Rukmani Devi

BIOGRAPHY

Daisy Rasammah Daniels, well known as Rukmani Devi, was a Sri Lankan singer, theatre and film actress. She was called ''The Nightingale of Sri Lanka'' for her melodious voice. She started her stage career at the age of 12, playing Sita in Walter Abeysinghes Ramayanaya (1935). She began her silver screen journey with Kadaunu Poronduwa (1947). Rukmani acted in various movies like Hadisi Winishchaya (1950), Sengawunu Pilitura (1951), Kele Handa (1953), Kavata Andare (1960), Mangalika (1963), Pipena kumudu (1967), Magul Poruwa (1967), Hatara kendare (1967), Hatara kendare (1967), Romeo Juliet Kathawak (1969), Geetha (1970), Jeevana ganga (1974), Sukiri Kella (1975), Unnath Dahai Malath Dahai (1976) and Aadarei Man Aadarei (1976). She also starred in a Bollywood movie Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1963). The movie had Shammi Kapoor, Saroja Devi B. and Pran in important roles. Her first recorded song was in 1938, a rendition of the famous song ''Siri Buddhagaya Vihare''. The song was a huge hit and catapulted her to the big leagues of singers. Rukmani was married to veteran actor, theatre actor and singer, Eddie Jayamanne. In 1978, while returning from Uyanwatte, Matara, after a musical show, Rukmani passed away in a tragic accident. At the time of her death, she had acted in nearly 100 films, made a career out of singing, and was a prominent theatre actress. In 1979, a year after her untimely death, she was posthumously awarded the Sarasaviya 'Rana Thisara'- Life Time Achievement Award at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival.