lavinia close the sea beach during the stormy season which is prohibited. But Indika , sister and friend had just thought of walking on the sea water but suddenly a wave had come and drenched them nearly escaped been washed away. When returning home at around 7.30 pm with friends dresses both were beaten by father.Father had not observed the duo sporting different dresses. However at a television dialogue years later Indika had related this story which her father had heard had punished her properly on returning home. These are few of the mischievous deeds father related also during a television which had in a television dialogue. After father’s retirement from the CTB he had commenced to run a small grocery boutique at a relatives dwelling premises in Kaduwela.Indika had created havoc there too getting involved unnecessarily with a boy resulting father to hand over the shop to a relative.
Indika and two sister siblings had attended Yasodhara Balika Vidyalaya in Kynsey road Borella used to travel to school by the school bus from their dwelling in the Koswatta Talangama area. She disliked Maths hence was adamant to give lame excuses to remain at home which father never tolerated. Often she used to complain of fever to avoid attending school which the strict father never tolerated. There had been instances to show a warm body temperature Indika used to keep under her arm pit garlic .However even when they miss the school bus owing to her such tactics father used to take the three siblings to the bus halt stop a packed bus with his influence with the CTB drivers used to open the drivers door get the three sisters entered to be remain standing the space behind the driving seat.As Indika was weak in Maths father had arranged his friend’s son to come and assist her.But once she got familiar with him she got the tutor too dragged for her mischievous activities, like preparing ‘archcharu’ and eating together neglecting tuition.
Father had been a crazy cinemagoer had quipped used to watch three Sinhala films at three different cinema halls ,once home he had added he used to be puzzled with the stories in them. Indika believes because of his father’s addition to films he may have thought she too would get addicted hence was against her taking up to acting. Indika has had no hereditary affiliations to acting but she possesses a huge innate talent perhaps inherited from her previous lives she believes. Though father loves acting had not got an opportunity to which he deeply repents.
Lately for his insistence Indika and her husband Nilanka had taken him to portray a small role in a teledrama but unfortunately when the script was given to him to read he had failed miserable to which Indika says acting is not easy as ‘dialogue delivery’ could be successfully navigated only with expertise knowledge and practice.This was related at another television program in the Sirasa TV for which father was elated as his former friends and relatives would view him not seen for ages.At the end of the program Indika did say she was very fortunate to participate in that program and also in another television program which he believed she did ample justice to her father.Her mother had passed away in year 2018, her father is still very depressed and mourns does a lot of religious work spending money to evoke blessings on her. Father said he owes his position today to her as it was she who had groomed him to be like this to be calm to possess a moral character as he was earlier an aggressive person.
Indika has had in her mind to become an actress from her younger days had been offered to appear in a television commercial when she was only eight years old.When this advertisement was seen by her school and Sunday school friends she was elated.Her father totally disliked her taking to acting field for the very reason he had heard of many stories how young girls were misled by directors and producers of films. But later he had found if one knows to look without been misled he had given the nod and green light was given to Indika. Once an advertisement had appeared in a local newspaper for prospective candidates to be auditioned for a teledrama workshop of Eranga Senaratne . Indika had gone to Panadura sans the knowledge of her father with mother as he was still then against her entering into the acting profession. After a workshop exercise and performance ,to her amazement cum surprise she was selected to portray a role as the office girl in the teledrama ‘Pathinawa’ shooting was in Kandy to which she had travelled with a friend of hers. At this first instance itself she was fortunate to meet popular actors and actresses like Geetha, Senaka, Ranjan , Sriyantha and Freddie. She recollects getting friendly with Freddie Silva who by looking at her palm he had predicted a celebrated future for her in this field. Very soon she had received another invitation by Eranga Senaratne to portray another role in his teledrama ‘Hiru Soya’ having felt confident and self assured in her previous portrayals to depict a role opposite Sriyantha Mendis as Geetha Kanthi Jayakody’s second daughter, which she did not hesitate to decline in the early decade of 2000 grabbing the opportunity with both hands unhesitatingly. At a recent television program Indika thanked popular teledrama director Shantha Soysa for awarding her a stupendous character during covid era where she was assigned to portray a mother’s role in the teledrama ‘Sihina’ where her husband and son were lunatics hence living with them portraying the role properly was very cumbersome but Indika had navigated over splendidly .Also there have been characters offered to her to portray of elderly women aged sixty five at a time when she was much younger.
During this period before her breaking into this field Indika had commenced studying law and media and communication at the university of Sri Jayewardenepura as her intention then was to serve as a lawyer owing to her ability to speak fluently ,which too had to be delayed and postponed owing to her demand for teledramas. It was during this era that famous teledrama director Nalan Mendis too had approached Indika to portray a role in his teledrama ‘Paradeshaya’ along side Chathurika Pieris as a her companion. Amidst her busy schedules for an application calling for presenters Indika was called to the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation at the invitation of Darshana Piyaratne at which she had triumphed to be an automatic choice.to perform a live for ‘Nugasevena’ as her personality suited for it.At the beginning she was entrusted to read news later positioned her as the co presenter in the morning popular program ,the famous ‘Nugasevana’ with assistance from veteran Amantha Wijesuriya and Lanka Perera which she warmly recollects even today. Later she was asked to present the 3 to 5 pm belt too. With her busy shooting schedules she had excused from SLRC authorities once or twice but could not continue her that prestigious position as teledrama schedules did not permit her hence she had to leave sans as there was no other alternative for her announcing news and the ‘Nugasevana’ presenting opportunities at SLRC.She did add that such a position is a huge discipline needed to focus well which was during the period 2000 to 2001.Indika also had received invitations from Nimal Laxapathiarachchi to do news station, at which time she was puzzled unable to decide. Indika at a recent dialogue at the ITN did say she had achieved many successors sans much toil may be God’s work coming from her previous birth,
The demand for Indika persisted for teledramas also for films and stage plays.Indika was selected to play a role in Gihan Rohana’s teledrama which was shot in Kaduwela at the ancestral home of Nilanka Chaminda Pigera business owner of Ring Cell at Battaramulla whom had commenced business in the year 1996.Her future husband whom Indika had not met earlier though he was in the production side in teledramas, who was initially a band owner, playing many music instruments also a competent vocalist had previously toured Singapore too but had become a businessman owning Ring Cell mobile phone shop in Battaramulla who tours may countries for business promotion endeavours. Many colleagues in the field know Nilanka who is a person who gets friendly with anyone abruptly. Many had known Nilanka closely but not Indika as one who was then relatively new to the field.All were conversing with Nilanka who was then a fat and dark person but possessed pleasant features. Indika had heard he was into mobile phone business was waiting for an opportunity to speak to him.On that day one of her teledramas was telecast at 8.30 pm which she was keen to view. She had reluctantly asked Nilanka for an opportunity to view a television. NIlanka had taken to his married sister’s place a few yards away where Indika had watched the episode and had even fondled with his sister’s toddler baby too she recalled . Nilanka is called ‘Apachchi’ by many artistes as addressed by Indika. Nilanka hardly loses temper unlike Indika who soon lose temper for the slightest thing..His tone as added by Indika is static unlike that of Indika which is brittle and wavery In life for everyone balance in important to which Indika hailed the qualities of Nilanka
After Indika arrived to Nilanka’s ancestral dwelling when he was seated alone near the table Indika had approached him knowing he was a dealer in mobile phones had requested one latest mobile phone for her which he had told will be flying to Singapore in a few days would oblige her. On a subsequent shooting venture in Gihan Rohana’s teledrama ‘Kasi Salu’ in Kandy all artistes were in possession of latest mobiles ,then it struck Indika about the promise Nilanka made to her. When Indika called remembering her request to Nilanka , unfortunately Nilanka had forgotten her request but had said yes he bought, Nilanka had saved Indika’s name as Maduwanthi. recalled Nilanka also in television When Indika visited his shop in Battaramulla Nilanka had parcelled an old phone nicely to look like a new one and handed over to Indika who had immediately taken to her sister’s husband conversant with mobiles who had said it was a second hand one which had upset Indika to unprecedented tall elevations particularly as she had paid rupees twelve thousand for it.
When she had a photo shoot with Sadun Gamage she had excused herself ,Indika in tears had gone to his shop and complained when Nilanka had given her another second hand mobile phone which was again detected to be a second hand one by her brother in law which made Indika thoroughly disgusted and heart broken. This made Nilanka worried who had on his next visit to bought a brand new more expensive phone and called Indika to come and collect. Nilanka had offered her a lift which she accepted knowing Nilanka well had even telephone her father that she is coming home with Nilanka who had bought her a brand new expensive phone.At her dwelling father had got pally with Nilanka who looked very dark with visible silver necklaces around his neck also with silver bangles on his wrists but looked to possess decent with good looks. Father had asked whether he uses any cream on his face, as looked a bit awful. Indika’s sister had peeped to see Nilanka had uttered promptly is he the ‘Kaduwela Sira” .Indika knew well as time progressed Nilanka did have a soft corner had commenced studying him closely. Indika had told Nilanka she cannot cook properly and she will not give up acting until her death. Afterwords Indika’s father had told after speaking to him he appeared to be a guy who could shoulder responsibilities would be a person to be trusted predicting him to be even a husband to Indika as he appeared firm to lead a family.The telephone conversations between the duo continued ,Indika was told by Nilanka about his foreign business tours. Nilanka was very keen to get a word from Indika about the proposal. One day he had told Indika he is flying at 3 am not to bother in calling him as it was time for Indika to sleep.But to his surprise before the flight took off he received an unexpected call from Indika. All these days she had studied Nilanka, his parents and about siblings which was found to be all good. When about to take off Nilanka had asked ‘if I convey my love to you’ what is your answer would be, to which she had given a positive answer to the much relief and delight of Nilanka.
To date Indika had portrayed diverse roles spanning in over a hundred teledramas also in some films and stage plays. Indika after marriage does very little work as duties of a typical housewife as she is most of the time involved in shooting leaving the dwelling in the wee hours of the morning and returning late hence she has hardly any time for domestic work including cooking. Her husband Nilanka handles most of the domestic work including cooking but when he too is busy he buys food from outside. In a recent television interview Indika added she hadn’t done any domestic work for the past two months with her involvement in shooting activities. Indika is very fortunate as Nilanka takes the burden sans any grumbling as before marriage Indika had taken prior permission from Nilanka that she will continue her devoted profession which is in her system. Indika added this gift she has received from God above. Nilanka shoulders all responsibilities of both his and Indika’s. Nilanka is aware of her location when on shoots, in the night he calls to find out whether she receives dinner hence so concerned.
Indika and Nilanka have two children elder son Kalindu Pawara Pigera and Ishini Lehansa Pigera both in early twenties. The duo too do not grumble for the shortcomings of mother as all domestic issues are resolved by father sans much issues. Nilanka and children do not even call Indika when on shooting as she may lose concentration which id vital for Indika to concentrate on her role assigned. The elder son possess a reserved handsome character does not speak much loved by his many friends he is a very talented artist could sing well too, do not like to follow and appreciate mother. He gets information about mother’s acting only from his friends. He is presently employed in the hotel trade has won awards too.As a four month old baby up to his age of four years he had appeared in the ‘Baby Cheramy’ advertisement. ad Younger daughter Lehansa has learnt dancing from Channa Wijewardena dance academy hence could dance well .she could sing very well perhaps inherited from parents She had wanted to become a heart surgeon purely to heal patients is presently following medicine in a university in the Su university in Georgia in USA studying for her MD.She is beautiful too like mother had been invited to portray a lead role in a teledrama by Saman Kumara but had declined .Also she was invited by Sadhana, sister of Supriya to feature in a music video but had refused. She did sing a duet well with father in a television program telecast by Sirasa TV a few years back proving her proficiency in singing too.
Indika in relation to teledrama portrayals has performed in about ten films one or two are yet to be screened. If a director needs to take maximum out of her ability her charge will be optional or mandatory. But her charge would be high for the films for which she is entrusted to perform weird and eccentric roles.In the film ‘President Star’ directed by Udayakantha Warnasuriya she portrayed a role not of much magnitude opposite Sriyantha Mendis as his wife.I this film there were a lot of male and females who starred. In the film ‘Seya’ Indika had portrayed the role of a Muslim girl in which only five girls were cast including Dilhani Ekanayake and Udari Perera.In film of Gamini Hewavitharana ‘Ruwan Tharaka’ in which Indika had portrayed the main role.Then she had portrayed a role in ‘Sankiththa’ film still not completed.. Indika had portrayed a dual role in Keerthi Rathnayake’s film ‘Bradhanaya’ at which she was supposed to go as a villager disguised with long hair as a Muslim lady to negotiate with pretty girls and bring them to a Spa which really runs as a ‘brothel’.at which Indika was the Madam. These girls are thereafter trained to take drugs and to engage in deals.In stage plays Indika had portrayed the main roles in many,The stage play ‘Harima Badu Thunak’ was staged after six months of rehearsals opposite Wasantha Vittachchi directed by Lalith Rajapaksa in which the role was the mother of eleven children one og them was abnormal, This character Indika had accepted after refusing many times.Indika had received a huge compliment from the Gamini in charge of lights that her portrayal was only next to portrayals of Chandra Kaluarachchi.She also portrayed a role in the stage play ‘Nonawaru Samaga Mahathwaru’ of Priyantha Samarakoon, at which the cast comprised of all recognized artistes sans a single novice actors. Indika had portrayed a lead role in ‘Satharawaram’ of Jeevan Handunnetti, then another main role in the stage play ‘Bambara Rajek’ of Priyantha Kahapolaarachchige.Indika has been invited for the play ‘Pathalaye Soldaduwa’ a thirteen times award winning stage drama to depict the role of his sister Avanthi Aponso. Indika has already agreed to portray the lead role in the stage play ‘Psycho’ the script has already in Indika’s possession. Like this the issue with Indika is finding time as she has already work on hand agreed to complete. The above is ample proof that she is a presently a sought after actress as she is rare and valuable to all Directors .
Indika is an exceptional possessing a unique humble personality not proud at all is happy to talk to anyone who speaks to her Indika is an actress who will do her maximum irrespective of the magnitude of the role entrusted. With all colleague actors , actresses and all supporting staff she is moves cordially. If in case an environment is not conducive to her she makes the environment as much as familiar to her sans hurting anyone. Indika believes in God all what she has gained to her life in this profession is absolutely God’s work. Indika gives her maximum to all roles entrusted to her discharging them with supreme dedication. Indika is a person who somehow stays happy at home also with colleagues in relation to whatever happens in the world outside. Indika is a prominent figure in the entertainment arena could find her on twitter, wheree she shares updates, on Instagram she shares personal moments interacts well with followers. All her fans would wish her good health and strength to withstand force , energy and pressure with physical power , mental fortitude.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane 0061444533242 e mail sthenabadu@hotmail.com
