Kumara Thirimadura

Kumara Thirimadura (born April 17, 1969 as කුමාර තිරිමාදුර) [Sinhala) is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.[2] He is an actor, singer, filmmaker and journalist by profession. He is considered one of five actors who have dominated the Sri Lankan Stage by critics.[3]

Kumara Thirimadura
කුමාර තිරිමාදුර
Born
Kumara Thirimadura[1]

(1969-04-17) April 17, 1969 (age 55)
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationPrince of Wales College, Moratuwa
Occupation(s)Actor, Journalist, Filmmaker, Producer, Singer, Screen Play Writer
Years active1987–present
SpouseThushara Thirimadura
ChildrenAmanda Thirimadura
Suchetha Thirimadura
AwardsBest Actor In A Supporting Role
Best Screenwriter

Early career

He was born on 17 April 1969, in Rawathawatta, Moratuwa as the sixth child of the family with seven siblings. His father Thirimadura Rantin de Silva worked in the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. His mother Jothimuni Malini Miureen Perera worked as a cashier in a restaurant. He has four elder sisters - Sandya, Udaya, Ramya, Soumya and one elder brother, Kosala, one younger sister Bhagya and one younger brother Chamila.[4] His sister Sandya died in April 2022.[5] Thirimadura is a past student of Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa.

He won many awards at school level through many theatre works, which gave him boost to the career. But, before turning in to acting career, he worked 14 years as a journalist of Divaina Newspaper. His journalist career stood even after the acting, but he allocated full-time towards acting as his profession. Tissa Gunawardana was his first teacher in drama and theater. Thirimadura first appeared in Street theatres directed by Gamini Haththotuwegama, while he had his first stage play Sakalajana by Dhamma Jagoda.[6]

Acting career

Thirimadura has acted in about 90 stage plays, 58 films and several tele dramas. Nowadays he is seen in popular stage plays like Suba Saha Yasa,[7] Balloth Ekka Be, Balloth Ekka Be 2,[8] Charithe Horu Aran,[9] Ko Kukko, Nari Burathi, Ang Awoo, and Deiyoth Danne Ne.[6] Along with Gihan Fernando, Thirimadura engaged in a stage play Giha Saha Kuma.

While working on with theatre works and journalism, his fellow mate Jayantha Chandrasiri invited him to take part in his teledrama Akala Sandhya, which is Thirimadura's first television screen.[6][10] Since then, he acted more than 50 teledramas across genre including some notable roles in the serials: Paba, Katu Imbula, Ataka Nataka, Isuru Sangramaya and Hendewa.

As a television host, Thirimadura presented program Maarai Hirai telecasted on TV Derana and program Rasoghaya telecasting on Siyatha TV accompany with Mihira Sirithilaka. On ITN, he currently presents the program called Thirimadura Oba Amathai.

Thirimadura started his film career with Julietge Bumikawa back in 1998, directed by Jackson Anthony. Through that, he performed many dramatic and comedy roles in more than 35+ films up to 2018.[11] Apart from acting, he was also the Production Manager of film Sonduru Dadabima, released in 2003 and screenplay writer of film Thanha Rathi Ranga. The role in this film highly praised by the critics and was a commercial hit as well. He along with Sarath Kothalawala won the Award for the Best Screenplay at Derana Lux Film Awards in 2014 for Thanha Rathi Ranga movie.[12][13] His first cinema direction came through Newspaper co-directed with Kothalawala was released on 29 June 2020.[14]

In March 2021, a film festival featuring five films starring Thirimadura will be held for five days at the Liberty Hall, Kollupitiya. The festival is named as the "uncrowned prince's felt cinematic procession".[15][16]

Discography

Thirimadura is an A-grade singer at Sri Lanka Radio Corporation. Though he has not released his solo songs until recently, he has said that he had to sacrifice his early career entirely for the drama and films. He is a die-hard fan of Victor Rathnayake.

Thirimadura released his first solo visual song Ae Mata Adarei in June 2016.[6][17] He also appeared in the music video of song Bodima by Theekshana Anuradha.

On 31 March 2017, Thirimadura performed a musical show at Maharagama Youth Society Hall at 7pm. He titled his show as Kumaraya Man - Deveni Gamana. At the show, he launched his 14-songs music album Ae Mata Adarei as well.[18]

Songs

Following list is the songs of Kumara Thirimadura.[19]

  • (01) Adannata Epa
  • (02) Lapalu Dalu
  • (03) Mata Asai
  • (04) Paata Paata Mal Gode
  • (05) Paalu Gathiya
  • (06) Seethala Udaye
  • (07) Me Udakki Kolama
  • (08) Malabe Kiyu Kisiveku[20]
  • (09) Ae Mata Adarei
  • (10) Man Boralle Ae Badulle

Television

Notable television serials

  • Adare Ahasa Tharam[21]
  • Adisi Nadiya [22]
  • Ahas Maliga
  • Akaala Sandya
  • Angani [23]
  • Bharyawo[24]
  • Dadakeli Arana[25]
  • Ethuma 1, 2
  • Gaga Laga Gedara
  • Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli[26]
  • Giri Shikara Meda[27]
  • Guru Geethaya [28]
  • Hadawathe Kathawa
  • Handewa [29]
  • Herda Sakshiya[30]
  • Ingi Bingi
  • Isuru Sangramaya[31]
  • Jodu Gedara
  • Katu Imbula [32]
  • Kota Uda Mandira
  • Labendiye[33]
  • Maama Haa Ma[34]
  • Nattukkarayo
  • Nethaka Maayavee [35]
  • On Ataka Nataka
  • Paba
  • Raja Kaduwa
  • Ralla Weralata Adarei
  • Ranga Soba [36]
  • Rathi Virathi [37]
  • Sabba Sakala Manaa
  • Samanalunta Wedithiyanna [38]
  • Sanda Numba Nam[39]
  • Sapthambaraye Diga Dawasak
  • Sapumali[40]
  • Sedona[41]
  • Senehasa Kaviyak[42][43]
  • Sidangana [44]
  • Sidu
  • Sihina Puraya[45]
  • Sihina Tawuma[46]
  • Sihinayak Wage [47]
  • Sihini
  • Siri Sirimal [48]
  • Three-wheel Malli [49]
  • Veeduru Mal [50]
  • Visi Eka [51]
  • Walawettuwa
  • Wasuli Kanda[52]

Author work

He published the autobiographical book Mage Jeewithe in 2019, which also granted as a educational book by Sri Lanka Education Department.[53] He also wrote the book Karaliye Rasa Katha which was started as a paper column note.[54]

Awards

Filmography

YearFilmRoleRef.
1998Julietge BhumikawaStage onlooker[58]
2003Sonduru DadabimaArnold
2005Ira MadiyamaCheckpoint officer
2005Aksharaya[59]
2006Sewwandi
2007Sikuru HatheCarpenter
2008Rosa KalePercy
2008Walapatalauncredited role
2008MachanOaf
2009Ekamath Eka Rateka
2009Akasa KusumKaraoke client
2009BinduSaping
2010UththaraSecurity officer
2010Suwanda Denuna JeewitheGuest appearance
2010Ira Handa YataCaptain
2011SinhawalokanayaMohothaa
2011Angara DangaraSimon
2011MahindagamanayaIlanganaga
2011King HuntherMeththananda
2011GamaniSergeant Ranasinghe
2013Bomba Saha Rosa
2013Nikini Vassa
2013Ran Kevita 2Supermarket thief
2013Seetha Man Awa
2014ParapuraAdopted father
2014Thanha Rathi RangaWimal
2014Ko Mark No MarkMark's neighbour
2014Api Marenne NaMangala Pushpakumara
2015Lantin SinghoWimale
2016Motor BicycleThree-wheel driver
2016Maya 3DMaya's father
2016Sujatha PuthraMudalali
2016The RainbowVictor
2017Ali KathawaGobila veddha
2017DharmayuddhayaPC Wimal
2018PorisadayaBasnayake[60]
2018Madhura CharikaBus conductor[61]
2018Yama Raja SiriYama Raja's assistant[62]
2018Raigamayai GampalayaiGampalaya[63]
2018Nidahase Piya DSSchool teacher
2018Tawume IskoleSiridasa[64]
2019Weli PawuruJayantha[65]
2019President Super StarMultiple characters[66]
2019ReloadSadasarana Mudalige Alapatha[67]
2020TsunamiThovilakaru[68]
2020Avilenasului[69]
2020The NewspaperLuvis[70]
2020Miss JenisMatch maker[71]
2021ColomboMichael[72]
2021Nihada Sewaneli[73]
2021Kawuruth Danne Na[74]
2021Hathara VaranEdward[75]
2022Hithumathe JeewitheSumathipala's father[76]
2023ThaththaRathnapala[77]
2024Weerya[78]
2024Sihinayaki Adare
TBDKondadeniye Hamuduruwo[79]
TBDHora Uncle[80]
TBDSri Siddha[81]
TBDAmuthu Gurukamak[82]
TBDSinhabahu[83]

References