Remembering Vijaya Nandasiri

The 74th birth anniversary of veteran actor Vijaya Nandasiri fell on May 6. Illuppitiya Mudiyanselage Vijaya Nandasiri, who was born on May 6, 1947 plunged the nation into shock when he passed away suddenly on August 8 in 2016. Vijaya had by then completed 50 years as an actor.

He entered the field of acting via stage dramas, joining the Maname troupe of Dr. Ediriweera Sarachchandra in 1963, and for decades he hds been playing Prince Maname on stage. As a stage actor he consolidated his place in dramas like Sinhabahu, Rathnawali, Rankanda, Suba Saha Yasa, Vishva Sundari, Tharawo Igilethi, Sirisangabo, Kuweni, Hunuwataye Kathawa and others including his own productions Kusa Pabawathi, Wrushaba Raja and Haratha Rejina.

As a stage actor he consolidated his place in dramas like Sinhabahu, Rathnawali, Rankanda, Suba Saha Yasa, Vishva Sundari, Tharawo Igilethi, Sirisangabo, Kuweni, Hunuwataye Kathawa and others including his own productions Kusa Pabawathi, Wrushaba Raja and Haratha Rejina

Having entered films with Matara Achchi, he played various roles on the big screen. He was the blind boy Mahinda in Nedeyo, Athula in Siri Pathula, Upali in Sasara, Ronald in Hingana Kolla, Kapila in Bangali Walalu and Ajith in Yasa Isuru. But people began to realize the multi-talents of Vijaya Nandasiri when he became Senarath in Yes Boss, Premachandra in Nonawarune Mahathwarune and Mangala Jaya in Sikuru Hathe.

Movies like King Hunther, Sir Last Chance, Sikuru Hathe and Suhada Koka took him to the peak of popularity. His plays like Balloth Ekka Behe, Rukada Rajje, Malwadam Anawashyai,  Deyyoth Danne Nehe, Kakul Hathare Ilandiriya made him the most sought after stage actor in the country in recent times. Vijaya who was married to veteran actress Devika Mihirani – the pioneer tele drama actress – was the father of dauther Navanjana and son Rasanjana who is now beginning to follow in his father’s footsteps.