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REMINISCING CHARACTER ACTRESS SHALIKA EDIRISINGHE’S EXPOLITS ON STAGE, MINI SCREEN AND SILVER SCREEN ON HER SPARKLING UNBLEMISHED VOYAGE OVER TWO DECADES – By Sunil Thenabadu
Shalika better known as ‘Shalu’ iamong her acting field colleagues is a native of Dompe presently residing at Pannipitiya born as Edirisinghalage Shalika Arundathie Edirisinghe to parents Piyadasa and Hemalatha as the fourth sibling having three elder brothers who are all married , living separately with her parents in Pannipitiya. Shalika at her young age recollects she was innocent and a very shy girl had initially attended Dekana Madhya Maha Vidyalaya in Homagama. She had possessed innate talent for dancing, art and drama which is obviously not hereditary. As she grew up she had transformed her previous mannerisms to be a bit belligerent but later she having understood the society better had become very polite and courteous. At her initial school for her inborn talent she was more keen on art like drama and dancing As her mother obviously wanted her to concentrate more on studies Shalika’s mother has got her entered into Kelaniya Dharmaloka Maha Vidyalaya as she wanted her to focus more on her education which to her mother was primary and foremost .Shalika too has had an ambition to become a teacher in dancing but with her involvement in the theatre she had to abandon her idea. Currently she is elated as if she became a teacher her life would be monotonous unlike the varied life as an actress At this school unlike many other schools in that era there was the subject of philosophy of visual and performing arts.(Natya and Ranga Kalawa)existed which many other schools did not possess which was a subject taught in that school .Having identified Shalika’s innate talent she was automatically selected to the school stage play “Sama Jathakaya’ where she excelled and propelled in becoming very well known and popular figure at school in such an young age. Shalika was lucky as her talents were identified by the teachers rather prematurely After her preliminary exposure and triumph on the school stage Shalika was privileged and fortunate to be trained and coached at school under many famous dramatists initially AB Perera then by the likes of late Jayalal Rohana, Aruna Waragoda which paved the way for her to be nominated for many popular stage plays outside the school too.. Shalika reminisced that in some plays she had even portrayed protagonists as wife of the guru late Jayalal Rohana. During this era Shalika had portrayed many roles in stage plays like ‘Sajathi’, ‘Gowegenu’,Vishetha Sri’ etc which were all performed to acclaim held on outdoor stage had continued to be in the similar limelight. Lately Shalika was invited to portray a role in Anura Waragoda’s ‘,Thakadum”
The manner Shalika broke into the Teledrama depictions she had recollected that she had been invited by famous tele director P Shivadasan who had seen her talent to act as Kanchana Mendis’ sister in the Teledrama titled ‘Kidhuru Nadiya in year 2001while she was still a school girl. Shalika had been selected after a consultation held by a panel of adjudicators with other budding actresses. This role obviously had kindled her passion for Teledramas as well which set her on a pathway to explore diverse characters on both television and the big screen apart from the stage which she had already seized in no small measures to unprecedented tall elevations at such a tender age. Shalika had faced to the advanced level examination but as she had more focus on the stage plays and Teledramas her results did not sound that good. Shalika had felt that her focus then was on the theatre when she was a sought after teenage actress
It has been added by Shalika that for her acting all her brothers and relatives had protested and griped as they wanted her to study and be employed, but only her mother had understood appropriately that Shalika would have a good future in this field had lent her hand for Shalika’s journey in this selected vocational field which was foreseen to be prosperous by her mother. Shalika in a television dialogue had said that Mother had accompanied her always for a period of ten years for rehearsals when all home folks particularly her brothers too had been confident of her journey that was growing and prospering. For Shalika too her dream of becoming a teacher in dancing too evaporated as she was getting more and more portrayals on stage and teledramas in an unbelievable uninterrupted sequence. .Shalika had in another television had confirmed that she lends her one hundred percent to all roles entrusted upon her, as she believes the one who selects her is with supreme confidence having spent money unselfishly. According to Shalika one’s personal life and the portrayals entrusted should not be entangled ,one should focus one hundred percent to the role entrusted. Shalika as a stage actress could sing well had shown her prowess in singing at many television chat programs at regular intermissions also on you tube.
Shalika is acclaimed as a character actress who has been in the limelight in Sri Lanka for two and half decades. Dominating the stage, mini screen and the silver screen with outstanding vivid portrayals which is the hall mark of any actor or actress was the recipient of the prestigious ‘ Silver Screen Award’. Shalika had began her cinematic journey in year 2003 in the film Salu Sudu. Some of the other films Shalika had acted in were ‘Thushara’ in year 2009, ‘Bonikka’ in year 2015, ‘Sarungal’ and ‘Raaksha’ in year 2018 .It should be reminisced that she had participated in many Teledramas after her debut teledrama ‘ Kindhuru Nadiya’ her other Teledramas were ‘Himi Gira Naga; ‘Indi Veta Addara’, ‘Pathumi’.’Dekon Maru’.’Anduru Rathriya’,’Jevithaya Ethi Thura’,’Kolam Kuttama’, ‘Sitha’ more recently all were telecast in teledrama series’ with many episodes. She portrays a very prominent supporting role in Lalith Wasantha’s teledrama “Maayavi’ now telecast on Sirasa TV on weekdays. Shalika’s view is that an actress should be able to portray any role entrusted .She had also portrayed comedy roles as all those in this field should undertake to portray. There are more films that have been shot yet to be released like ‘Nuhuru Weyama’of Lal Piyadewa, ‘Hadagasma’, of Akila Sandakelum. also portrayed a role in the revolutionary film maker late Louis Vanderstratten’s film “Buddhi’.
Shalika adds that one could become popular but to be talented is what all artistes need to be accomplished in. Shalika adds one should adopt to the changes in varied roles focussing on different protagonists undertaken. Shalika believes any professional actress should be able to portray any role with one’s in born aptitude of course by training. Shalika adds the clashing on stage is not an easy proposition for a popular actress sans innate talent would not be an acclaimed artiste .Shalika has confessed she loves the stage , her advice to all novices is to train effectively obeying and respecting the seniors as a hall mark to success .She believes she has no challenge from co actors and actresses but has a challenge for the roles offered. .
One stage drama that was spoken of immensely by the public was about the murder of the Kataragama beauty queen Premawathie Manamperi who was brutally shot and dragged along the street by the army during the JVP insurrection in1971 , buried alive, while still breathing. This was made as a stage drama as the ‘Kataragama Prema Manamperi’.which became very widespread and popular having been staged many times across Sri Lanka Shalika who portrayed the main character was hailed to tall elevations by many critics. The role was suggested to be given to her by the director Sarath Dikkumbura having followed her immense talent when portraying many other vivid roles. Shalika had consented grabbing the offer instantaneously with both hands as it was on behalf of a story of a victimised ‘Kanthawa’ she had conveyed in a television conversation. As this was a challenging role she has had to convince her brother as the portrayal was very deadly Shalika’s plea was that this stage drama need to be watched by all women. The story of Prema Manamperi was well scripted with many details including his finance’ Gamini Bass .
Shalika had emphasised the fact that in a stage play unlike in a teledrama portraying a character has to be done perfectly and instantly as there are no takes as in teledramas. Shalika had received many accolades for her portrayal where she had observed many ladies in the audience had shed tears. One doctor had approached her and said when his mother died he had not cried but watching her role portrayed he had cried.
Shalika is still single though many inquire whether she is married and divorced to which she had acknowledged as incorrect absolute gossip. But she had married a number of times in many stage and Teledramas and in photo shoots. But she has had love affairs even long term .She has confessed that if she gets married she will never consent for a divorce .Shalika is a staunch Buddhist who had been attending to ‘Daham Pasel’ from young days having observed ‘Sil’ on all Poya days which she had not prolonged to the present. She gives enormous support to her parents on Poya days when observing ‘Sil’. She looks after her parents attending to all their day to day needs of the duo giving transport buying them all their wants preferably what they love to consume. Though they refuse still she is with stern determination to make them contented She believes all parents should be looked after when they are living unlike some who after their demise offer almsgivings in show off which is not her acceptance and forte. Shalika’s this preaching and eminence she expects all children to be mindfulness of and follow. It is pertinent to state that Shalika is very social having a high sense of humour speaks well at television dialogs. Shalika is very humble unassuming down to earth mixes with all artistes sans any discrimination. She is very social having observed her in videos predominantly at her birthday celebrations and in a comedy Tik Tok show video of Hiru television.
In the context of the above Shalika Edirisinghe is an accomplished actress with unique attributes ,characteristics, traits to be classified in par along with all other Sri Lanka actresses possessing all credentials needed to be a renowned performer in the annals of archives in Sri Lanka
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane
WhatsApp 0061444533242
