Kalukapuge Don David (born 1 September 1913 – died 10 September 1987 as ඩේවිඩ් ධර්මකීර්ති), popularly known as David Dharmakeerthi was an actor Sri Lankan early Sri Lankan cinema.[1]

David Dharmakeerthi
ඩේවිඩ් ධර්මකීර්ති
Born
Kalukapuge Don David

(1913-09-01)1 September 1913
Padukka, Sri Lanka
Died10 September 1987(1987-09-10) (aged 74)
NationalitySri Lankan
Occupation(s)Actor, politician
Years active1953–1987
SpouseNandawathi Jayasuriya
Children8
FatherOdiris Appuhami

Personal life

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He was born on 1 September 1913 in Kotigamgoda village, Padukka. His father Odiris Appuhami was a farmer. He started school at village school and then from Wonakal College, Padukka and finally to the English English School in Homagama. After school, Dharmakeerthi first joined the Department of Agriculture at Alston Place, Colombo as an overseer.[2]

Dharmakeerthi was married to Nandawathi Jayasuriya. The couple has 5 sons and 3 daughters. He died on 10 September 1987 at the age of 74.[2]

Cinema career

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In school times, he performed in a drama based on a novel "Rohini" written by Martin Wickremasinghe. There was a superintendent named Jasinghe in the Department of Agriculture where David worked. He saw Dharmakeerthi's acting skills in the dramas of the peasant army, who also produced the background music and art direction. Raja Tilakaratne, who was a Lake House Dinamina Journalist, is a relative of the superintendent Jasinghe. Jasinghe opened the cinema door to Dharmakeerthi. His first cinema acting came through 1953 film Sujatha directed by T. R. Sundaram. During his visit to the studio in India to film Sujatha, his father and friend T. Somasekaran both died.[2]

He also worked as a film assistant director, dialogue writer and a story writer in 1958 film Salli Malli Salli. In this film he emerged as a character actor. In 1981, he acted in the film Aradhana as a merciful father. He won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 1982 Sarasaviya Awards. for that acting. This was the only award he received in 35 years of film career. He acted with his son Sarath Dharmakeerthi in the 1984 film Parasathuro.[2]

His final cinema appearance came through 1988 film Sagara Jalaya Madi Handuwa Oba Sanda directed by Sumitra Peries.[3]

Political career

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His favorite political character was Philip Gunawardena. Dharmakeerthi contested for the Horana seat from the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna in the 1960 general election. However, he was placed third in the seat and received only 1555 votes.[2]

Filmography

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Year Film Role Ref.
1953 Sujatha Mudali [4]
1953 Prema Tharagaya
1954 Warada Kageda?
1955 Seda Sulang Sir Edward Palipana
1958 Salli Malli Salli
1958 Vana Mohini
1959 Sirimali Galgedera Mudalali
1960 Pirimiyek Nisa
1960 Sandesaya Ekanayake 'Disawa'
1961 Suvineetha Lalani
1962 Suhada Divi Piduma Ranatunga
1963 Deepashika Lucky's father
1963 Sudu Sande Kalu Wala Ralahamy
1963 Gamperaliya Kaisaruwaththe Muhandiram [5]
1964 Kala Kala De Pala Pala De
1964 Sithaka Mahima
1964 Sulalitha Sobani Danapala Mudalali
1964 Suba Sarana Sepa Sithe Karolis 'Appu'
1964 Samaje Api Okkoma Samanai
1965 Hathara Maha Nidhanaya Keerthisena
1965 Landaka Mahima
1966 Athulweema Thahanam
1966 Mahadana Muththa Mahadana Muththa
1966 Kapatikama Mr. Fernando
1966 Seegiri Kashyapa King Dhatusena [6]
1966 Senasili Suwaya Loku Unnahe
1967 Hathara Kendare
1967 Iwasana Dana
1968 Singithi Surathal
1968 Akka Nago
1968 Bicycle Hora
1968 Indunila
1968 Dehadaka Duka Uncle
1968 Punchi Baba Mala's uncle
1969 Kawuda Hari? Mudalithuma
1969 Prewesamwanna Mr. Basnayake
1969 Pancha
1971 Kathuru Muwath Don David Pathirana
1972 Hathara Wate
1972 Lokuma Hinawa Renuka's Pappa
1972 Ihatha Athmaya Priyani's father
1973 Suhada Pathuma Siriwardena [7]
1973 Sinawai Inawai Guru Sabha
1973 Sunethra
1975 Kokilayo
1975 Sadhana
1976 Madol Duwa Mudalali [8]
1978 Veera Puran Appu Gunnepana Arachchi
1979 Divi Thibena Thuru
1979 Hari Pudumai Mahathun
1980 Parithyagaya Ralahamy
1981 Baddegama Mudalithana [9]
1981 Jeevanthi
1981 Aradhana [10]
1984 Para Sathuro Grand father
1987 Kiwulegedara Mohottala Elderly Nilame
1988 Sagara Jala Madi Handuwa Village Man
1994 Ahas Maliga

References

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  1. ^ "David Dharmakeerthi filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Career of David Dharmakeerthi". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  3. ^ "David Dharmakirthi films". IMDb. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Sujatha re-screened after 66 years". Saaravita. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Film review: Gamperaliya". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  6. ^ "All about Seegiri Kashyapa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  7. ^ "All about Suhada Pathuma". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  8. ^ "All about Madol Duwa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  9. ^ "All about Beddegama". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Sinethra spotlight on "Aradhana" on June 8". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
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