B. S. Perera

B. S. Perera
බී. එස්. පෙරේරා
Born
Balasuriyage Steven Perera

(1924-03-31)31 March 1924
Died24 July 1982(1982-07-24) (aged 58)
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationSri Sangaraja Central College, Colombo 10
Occupation(s)Actor, Comedian, Director, Singer
Years active1960–1982
SpouseB.A.D. Gnanawathi
Children7
FatherBalasuriyage Adwin Perera

Balasuriyage Steven Perera (born 31 March 1924 – died 24 June 1982 as බී. එස්. පෙරේරා) [Sinhala]), popularly as B. S. Perera, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema and theater as well as a director and singer.[1] One of the earliest pillars and popular comedy artists ever in Sri Lankan film history, Perera had a career spanned about three decades.[2] He holds the record for the highest number of films acted by a Sri Lankan well over 180 films.[3]

Personal life

[edit]

Perera was born on 31 March 1924 in Colombo. His father was Balasuriyage Adwin Perera. He was a talented artist in the Tower Hall era. He received his primary education at Maligakanda Government School, Colombo (currently known as Mahinda Maha Vidyalaya, Maligakanda) and later studied at Sangaraja Vidyalaya, Maradana (currently known as Sri Sangaraja Central College, Colombo 10). In 1939, Perera joined the Army and joined the Colombo Municipal Council at the end of World War II.[4]

Before entering cinema, Perera worked as a Tram car driver. Due to an accident he lost part of the vision. Although he underwent eye surgery, he suffered a tear in his eye causing a strabismus condition.[5] After the accident, he served as a trolley bus inspector.[4]

Perera was married to B.A.D. Gnanawathi. The couple had five daughters - elder Sriyani, younger Sriyani, Brinda, Rajathi, Princy - and two sons - Sunil Wesley and Ravindra. Sunil Wesley was a professional commercial artist and singer.[6] Second son Ravindra has acted in few films such as Yakadaya and Duppathage Hithawatha and then retired from the Chilaw Railway Department.[4]

Perera died on 24 June 1982 in Chilaw after a brief illness at the age of 58.[3]

Career

[edit]

From the little age, he had performed in Tower Hall stage dramas. He acted as "Mohottala" in the stage play Sri Wickrama, which was his only Tower Hall acting. During his work as a tram car driver, he produced the stage play Nikan Awa to donate to the Urban Council Funeral Association. Then he produced the plays Samadaththara, Lankapura and Saliya Ashokamala. Strabismus condition made the fortune of becoming a film actor. One of his friends, C.M. Rupasinghe introduced Perera to popular film producer S. Sivanandan. At that time, Sivanandan was the assistant director in film Dheewarayo.[4]

He acted in an English film before enter to Sinhala cinema. His first Sinhala film was Roddy Kella directed by Sirisena Wimalaweera. However, due to the sudden death of Wimalaweera, the film shooting stopped. His first screened film appearance came through 1964 blockbuster film Dheewarayo in a minor role as a singer.[5] The most memorable character played by Perera was as a patient in the film Senasuma Kothanada. His comic roles were extremely popular, some of them include, Chandiya, Thushara, Hari Pudumai, Hondata Hondai, Mahadena Muththa and Ara Soyza. He also acted in the Sri Lankan Tamil film Mamiyar Veedu.[4]

In 1955, he worked as the music director in the film Perakadoru Bena directed by A.B. Raja. In 1974, he directed and produced the film Rodi Gama. In 1974, he was awarded with Deepashika Award for acting most number of Sinhala films. He emerged from the comic strip and acted as a character actor in few films such as Subhani, Bandura Mal, Rana Derana and Ridee Thella.[4]

After his death in 1982, twenty eight films were screened as posthumous releases.

Filmography

[edit]

As actor

[edit]
Year Film Role Ref.
1964 Dheewarayo
1965 Chandiya Rifai Nana [7]
1965 Sathutai Kandului
1965 Sudo Sudu Cow owner
1965 Yata Giya Dawasa
1965 Saaravita Muslim Mudalali
1965 Allapu Gedara Sepalika's father
1965 Satha Panaha Mahaththaya 'Sir' [8]
1965 Landaka Mahima
1966 Segawena Sewanella
1966 Mahadena Muththa Puwak Badilla
1966 Senasuma Kothanada Patient
1966 Maha Ra Hamuwu Sthriya [9]
1966 Athulweema Thahanam
1966 Kapatikama Film director
1966 Oba Dutu Da
1966 Sanda Naga Eddi
1966 Senasili Suwaya Nyanawardana
1966 Layata Laya
1967 Sorungeth Soru
1967 Pipena Kumudu
1967 Sarana
1967 Vasanthi
1967 Okkoma Hari [10]
1967 Hitha Giya Thena
1967 Sura Chauraya
1967 Rena Giraw [11]
1968 Pini Bindu
1968 London Hamu
1968 Bicycle Hora
1968 Amathikama
1968 Ruhunu Kumari
1968 Dehadaka Duka Saldadue
1968 Ataweni Pudumaya
1969 Oba Nathinam
1969 Kohomada Wade
1969 Pickpocket Mr. Sinclair
1969 Preweshamwanna Kokiyo 'Bandaa Aiyya'
1969 Pancha
1970 Athma Pooja
1970 Thevatha
1970 Penawa Neda
1970 Ohoma Hondada [12]
1971 Kathuru Muwath Chasing constable
1971 Seeye Nottuwa
1972 Sujeewa
1972 Singapore Charlie
1972 Ada Mehemai Sira's cousin
1972 Lokuma Hinawa Patient
1972 Ihatha Athmaya Master
1973 Suhada Pethuma [13]
1973 Aparadhaya Ha Danduwama
1973 Thushara Wilson [14]
1973 Gopalu Handa
1973 Sinawai Inawai
1973 Sunethra Job Seeker
1973 Dahakin Ekek Professor
1973 Hondata Hondai Medal carrier
1974 Duleeka
1974 Dinum Kanuwa
1974 Surekha
1974 Onna Babo Billo Enawa Gonsali
1974 Susee Wedding singer [15]
1974 Sagarika
1974 Duppathage Hithawatha Remy [16]
1974 Wasthuwa
1974 Jeewana Ganga
1974 Rodi Gama Purohitha Mahesh
1975 Hitha Honda Minihek Sunny
1975 Obai Mamai Cook Simon
1975 Kaliyuga Kale
1975 Raththaran Amma Potas
1975 Sukiri Kella Sunimal
1975 Cyril Malli
1975 Amaraneeya Adare
1975 Kokilayo
1975 Suraya Surayamai Landlord [17]
1975 Jeewana Geethaya
1975 Lassana Dawasak Kurulosuwa
1975 Sadhana
1976 Pradeepe Ma Wewa
1976 Nayana
1976 Kawuda Raja Paddikkama [18]
1976 Wasana Dobie 'Sima'
1976 Vanarayo
1976 Asha
1976 Onna Mame Kella Panapi
1976 Deviyange Theenduwa Sergeant
1976 Adarei Man Adarei
1976 Ran Thilaka
1977 Sakunthala
1977 Maruwa Samaga Wase
1977 Sudu Paraviyo Ango wooer
1977 Sri Madara
1977 Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai
1977 Chin Chin Nona [19]
1977 Yali Ipade
1977 Sajaa
1977 Chandi Putha [20]
1977 Aege Adara Kathawa
1977 Wanagatha Kella
1978 Sithaka Suwanda
1978 Chandi Shyama
1978 Mage Ran Putha
1978 Madhuwanthi Thompson
1978 Siripathula
1978 Saara
1978 Kundalakeshi Sathruka's man
1978 Tikira Mahathaya
1978 Janaka Saha Manju
1978 Sally
1978 Apsara
1978 Deepanjali
1978 Veera Puran Appu
1978 Sandawata Rantharu
1979 Samanmali
1979 Jeewana Kandulu
1979 Amal Biso
1979 Raja Kollo Pala's employee
1979 Ran Kurullo
1979 Anusha Siripala
1979 Akke Mata Awasara Servant
1979 Sugandhi Vadivel
1979 Sawudan Jema
1979 Subhani
1979 Hingana Kolla
1979 Nuwan Renu Hindu procession leader
1979 Hari Pudumai Bokudiras
1980 Silva
1980 Anuhasa
1980 Seetha
1980 Adara Rathne Principal
1980 Doctor Susantha
1980 Raja Dawasak
1980 Mage Amma
1980 Sabeetha Martin
1980 Api Dedena
1981 Sathkulu Pawwa Perera 'C. C.'
1981 Sudda Mas Thambi
1981 Kolamkarayo
1981 Senasuma
1981 Amme Mata Samawenna Head Kanakara
1981 Ridee Thella Kattadiya
1981 Bandura Mal
1981 Geethika
1981 Dayabara Nilu Pappa
1981 Hondama Naluwa
1981 Jeewanthi
1982 Bicycley Nicholas
1982 Sudu Ayya Surabiel
1982 Pethi Gomara Jokino's brother-in-law
1982 Eka Diga Kathawak
1982 Rahasak Nathi Rahasak
1982 Sitharaa
1982 Thakkita Tharikita
1982 Chathu Madhura Piyadasa
1982 Kadawunu Poronduwa remake Mudalali
1983 Ran Mini Muthu
1983 Sumithuro Master
1983 Karate Joe
1983 Loku Thaththa
1983 Mal Madhu
1983 Rathu Makara Sirisena
1983 Hithath Hondai Wedath Hondai
1983 Chuttey Jamis
1983 Chandi Siriya
1984 Kekille Rajjuruwo Polbe Muna
1984 Ara Soyza Kiridena 'Uncle'
1984 Kiri Kawadi Jussey
1984 Mala Giravi
1984 Welle Thanu Maliga
1984 Bambara Patikki
1984 Kokila
1984 Hithawathiya Guard
1984 Namal Renu
1984 Rana Derana
1984 Sahodariyakage Kathawa
1984 Ranmalige Wasanawa
1984 Muthu Manike
1984 Birinda
1985 Puthuni Mata Samawenna
1985 Adarayaka Mahima Kamal
1985 Chalitha Rangali
1986 Mal Warusa Premapala
1986 Gimhane Gee Naade Villager

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Actors of Sinhala cinema - B S Perera". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  2. ^ "B.S. Perera - බි. එස්. පෙරේරා filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Inimitable B. S. Perera". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Trolley Bus to the cinema". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Dead people are still laughing at us". lifie. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  6. ^ "බී. එස්. පුත් සුනිල් ගී සිසිල ගෙනෙයි". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  7. ^ "All about "Chandiya"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  8. ^ "All about the film "Satha Panaha"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
  9. ^ "All about "Maha Ra Hamuwu Sthriya"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  10. ^ "All about the film "Okkoma Hari"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
  11. ^ "All about "Rena Giraw"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  12. ^ "All about the film "Ohoma Hondada"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  13. ^ "All about Suhada Pathuma". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  14. ^ "All about the film "Thushara"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  15. ^ "All about the film Susee". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  16. ^ "All about Duppathage Hithawatha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  17. ^ "All about the film "Suraya Surayamai"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  18. ^ "All about the film "Kawuda Raja"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  19. ^ "Chin Chin Nona, who came before Tom Pachaya". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  20. ^ "All about Chandi Putha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.