Sahan Ranwala (born July 3, 1978, as සහන් රන්වල [Sinhala]), is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.[1] He is also works as a musician, composer and a presenter.[2] He is the managing director of Lionel Ranwala Folk Art Foundation.[3]
Sahan Ranwalaa සහන් රන්වල | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 3, 1978 |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Education | Ashoka Vidyalaya, Maradana Ananda College |
| Alma mater | University of Colombo University of Sri Jayewardenepura Sri Lanka Law College |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, dramatist |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Spouse | Melani Ranwala |
| Children | 1 |
| Father | Lionel Ranwala |
| Relatives | Chirantha Ranwala (brother) |
| Website | http://ranwala.lk/ |
Personal life
editSahan Ranwala was born on July 3, 1978, in Nugegoda as the second of the family with two siblings.[2] He started education at Asoka Vidyalaya, Maradana. After passing grade 5 scholarship examination, he went to Ananda College.[4] At school, Sahan was the Chairman of Drama Society and the Treasurer of Broadcasting Unit. He did A/L from commerce stream and selected to the University of Colombo.[2] His elder brother Chirantha is a television announcer and also an actor.
His father Lionel Ranwala was an icon in Sri Lanka music industry who performed folk music in Sri Lanka.[5] Lionel is the founder of Ranwala Balakaya.[6] Sahan is a graduate from Drama and Theater at University of Kelaniya.[7] He also has a Diploma in Journalism at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and degree from Sri Lanka Law College.[8]
He is married to Melani Ranwala and the couple has one son, Seth Ranwala.[2]
Education
editSahan went to Asoka College, Colombo and Ananda College. Sahan completed Business Management degree in University of Colombo, Mass Media degree in University of Jayawardanapura. And he is also post graduate in Buddhist Studies in University of Kelaniya and he has Master's degree in Drama and the Theatre in University of Kelaniya.
Also, Sahan was the island first in Statistics exam held by Association of Accounting Technicians Sri lanka.
Career
editSahan started his career under his father Lionel in his folk music group called Ranwala Balakaya.[9] After the death of father, Sahan started to continue his legacy by conducting folk musical programs all over the country.[10] After three years of father's death, Sahan presented folk musical program Yuddetath Awith.[11] He also conducted concerts such as Gama Avlanynaan, Ahasei Innawalu, Three and Mei Avurudu Kaale.[12] He also able to perform at the local festivals in Galle, Colombo and Jaffna Music Festivals and international festival such as CHOGM. In 2003, Ranwala started Ranwala Lama Balakaya for youngsters between the ages of 10–18.[11]
In 1996, Sahan worked as an announcer at Sirasa TV by presenting the program Kala Kalasa. Sahan started acting career in 2003 with television serial Ranga Madala Samuganee directed by Milton Jayawardhane.[2]
His drama Velava Keeyada? was selected for the finals of State Drama Festival in 2009.[7] He currently conducts a children's program Puduma Iskole.[13]
In 2011, Ranwala Balakaya won the award for the "Best Performing Folk Song Troupe" at the Folk Songs Festival at Guangxi, China.[11] He is the author of the book titled Welawa Keeyada.[14] He conduct a course on folk songs in Battaramulla on every Sundays. Ranwala Balakaya released Gama Avulannan and Yuddhetath Evith in VCD and DVD formats.[7]
In 2012, Sahan initiated a musical program Gayamu at BMICH Kamatha.[15] In 2016, he organized Jana Gee Ekassa and Dekassa presentation for children at the Bishop's College Auditorium.[3]
Sahan started his film career with Aadaraneeya Wassaanaya back in 2004, directed by Senesh Dissanaike Bandara with a supportive role.[16]
In 2006, Sahan acted for the television series Paba in 2006, directed by Mahesh Rathsara Madduma Arachchi with a supportive role.
On December 1, 2019, he along with Ranwala Balakaya organized a folk musical show titled "Ran Salakuna", which will be held at Kularatne Hall, Ananda College, College.[17] In January 2021, he released "Ranwala Lanka e-school" which covers a wide range of subjects including folk songs and performing arts, drumming and art and is planned to be held under two syllabi, internationally and locally.[18]
Notable television works
edit- Bharyawo[19]
- Deva Daruwo [20]
- Deweni Inima
- Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli
- Hadawathe Kathawa
- Iskole
- Jeewithaya Lassanai
- Millewa Walawwa[21]
- Paba
- Rajini
- Ranga Madala Samuganee
- Yaso Mandira [22]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Aadaraneeya Wassaanaya | Niranga | [23] |
| 2004 | One Shot | Vijaya's brother | [24] |
| 2008 | Heart FM | Sagara | [25] |
| 2010 | Uththara | Praveen Pathiratne | [26] |
| 2023 | Kathuru Mithuru | Fat guy in tailor shop | [27] |
Awards and accolades
editHe won the award for the Best Upcoming Actor at the Sumathi Awards ceremony in 2003.[2]
Sumathi Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Ranga Madala Samuganee | Best Upcoming Actor | Won |
References
edit- ^ "Sahan Ranwala bio". Rate your music. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f "Versatile artiste Sahan Ranwale". the Nation. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ a b "Jana Gee Ekassa and Dekassa Kids presentation 2016". Sunday Observer. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
- ^ "Magnificence of the Maroons". Daily News. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Folk songs to the fore". Daily News. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Remembering Ranwala". Daily Mirror. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Like father like son". Daily News. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
- ^ "Lionel Ranwala troupe and war on alienisms". Sunday Observer. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Ranwala Brigade ready to attack". Sunday Times. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Lionel Ranwala Folk Song troupe keeps traditional music alive : Inspiring saga". Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
- ^ a b c "It's time for 'Mei Avurudu Kaale'". Sunday Times. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
- ^ "Why our music is not 'national' enough". ceylon-ananda. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Puduma Iskole". pudumaiskole. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
- ^ "Welawa Keeyada". Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
- ^ "Singing in harmony". Daily Mirror. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
- ^ "Sahan Ranwala – සහන රන්වල films". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Ranwala celebrate Ran Salakuna". Sarasaviya. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
- ^ "Sahan's e-school in January". Sarasaviya. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ ""Bharyavo" now on Sirasa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
- ^ "Child deities descend to earth". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
- ^ "Doors open for 'Millewa Walawwa'". Daily Mirror. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ^ "'Yaso Mandira': The tale of a mother's courage..." Sunday Times. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- ^ "එදා මෙදා තිරගත වූ සිංහල චිත්රපට". Sarasaviya. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ^ "One Shot One". The Island. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- ^ "Teaser-type clip used for two latest films". The Nation. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- ^ "Sandun enters cinema with 'Uththara'". Sunday Times. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- ^ "Friendship that cannot be cut with any scissors". Sarasaviya. Retrieved March 25, 2020.