MALINI RANASINGHE “SUPPADEVI MANAME QUEEN” JOINT RECEPIENT OF CERTIFICATE FROM THE GUINESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS INSTITUTION UNPARALLED MERIT YET UNSURPASSED IN ANY FIELD IN THE ANNALS OF HISTORY IN NATIVE SRI LANKA – by Sunil Thenabadu
Malini Ranasinghe nee Silva pseudonym ‘Suppadevi Maname Queen’ born on 19th October 1943 has had her primary and secondary education at Girls High School in Kandy. In school she had been a very bright student though possessed immense innate talent sans any hereditary affiliations to art and culture. In her school as a tradition only English plays of Willaim Shakespeare were staged. But members of the Sinhala literary society including Malini were used to script Sinhalese plays similar to that of Shakespeare plays had staged purely having a deep passion and skills for drama. Malini had studied in the science stream despite having passion acting and singing to unprecedented tall elevations she had triumphed over the university entrance examinations to be elected to the medical college along with three other colleagues at Girl High School Kandy.The parents’ duo of Malini was totally against in her entering medical college in Colombo as there was, then not had a medical faculty in the Peradeniya university. Malini was thus deprived of achieving her dream of becoming a doctor .Nevertheless she was contented to abide by the decision of the parental duo in electing to follow a course in Biology at the Peradeniya university where the surrounding was conducive to her been not at all foreign. This decision later on surfaced the mode for Malini to portray the role of the first Suppadevi acclaimed locally and internationally as the second stage innovation of Professor Ediriweera Sarathchandra after his initial production of ‘Maname’.in year 1956 who was then an undeniable maestro in many fields in script writing, eminent author, looming character possessing an enormous knowledge in the Sinhalese vernacular as well as in many languages like Pali, Sanskrit etc. It is pertinent to mention that later Malini had been groomed and matured under the guidance of this legend for her future exploits. Malini’s parents had not known of her inborn talent for acting had not taken her to witness Sinhalese dramas. The ‘Maname’ drama was Professor Sarathchandra’s first drama endeavour accomplished in year 1956.After her amazing Suppadevi role in Sinhabahu Malini was delegated to portray the role of second Maname queen in the much acclaimed drama “Maname’.In the play Sinhabahu the role of Suppadevi was that of a ‘true lover’, who sacrificed all luxuries in life living in a palace in spite of having a vast love and attachment to his ‘King” father .In summing up it was not the usual monotonous character as one sees in many stage dramas which illustrates amply the proper duties of parents duo and siblings.
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On admission to the biological unit of the Peradeniya university the present day ragging was at a tremendously low retreat with novice entrants were asked to perform trivial acts like to sing a song ,to depict a dance. Offer a flower etc.Malini had been well known at her alma mater and other surrounding schools too as a versatile vocalist conversant for singing songs particularly of celebrated soloist Rukmani Devi when she had sung on request her mates and seniors to precision. Malini had also illustrated her skills amply while lodging in the Hilda Obeysekera hostel building. Her voice and the style of music was acknowledged by all including Terrence Ranasinghe who was in a senior batch of the Arts stream who happened to be the general secretary of the Peradeniya University’s Sinhalese drama board .It is said Terrence too had as a coincidence a true fan of Rukamni Devi having heard songs via music discs. It was during this time Professor Ediriweera Sarathchandra had been scripting his stage play ‘Sinhabahu’ deploying his expertise in the Sinhalese vernacular. Some actors and actresses had already been chosen for the play at that juncture from those in the second year overall students with the assistance of Terrence Ranasinghe and the President of the Sinhalese drama board KH Dharmadasa, The innate talents of Malini were conveyed to Professor Sarathchandra, it was revealed that he has had a young actress in mind to portray the role of ‘Suppadevi’ may have been one who had a stage voice , ability to dance too, which he has had in mind as precise, as acting of course he had the potential to develop any novice via rehearsing. On hearing of Malini singing prowess Professor had wanted her to be brought by the President- Secretary duo to interview when she had gone with her fraternity of around eight undergraduates to meet the legend whom Malini had never met for that matter seen his posture. To Malini’s astonishment he appeared to be small in stature, not a big made personality as she had believed but his face depicted ‘intelligence’ written all over. Malini had watched closely how the other girls rehearsed. Malini was naturally excited in front of this colossal celebrity was unable to think of a song when requested to sing. She did not like to sing a Rukmani Devi song as it would not be liked by the Professor. Only at the third time she had responded having asked the Professor whether to sing a song of Sinhabahu that was practiced by some already selected. Malini had sung it impeccably to impress Professor who had unanimously decided to elect her for the role of ‘Supradevi”.She had been requested to be present at rehearsals daily at 5 pm. According to Professor’s view she was bestowed with all fundamentals of face, frame and voice was designated after an interview in which she sang a song she had heard at rehearsals also a Rukmani Devi folk song, bringing the audience to tears. Terrence and Malini were married just one year after graduation, a Bachelor of Science degree. Malini was attached to as a biology teacher at Kandy Grammar school attached to the department of education, where she was also the Assistant Principal. Also performed as the sectional head in Biology .This was the first phase of her illustrious artistic journey which led to be inscribed in the Guiness Book of World records along with her husband Terrence Ranasinghe for portraying the role of ‘Suppadevi’ and ‘Narrator ( pothegura) over five thousand times during three decades locally and internationally. This certificate worth its value in gold which cannot be gauged as it was the first of its kind bestowed on any individual or individuals leave aside artistes in the annals of Sri Lanka’s history. After Malini was selected along with the rest of the cast have had to rehearse for a gruelling eight months while also attending to lectures which was a a bit of a hazardous task but Malini navigated over them magnificently The inaugural show was held at the Peradeniya Sarasaviya wale indoor auditorium on the 31st August 1961 to a packed audience amidst a shower when many were drenched .The spectacle of Sinhabahu was witnessed by Malini’s parents too on invitation. Though the duo was exceedingly overwhelmed they had not given much encouragement as university academic exertion was precedent to them.After the first showing there were so many accolades from many quarters. All songs Malini sang like ‘Aseta Nethe Dakinata Puthe”,” Gal Lena Bindala”,Anna balan Sanda” ,”Kumatada Sobaniye” .”Muhudu Pathule’ etc while she was portraying protagonists, are admired and sung even today after a period spanning six decades. Malini was later described as an ‘Opera’ singer cum actress as a highest homage for her portrayals and singing.
Legendary actress Malini Ranasinghe demands no specific foreword to admirers of the Sinhala theatre as the first Suppa Devi in Dr Ediriweera Sarachchandra’s eminent theatre production ‘Sinhabahu’ when it made its unveiling in year 1961.To the first post-independence era, the names Suppa Devi and Sinhabahu was synonymous ,became not just domestic names but comprehensive footings illustrative of a novel cultural personality that emerged ..She was born to the parents duo ,father was an entrepreneur while mother was Principal of Junior school of Pushpadana Maha Vidyalaya Kandy. Malini Ranasinghe nee Silva had appeared stage dramas in Maya Devi as ‘Doragama Hamine’ initially in year 1982 and Sudu Karal depicting the female lead role effectively portrayed, in plays by K. B. Herath, winning the best supporting actress award for her `performance in Sudu Karal , it’s for her acting in Dr Ediriweera Sarathchandra’s Sinhabahu, Maname and Wessanthara that she’s best reminisced, her portrayal in Sinhabahu holds out above among them. In addition Malini also, did the background singing in five of Sarachchandra’s dramas after which after portraying roles in Sinhabahu, Maname in the 2nd production as the ‘Maname Queen’, Pematho Jayathi Soko and Vessanthara she had released a compact disc containing all songs she had sung in Professor’s dramas.. Malini had participated in radio plays in addition had portrayed roles in three films and nine teledramas. The three films been Ayoma of Parakrma Niriella when she portrayed the role of Swarna Mallawarchchi’s aunt,’Hemagiri’ of Vijaya Dharmasri as the aunt of Vasanthi Chathurani, then in ‘ Yakshaweshaya as the mother of Sanath Gunatilleke.In a television dialog Malini had lamented that she evades accepting contracts for films as it is very time consuming unlike in stage dramas and tele dramas as significant time is consumed as she is compelled to devote more time to her family which is foremost to her. Relatively in regard to films, Malini had portrayed more roles in Teledramas which are Dharmasiri Pathiraja’s “Hiru Daruwao”,Chandrarathna Mapitigama’s “Irata Handana Mal”,Sudath Devadiri’s ‘Amba Yaluwo’,Bandula Vithanage’s”Diriya Duwa”,Jayalath Manoratne’s “ Sekku Gedera”, Sathischandra Edirisinghe’s “Tikiri Nilame”, Sudath Senaratne’s “Mawakage Geethaya”,Tikiri Ratnayake’s “Sudu Araliya”, also portrayed a role in the English teledrama “Village by the Sea”. Most acclaimed teledrama had been “Mawakage Geethaya”, “Sekku Gedera” and “Amba Yaluw”. Apart from so many felicitations Malini had received several awards. for her portrayal in ‘Maya Devi” Malini has won several awards like at the State drama festival, Sama drama festival, Central province arts festival and Dharmaraja College arts festival. ’
Malini has received many accolades, appreciations and felicitations from several quarters like Pandit WD Amaradewa, Literary giant Buddhadasa Galappatthy,Dr Ediriweers Sarathchandra, all members of Radio 4EB Sri Lanka group station in Brisbane, Fans in Brisbane , Dr Jayalath Manorathna, Buddhadasa Galappatthy , Cine Tharu Reyak 2018, when launching Suppra devi Katha wasthuwa in Colombo, Life time achievement Diamond award organised by Oz Lanka in Brisbane,Sri Lanka Army , all present at her book launch ‘ Suppadevi” etc. There had been several newspaper articles in Sinhalese and English newspapers on her during the past. Despite portraying roles locally and internationally Malini had portrayed vital roles in “Mawakage Geethaya”, Amba Yahaluwo”. and Sekku Gedera” as television dramas.
On 05th February year 2014 Malini paid a huge tribute to mentor Professor Ediriweera Sarachchnadra at the “Punchi Theatre’in Borella in organising “Sarath Chandra Abi Nandana” reminiscing the legendary professor for his immense contribution to art in Sri Lanka which was a tremendous gesture to in conveing gratitude. Malini Ranasinghe launched her official website to coincide with her seventy fifth birthday on 19th October 2018.
Only a very few of our artists have written biographies after their tenures. In the theatre, Henry Jayasena comes to mind but hardly anyone else, and no female celebrity one could think of. Therefore, Malini Ranasinghe’s extensive, narrative-packed biography comes as a landmark. Reading it is like going back to not just another era but to a unique philosophy. She had endeavoured with a lot of perseverance to complete her book titled ‘Suppadevi’.At the book launch she had mentioned the names of many who had come to her rescue, namely Buddhadasa Galappathy, Jackson Anthony, Dr Gunadasa Amarasekera ( chief guest),Nalan Mendis, Bandula Nanayakkarawasam,Nimal Ekanayake, Sarath Amunugama. The foreword and acknowledgement had been written by Buddhadasa Galappaththy and Tillekeratne Kuruwita Bandara.Her brother in law Dr Jayalath Manorathna, just after recovering from his ailment had inserted a series of poems containing meaningful lyrics very useful to the society.A special mention was made to publisher Prem Dissanayake who had made shouldered the entire responsibility. The book had been edited by a literary giant Buddhadasa Galappaththi, but the story is her own scripted to precision included just a collection of famous ,not, many illustrations from the theatre picture appear in the book,
It is that circumstantial nature which makes this account extremely understandable. That, plus the completely relaxed, laid back nature which is the characteristic of the author’s narrative. These are stories, but centered on realities, not fantasy. Nor does she have any cleavers to crush. Malini Ranasinghe comes across as someone to whom life was kind-hearted, starting with a happy childhood followed by a love affair which led to an affable marriage, with the proper breaks coming at the proper moment in her life.
 Prof. Sarachchandra
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Many of those stated are no retentive in the public recall. The story starts with her school days and centres around her parents, siblings and the café owned by her father, a successful entrepreneur running a cafe in Colombo.
“Malini Ranasinghe’s lengthy, narrative-packed biography comes as a milestone. Reading it is akin to going back to not just another era but a culture”
A science graduate, her time at the University of Peradeniya led her to meet two influential figures in her life. Dr Ediriweera Sarachchandra, who invited her to be part of her theatre group, and her future devoted husband and fellow Sinhabahu actor Terence Ranasinghe
Thereafter, her life was centred around Kandy, where she began her career as a schoolteacher. Her in-laws were well versed in English literature an author herself had studied in English medium both at school and university). Her intense affection to her parents is apparent in the room dedicated to author about their final days.
She had written with identical fondness about her tenure in the theatre. Precisely, Sinhabahu became the pivotal point of her life. The opportunities and enthusiasm which rotated across this play and Maname, Dr Sarachchandra’s revolutionary effort, penetrates these pages. Though she had preliminary concerns of singing the tricky elevated notes of Sinhabahu, she succeeded to conquer them with effortless ease. Dr Terence Ranasinghe her spouse was the narrator (Potheguru) in this creation, Jayashri Chandrajith was the lion, Nissanka Diddeniya was Sinhabahu and Yashodhara Sarathchandra was Sinhaseevali.
Extravagance in reminiscence is predictable in this sort of story, to the writer as well as the reader. But there are episodes to prompt many that all wasn’t well with the country, for example when she wrote how her school principal rose to armed JVP gunmen in 1971. But the storyline doesn’t turn dark anywhere. There is an all-prevalent sense of generosity and excellent feel reading through the book.
As all good things must come to an end, the writer and her husband said goodbye to Sinhabahu in 1992 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre . To fill the void, Malini dedicated on time at home, starting with home restoration. The author finally strikes a gloomy message towards the end, when she writes at length about the illness and death of her husband, and the isolation which encircled her subsequently, with their children domiciled overseas to Brisbane.
Terrence Ranasinghe was a staunch old Trinitian , broad based ,character building possessed all round excellence what College imparted. Had possessed an unblemished .Terrence Ranasinghe took with him to the wider stage beyond school an unblemished charisma , encircling resourcefulness which, apart, took him and his wife, Malini, engrossing their names in the Guiness Book of world records for having acted in the same roles in over 5,000 appearances over a period of 31 years as Pothey Guru and Suppa Devi.Terrence marched the world like he strode the stage and went away in full ceremonial dress of grandeur and splendour. No tribute could be made to Terrence is adequate proportions sans referring to his wife, Malini who had been with him under Prof. Sarathchandra in Peradeniya University’s drama society of which Terrence was the Secretary.
However, she does not procure herself in this darkness, while the final chapter is dedicated to cheerier reminiscences of her time as Suppa Devi, and we learn that the names of Malini and Terence Ranasinghe were included in the Guinness Book of Records as the “Most Durable Actor-Actress Duo.” also etched in the memories of all fans of stage plays.The certificate issued by the Guiness Book of World records had been posted to them .Malini had initially received a telephone call to her school confirming the achievement which they had made public via the internet. Malini is also a lyricist had added another feather to her already decorated cap by proving her prowess. The songs which she had penned have been sung by her daughter Dr Kanchamala nee Ranasinghe, Saman Lenin and Dilini Thisari with the title’ Mehi Ipida-Thaththa.
Malini’s daughter Kanchamala had been a bright student in class like the mother had entered the Medical College at the Peradeniya University to fill the void that deprived her mother. While in school she too had participated in school plays and in inter school drama competitions having excelled in singing of course with inherited hereditary affiliations with her innate talent.The dwelling had been close to the Peradeniya Sarasaviya indoor open air auditorium. From Kanchana’s young days she had been used to visiting the open air theatre often which was in walking distance.Many artistes had been known to Kanchanamala as they used to visit their dwelling many times for drama rehearsals. When the cast was to travel outstations very often the ‘Nattya “ bus was a common site. Kanchanamala had later in life had confessed that she was following her mother in portraying many roles mostly the Guiness Recording breaking achievement of the Sinhabahu drama. She had disclosed only after about twenty six years she had conveyed her wish to mother. During her tenure in school in the year 1993 had portrayed a character in the drama ‘Samudra Devi” when she was just sixteen years old.For this role she had been bestowed with a award as the best actress. Kanchamala had passed out as a MBBS doctor in the early decade of 2000.She had been working in hospitals having not much of leisure cum relaxation. She was awarded a scholarship to Australia for her post graduate studies which had successfully completed while doing part time in surgeries had returned to Sri Lanka in year 2014. After her return Kanchamala had surprised her mother saying she had a frenzy to portray her mother’ role of Suppadevi to which she had consented. She had contacted Madam Lalitha Ediriweera had arranged a meeting. She had lent her fullest assistance in providing rehearsals and providing lodging at her home. The play ‘Sinhabahu was exhibited at the Elphinstone theatre in year 2019 where she received accolades from many more or less portraying the Suppadevi role neck to neck with mother Kanchanamala had thanked many who assisted her in particular Jude Srimal who had coordinated. Malini Ranasinghe though Kanchamala had most humbly that added that she cannot challenge her legendary mother or imitate Suppadevi. During her visit to Sri Lanka Dr Kanchanamal had recorded some songs too having inherited mother’s skills.Among the songs that were recorded are “Hedakara Dangakara Kirilliye” to the lyrics of mother Malini Ranasinghe. One other song is titled “ Seevali Ma Molakati Diyani” was also recorded to the lyrics of Buddhadasa Gallapaththi and music by Navarathna Gamage,
All followers of Malini Ranasinghe would wish he good health and longevity and thank her for all the entertainment she had given the public for over five decades.They would undoubtedly also wish Kanchanamala to successfully carry the baton from the mother and entertain the vivid audiences in Australia.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane
email sthenabadu@ Hotmail.com
WhatsApp 0061444533242
