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FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AWARD WINNING NAYOMI TAKSHILA NOW OWNER OF NAYOTHA INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED CREAMS FROM NILMANEL FLOWERS- by Sunil Thenabadu
Ivana Hennedige Nayomi Thakshila the award winning renowned stage and tele drama actress who moves with each and everyone in the industry intimately is a native of a remote village Nellikulama close to Anuradhapura born on 1st January 1999 to modest parents has two elder sisters and one elder brother as siblings, she been the ‘bada pissa’ of the family. Elder siblings have all tied the respective nuptial knots, to date Nayomi has eight loving teenage 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 ‘Sugarcane’ which the family used for making many types of edibles even ‘juggery’. Nayomi’s ancestral home has an attractive ‘flora’, with full vegetation.
She had educated from the first year to year eleven at Pusiyakulama Balika Maha Vidyalaya . She had confessed that she has had a very enjoyable period during her tenure at this school though she had disliked sports activities. She recollects while in her seventh standard had earned a few rupees by chanting ‘Jayamangala Gatha’ at village weddings. Also when she needed money had joined with a young boy Sameera living next to her dwelling had collected dried ‘Kohomba’ seeds which were sold to a nearby boutique.
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. She was also clad in saree used to act in front of the mirror at home.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 dreaming of 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 Vijayaba Maha Vidyalaya in Anuradhapura and thereafter at Swarnapali Balika Maha Vidyalaya in Colombo essentially to study art and drama for her university entrance. When she commenced studying with the Colombo based girls she realized the intelligence levels of them were very tall in relation to the students in her village schools. Sadly , she had failed entrance to a university to pursue higher studies just by a miniature margin. From Nayomi’s younger days she wanted to come to Colombo as she knew if she wanted to show progress in life had to leave the village as she knew there were no facilities in comparison to that in the city schools. Nayomi was adamant to achieve many goals which she could not achieve in the village She believed for her to change her life and elevate her position in life she had to come to Colombo. By coming to Colombo Nayomi adds she elevated one step in her life..Those in her village and beyond though they scrolled up and down the Facebook pages never even had thought like Nayomi to leave the village perhaps not afforded opportunities..She has confessed for a merit received from a previous birth she got this break she drowsed for. Nayomi feels for many villages as they remain static in their positions sans even proper food most of them married having many children to feed but have no proper income. Nayomi really feels for these destitute villagers , she has in time to come an idea when she is financially on a better footing to form a society with others to help to upgrade their living standards also find opportunities to come to Colombo and to earn through agricultural activities . Nayomi emphasized that for the destitute villagers are devoid of working capital to even start a agriculture project though lands are available in abundance. Also they do not have the know how which have to be understood and remedies found.
For her decision in moving to Colombo her father had totally disliked but her mother had given the green light as she was confident Nayomi would look after herself. 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 which she had watched which had inspired her to tall unparalleled 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 Siriwardena with 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 was a bit 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 she adores taking time off at least once in forty days. Nayomi believes she relieves tension after hectic shooting sessions when she comes to Nellikulama dwelling surrounded by the Nilmanel cultivations.
She had been selected for this gruelling course of five years at the Tower Hall Drama School 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. Though she felt the living was complex in Colombo she soon got familiarized to it. Nayomi had somehow pacified her parents by confirming that she will look after herself. The biggest challenge Nayomi and her two friends faced then was crossing the road not used to the colour lights system. The fervent wish of the parental duo was for Nayomi to become a competent teacher in Drama and theatre which was the duo’s ultimate dream. Nayomi after completing her course but she had to sit for the diploma examination when only 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 sustain in the field. She believes if she gets a teaching appointment after she begins a family she could be stable and steady. However sadly she after accepting the appointment as a drama teacher at Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya Borella had quit after just seven months owing to her demanding acting involvements.
The drama gruelling course involved 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 teledrama “Meedum Amma”. Nayomi recollects as an amateur, veteran Malini Fonseka had guided her well while portraying her lead female role. After viewing her portrayal her father who was a bit against knew she was on a correct path. Simultaneously as she was not allowed to take part in many stage dramas having portrayed roles in seven 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 abandoned 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 over one million to clinch this prestigious award as the most popular actress been justly 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 very much greater. She had confessed that in year 2016 she had been nominated for the best actress’s award which too was an achievement in 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’ (a mega teledrama, a turning point in her career ), ‘Thodu’ ,No Parking , Theja , Sandaeliya etc winning the hearts of countless 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 whipping many other reputed actresses. There have been instances when three of her tele drama in separate channels were telecast namely ‘Ethulweema Thahanam’, ‘ Jaanu’. .Usually at least on one channel one of her teledrama’s is telecast. Nayomi portrays important roles in many ongoing teledramas Presently on Siyatha TV the teledrama ‘Duwili’ is telecast where she portrays the female lead.
.She had confessed that acting on stage and in Teledramas is totally different, it is the more difficult is acting on stage plays as it is ‘live’. After her triumphs winning awards at the awards ceremonies she had been interviewed by many television channels. Nayomi could sing well as any actress should be proficient in singing. She recently performed admirably in speaking and singing in Siyatha TV ‘Tharu Piri Re” and ITN’s ‘Chat N Music’.Nayomi had been involved in over one hundred and fifty television commercials
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 talents are 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. Nayomi has succeeded an a successful entrepreneur having launched her Nayotha cream products from Nilmanel flowers recently at the Waters edge She has undoubtedly established and proved herself as a foremost figure in the entertainment industry with a robust online presence.
Product launch of Diriya Diyaniya ‘ Nayotha’ eminence products of Nayomi Thakshila as an entrepreneur with ISO certificate was concluded at the Waters Edge, recently in the presence of countless artistes and well wishes .Nayomi had wanted all invitees to feel the impression of the Nilmanel flower existence in the atmosphere which Nayomi added was appropriately sustained which was organized by Niroshan of Rayan creations .of the and well wishes after been researched by many Ayurvedic doctors on the day of her father’s birthday. Which Nayomi believes she had given the most valuable gift to her father .Nayomi feels it the duty of all children is to return to parents the gratitude and sacrifice made in bringing them up.The pioneering innovators of the Nayotha brand products Nayomi attributes to her parents as it was the duo who commenced cultivating the Nilmanel plants initially on a very small scale with supreme dedication forfeiting and sacrificing . Nayomi’s fervent wish was to take their effort to the world. It was the brainchild of Priyadarshana who was responsible for creating this product also this event was proposed and arranged by Nalinda who too sacrificed a lot. She also thanked Lakshitha, Suranga,Sinharage,Nayoma ,Harshana Kasun Senanayake,Amila , Akira Batiks ,Lakmal Sinharage , Sithara ,Danuka Lakitha ,Gyan of creative events and many others for her journey at this event,.
It was her mother who is a staunch devout extraordinary Buddhist who worships Lord Buddha several times a day , who had initially planted a few Nilmanel plants in a mud swamp in the garden in order to harvest Nilmanel flowers to offer the Buddha shrines along with other flowers This was developed unhurriedly yet gradually which was extended over the years to about ten acres land belonging the family assisted by father taking the initiative The Buddhist Temple built by her parents was just behind their dwelling hence the Nilmanel flowers were initially sold to the devotees of that temple. When devotees visited the temple she observed them coming in comfortable expensive cars well dressed felt the lives in Colombo should be at an elevated level which had prompted Nayomi to come to Colombo at any cost if she was to change her life.This exercise to be fruitful needed to spend money and labour to expand to dig huge wells and to pump water with aid of electric motors. This workout provided employment for a few villagers over a period of nearly two decades. The bulk of the flowers before the ‘Covid’ era was purchased by companies dealing with flowers but they had to be closed when the parental duo had to find alternate ways to dispose the Nilmanel flowers. The parents decided to reduce the cultivating areas.Then they commenced to sell them to devotees of Sri Maha Bodhiya at very nominal prices located in the vicinity. There had been a demand for the flowers from numerous quarters in the country hence selling the flowers did not arise as an issue. By then the Nilmanel business had flourished. Thereafter Nayomi had made a page for the Nimanel which yielded positive results .At that juncture it was from the family that sold most Nimanel flowers to temples and devotees. They had even given Nilmanel dansels too .She recollected that for specific pooja’s they have even provided one hundred thousand Nilmanel flowers.The Ruwanseli Seya to which Nayomi has a strong belief had worshipped many times requesting for her to get her what was deprived to her.During every visit the her native village she used to worship the Ruwanweli Seya,when time does not permit while driving to Nellikulum she takes another route to stop at Ruwanweli Seya to at least worship.
Speaking at the launch of the Nayotha products Nayomi added this project her brainchild which she had broadly researched and studied by surfing the internet for over an year. Nayomi found that the products of Nilmanel are valuable for mental and sexual strength , for stress and to become beautiful using the oil and the Nilmanel fragrance The Nilmanel project is taking our flower though not our national flower but recognized from our early days to the world in the form of many types of creams having the ISO certificate.It is learnt that in the past history had revealed that thus flower had been utilized to become beautiful which Nayomi regrets why it was not exploited by past generations. In the past the scent of the Nilmanel flower had been used in Ayurveda for inhaling to cure breathing issues for patients with heart and lung deceases. Nayomi believes in this scenario giving this opportunity to the world through her Nayotha products is unique.and exeptional. The event of the Nayotha products launch was concluded when all invitees were drenched with Nilmanel flowers rain descended by a Drone by m/s creative events. Nayomi currently sell her products online but hopes to commence her own office in a spacious building shortly.
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
