Reminiscing Dilani Abeywardena award winning actress while at pinnacle of fame migrated to New York -on her fruitful endurance in the past two decades – By Sunil Thenabadu
Dilani Abeywardena was born as the eldest child having two younger siblings both brothers to parents in Kalubowila area. Hence she was performing like a boy sporting a pair of shorts ,playing ,cycling was then similar to a ‘tomboy’. She had been an upright student at Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda. The parental duo had divorced when she was young in the teens, hence she had developed a skill to manage home chaos shouldering most of the home burdens. She had developed an enormous amount of determination to do anything from her young days. When Dilani was just thirteen years old the parental duo had separated. Her mother was then not exposed to the society much, did not know how to go even in a bus . In this scenario Dilani has had to burden the responsibilities of her mother to her own shoulders to navigate over family chaos. In this manner Dilani had got accustomed to hurdle over many challenges looking after mother and her two brothers. Hence owing to this unique eminence she was confident that she would undeniably triumph in her life.
Mother was interested in the conception of making young beautiful Dilani a film star. There had been an advertisement in the newspapers by ‘Aradana Suripika” on ‘Lassana Muhunu” contest ‘ had been requested to send a photo of young girls ,the winner to be afforded the prospect of a supporting actress in a new film ’Satana’, a commercial film.: Her mother had sent her photo to the advertiser. After many rounds of speculation her photo had been adjudicated as the best by a panel. Leslie Siriwardena the assistant director of the film ‘Satana’ had selected her photo as the ideal person to portray the supporting role. The film ‘Satana ‘was directed by Ananda Wickremasinghe. For her role in the film Dilani had become instantly popular. Within a few months her image was published in many tabloid editions of newspapers, calendars simultaneously making her a one of the most sought-after actresses in Sri Lanka. For portraying this role in the film ‘Satana’ she was awarded the ‘Best Up and Coming Actress at the Sarasaviya film festival Awards in the ensuing year .
After her portrayal of the role in the commercial film ‘Satana’; she had continued to be invited for many commercial films where to each role she had done justice portraying the given roles to immaculate precision.
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Dilani during this period had portrayed a diverse role in a teledrama ‘Charitha Thunak” produced by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation directed by Thilak Gunawardena Initially the director was in doubt whether Dilani could deliver as it was the portrayal of real village damsel chewing betel speaking in the village vernacular. The director had given her Sinhalese books to read not allowed to wear slippers.as particularly Dilani looked a posh Colombo girl. But she had assured the director that she would do justice to her role. Dilani believes her role was the turning point in her flawless acting career. On viewing her amazing acting aptitudes Dilani had been invited to portray vivid poignant, emotional, character roles for which she was proved to possess mammoth flairs too. For both types of roles when selected to portray she had lived up to the delight and expectations of the many directors. She was adjudicated as the best supporting actress for her portrayal of the role in the film ‘Sayane Sihinaya’ at the annual Sarasaviya film awards ceremony in year1993.. This was closely followed by another award at the Sarasaviya awards ceremony for the role portrayed in the film ‘Bithu Sithuwam”. In 1997 she was also adjudicated as the best actress also in the Sarasaviya film awards ceremony held in year 2003.For her role in Seethala Gini Kandu Dilani she was awarded with a merit award. Then again she was adjudicated in year 2016 for her last film she portrayed a role in ’ Boradiya Pokuna’ along with Kaushalya Fernando once more the award for the best supporting actress which was directed by Satyajit Maitipe., produced by Sunil Dharmasiri..To receive this award she had flown to Sri Lanka from New York. She reminisces having viewed this film from the you tube had thought to herself that she could have performed better. During Dilani’s entire film career as an actress she had portrayed roles both supporting and main roles in fifty two films in all types of films commercial and other types of films . Some of them are: Satana, Hitha Hoda Puthek ,Vana Bambara, Kelimadala,Raja Sellam,Love in Bangkok,Ranabime Veereya, Vana Bambara,Sisila Ginigani, Me Vaare Mage, Sinhayageth Sinhaya,Savanaye Sihinaya,Veli Sulanga,Jeewan Malli, Juriya Mamai, Soora Veera Chandiyo, Nohadam Kumariye , Sujatha New, Sandamadala, Hello My darling,Seilama,Ira Handa Illa., Punchi Suranganawi,Deviyani Sathya Surakinna,Bora Diya Pokuna,Prathirawaya,Ira Handa Illa,Chandani,Thunweni Aha,Mal Hathai,Bithu Sithuwam,Good Bye Tokyo.Akuni Pahara,Anduru Sevaneli,Saroja,Danduwama,
Dilani had portrayed roles both supporting and main roles in twenty six teledramas in many diverse roles such as dramatic, sentimental and emotional roles. A few of them that comes to mind are : Charitha Thunak Indrakeelaya, Issara Gedera, Kahala Nadaya,Magi, Maruk Mal,Monara Kirilli.Sabanda Publis,Sakisanda Eliyas, Senuri, Sivusiya Gawwa,Sudu Mal Kanda,Sujatha,Thalaya Soyana Geethaya,Uthurukuru Satana etc.
A few teledramas which Dilani recollected with interest was “Charitha Thunak”. Viewing her portrayal many producers realised her talents had invited her for roles other than commercial types but for roles like piercing, emotional, touching and character roles with which became a sought after for films as well as teledramas.
Having understood the acting aptitudes of Dilani she was at her early career invited for two stage plays ‘Ukussa’ and ‘Guwan Karalam’.When spoken of that it is the portrayal of roles on stage plays it measures the talent of artistes as they are all live performances. She was initially introduced to the stage by Cecil Gunasekera who has since migrated to Australia. Dilani during her initial days had been very busy with shooting in films ,teledramas also busy with dubbing work hence she had not been able to devote time for stage plays hence had not accepted offers.
Dilani had chosen Saman Pushpawarna to tie the nuptial knot as he possessed unique qualities compared to many others, revealed not for his singing or his personality He had been known as a person who did not want much attention and was to himself possessing unique humble exclusive qualities. She did like him as he was to himself not having much social affiliations. She was a person who wanted Saman to be attached to her sans having any connections with other women as she was very possessive. Dilani with her husband Saman a renowned vocalist then with the young daughter Kaveesha Kavindi born in year 1996 had made a visit to New York But the duo had decided to remain in New York sacrificing her lucrative prolific acting career despite the fact that she was at zenith of fame. During that era the country was devoid of issues as confronted by the present generation. Hence this decision of Dilani and Saman was an interrogation to many she was at the pinnacle of fame financially very sound. Dilani now says it was difficult at the beginning after been a heart throb actress in her native country who with her husband Saman had to begin a hazardous life to get acquainted to the new culture with new jobs particularly as there were no close friends then to seek assistance. To Dilani challenges were welcome as she has the innate ability to navigate over any difficult situation with confidence having the strong belief that she could overcome many challenges which was something instilled within her from her teenage phase. But her husband was the opposite only helps if only asked for help but never corporative. But Dilani was happy living with him as he was on the whole a good husband as he never possessed bizarre qualities involved in nefarious activities which many other husbands possessed.
After deciding to remain in New York Dilani was forced to find employment, initially had found a job in a coffee shop ‘Dunhill Donuts’ where she had to keep standing for all eight hours forty hours for a week. In developed countries unless one is highly qualified many have to accept ordinary jobs not white collar jobs.She had recalled that when she arrives at her dwelling she used to cry but makes up her mind to return to work as she had to sacrifice to earn for the family. In addition she was entrusted to clean the premises, bathrooms and collect garbage etc which is a part of duties all such employees as there are no designated personnel to handle such work unlike in Sri Lanka. Somehow with determination Dilhani had continued until she was elevated to cashier ,shift leader and then Manager and finally was the Area Manager before quitting .She had in search of greener pastures had joined to a beauty culture billet at Lancome cosmetics where she presently works as a beauty culture exponent in Staten Island in New York.She has been elevated to country manager in the beauty culture field which she happily professed. It had been a hard grind to be in this situation had conveyed she has propelled to tall elevations with the family in very happy and contented manner having got accustomed to a different culture. Of course the daily family chaos she had to be navigated over all through these years as unlike in Sri Lanka there is absolutely no one to come to rescue parallel to the culture in the USA. Dilani always works to achieve family success shouldering many responsibilities in the household arena not accustomed while in Sri Lanka. Her husband Saman had taken time to get used to find a suitable billet as he had been a businessman in Sri Lanka. Dilani had conveyed that Saman had settled down to a suitable job after been involved in around twenty jobs. Dilani had conveyed that it took the family about five years to get accustomed to the culture that existed in New York. What had clicked to Saman was Pizza delivering where he had only to know the locations which the GPS had assisted him. But presently Saman is running his own business buying and selling used cars which is a profitable lucrative venture. Dilani had understood that many of her friends and colleagues are interested in migrating to USA. Her advise had been always that it is a hard grind always as one has to attend to all household chaos in addition to earn hence do come prepared to accept all such challenges.
Dilani with all such constraints had been in touch with her colleagues in films constantly for nearly two decades. Some names she reminisced are Dilhani Ashokamala, Ranjan Ramanayake,Shereen Kumaratunga, Jeevan Kumaratunga, Sangeetha Weeraratne,Gayathri Sedera,Sudharma Netticumara etc.She recalled that she still connects with all not with monetary gains. When she had met Sudharma Nettikumara during her visit had proposed to portray a role in a teledrama that is to be produced soon to which Dilani had consented. Dilani had helped many Sri Lankan artistes on tour to New York. In these instances many Sri Lankan friends whom she had met after some years too rendered their fullest cooperation. Dilani had disclosed that she attends to these organizing efforts while she was on work duty. Dilani loves her native country to tall unprecedented pursuits though she is unable to visit more frequently but when on her flight back passing Dubai she becomes very excited to step to our soil..
Dilani’s daughter Kaveesha Kavindi who was born in year 1996 in Sri Lanka could speak well in the Sinhala vernacular but cannot write as the education in New York is mainly in English. She has completed her university education in Business Management possess a Masters degree too.She is now a mother married to Sri Lankan international cricketer Shehan Jayasuriya having tied the nuptial knot on 23rd September 2020 in New York.. Dilani is now a grand mother fifty-three years old is very happy about her daughter Kaveesha and son in law Shehan living with them sharing family chaos. Kaveesh could sing well with perhaps with hereditary affiliations to vocalist father Saman Pushpawarne. She has sung a solo song titled ‘ Samanalee’ lyrics by Ananda Padmasiri and music composition and melody of Sanjula Himali.Kaveesha had duetted with Kanishka Salinda for the song ‘ Mandaram Andure’.A few years back a family associate Raj Ranasinghe had suggested to Dilani if her daughter is willing to act in a main role in a film produced by Lal Weerasinghe .As Kaveesha too has inherited mother’s acting instincts via hereditary affiliations. having watched many Sinhalese films where Dilani had portrayed in ,when asked her about this opportunity Kaveesha too had consented though a novice. The film was titled as ‘’Singa Machang Charlie’ a commercial film.This was her first and last as the constraints and hardships one has to face when acting definitely is rather tough not at all pleasant. The portrayal of Kaveesha had been excellent with many applauding her efforts. Kaveesha’s focus would have been to gain and to feel the stress and experience in portraying a role. Dilani in a television dialogue had stated that while watching her film she had shed tears owing to been very emotional particularly as she was not competent in the Sinhala vernacular had taken down the dialogues in English.
The son Kavindu Kaveesha was born in year 2006.Has had his entire education in English hence had confronted with an issue in speaking trying to speak both languages. Kavindu has had to undergo speech therapy .He is very attached to Dilani as she attends to all his issues .found difficult to speak even English. The consultant had advised the parents to allow him to only speak English as it is the language he is so used to in school. But it is learnt he could understand Sinhalese. He has completed secondary school education is now in a university studying Information Technology. Like other boys of his age is addicted to ‘Games’ was professed by Dilani. Both her daughter and son Dilani had been sent to work like to a ‘coffee shop’ not only to earn dollars but for them to learn the value of money. Hitherto Dilani had been paying their mobile bills as they should know the value of money which is hard to earn but easy to spend. These thoughts of Dilani should be emulated and learnt by other parents too..
Currently Dilani is a grandmother fifty three years old, who is lessening her responsibilities as daughter is married and son is almost finishing his university education. Her life had been very tedious to date to achieve what she is now although with immense toil. and utmost endurance In future when the son works her aspiration is to relax visiting other countries and to spend more time in Sri Lanka perhaps to portray some roles if invited. As she possess talent in abundance within her, as she is very persevering need to be emulated as a role model All fans would wish her good health and longevity
.Sunil Thenabadu email sthenabadu@hotmail.com
