Nilmini Buwaneka

Buwaneka in 2012

Nilmini Buwaneka is an actress, dancer and choreographer from Sri Lanka.[1]

Dancing

She learned dancing in Bhatkhande Music Institute, where she gained a Diploma in Baratha Natyam.[citation needed]

Theater

Nilmini has portrayed many leading roles for the most thriving directors in the drama and theater field of Sri Lanka, and in many non-commercial stage plays such as:

  • Ayeth enne ne - Widows[2][3]
  • Dasa Mallige Bangalawa
  • Death of a Salesman[4][better source needed]
  • Devadasi (Sinhala and English)
  • Doll’s House
  • Don Diyego
  • Hena – Thunder
  • House of Bernada Alba[5]
  • Julius Caesar
  • Loka
  • Makarakshaya[citation needed]
  • Manoramya Gee
  • Mother Courage[6]
  • Reality Show
  • Seru[7]
  • Sihina Dakinna
  • Thatu
  • Weeraya Merila[8]

Television acting

Nilmini has acted in a Total of 45 Television serials ranges from drama, thriller to comedy.

Selected television serials

  • Agamehesiyo
  • Agni Kankariya
  • Alu Pata Heena
  • Ambudaruwo[9]
  • Anne [10]
  • Aparna[11]
  • Bhava Tharana
  • Bhavathu Sabba Mangalam
  • Bumuthurunu
  • Chandragrahanaya
  • Chathurya
  • Dahas Gau Dura
  • Dhadayakkaraya
  • Duli Pintharu
  • Ehi Pillamak Yata
  • Hiru Daruwo
  • Ira Awara
  • Kalpa Kumari
  • Mandakini
  • Monarathenna
  • Nama Veni Kadulla
  • Parana Tauma
  • Pura Kalani
  • Rala Bindena Thena
  • Sandakinduri
  • Sansare Piya Satahan (Buddhist drama)
  • Sansara Prarthana
  • Sasara Chakra
  • Sath Piyawaru
  • Sihina Piyapath
  • Sihina Puraya[12]
  • Sirakari
  • Sitha Nivana Katha (Buddhist drama)
  • Sithumina
  • Sonduru Piyapath
  • Sneha
  • Suba
  • Suba Sihina
  • Sudheera
  • Sudui Usai
  • Sura Vimana
  • Thaksalawa
  • Udu Sulanga
  • Wanabime Sirakaruwo[13]
  • Wankagiriya

Directing and Choreography

Having had the opportunity to work as an Assistant Director alongside Dharmasiri Bandaranayake a Director who marked an era of movie making in Sri Lanka, Nilmini was praised by foreign critics after seeing her own direction of a stage plays using only children with Down syndrome. (Sihina Mal Dangakary, Eka Adipathi, Yakshaya, Sathya)[14]

Cinema

Playing characters in both leading as well as supporting roles in several movies, her distinctiveness remains that of acting only in handpicked special creations of cinema.

Year Film Role Ref.
1997 Bawa Duka
1997 Bawa Karma
2009 Ekamath Eka Rateka
2009 Bindu Saping's wife
2014 Samige Kathawa Sam's mother
2015 Bora Diya Pokuna
2020 Paangshu [15]
TBD Bahuchithawadiya Sasitha's sister

Awards

In 2004 she won the State Drama Award Festival(SDAF) for Best Actress in a leading role followed by the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the Sumathi Tele Drama Award Festival in 2008. (State Drama Award for ‘Dasa Mallige Bangalawa’ directed by Ruwan Malith and Sumathi Tele Award for ‘Sudheera’ directed by Benat Rathnayake)

References

  1. ^ "Nilmini Buwaneka: A natural talent | LIFE ONLINE | Entertainment News Sri Lanka". life.dailymirror.lk. Archived from the original on 2013-06-08.
  2. ^ "Online edition of Sunday Observer - Business". www.sundayobserver.lk. Archived from the original on 2004-01-12.
  3. ^ "Plus".
  4. ^ "Jerome L. De Silva". 7 November 2008.
  5. ^ "The House of Bernarda Alba August 16th 2012". lankapromo.com. 12 September 2012. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012.
  6. ^ "|| Features".
  7. ^ "Trojan Women". Archived from the original on 2014-05-14. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  8. ^ "Rajitha Dissanayaka's Weeraya Merila goes to Navarangahala". www.sundayobserver.lk. Archived from the original on 2013-03-17.
  9. ^ "leisure05". www.island.lk. Archived from the original on 2001-12-31.
  10. ^ "Anne: A tale of playful girl". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  11. ^ "'Aparna' is full of deception". Sunday Times. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  12. ^ "'Sihina Puraya' on seven families". Sunday Times. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  13. ^ "'Wanabime Sirakaruwo': A tale of a brave Boer". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  14. ^ "'Eka Adhipathi' at Elphinstone".
  15. ^ Hewavithanagamage, Tharishi (6 August 2020). "'Paangshu' aims to initiate dialogue among oppressed victimized". The Island. Upali Newspapers. Retrieved 23 October 2022.