{{short description|Sri Lankan actress}} {{Infobox person | name = Seetha Kumari <br>සීතා කුමාරි | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1940|5|9|df=yes}} | birth_name = Seetha Kumari Ahelapola | birth_place = Ehelepola, Matale, Sri Lanka | death_date = {{death date and age|2013|8|7|1940|5|9|df=yes}} | death_place = Kalubowila Hospital, Colombo | resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | education = | years_active = 1960–2013 | other_names = | spouse = | children = 1<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lankadeepa.lk/latest_news/ටෙලි-තිරේ-ආච්චි-අම්මා-සමු-ගනී/1-159510 | title=Grandma says goodbye to television screen | publisher=Lankadeepa| access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref> | father = | mother = | relatives = | website = | footnotes = | occupation = Actress }}
'''Seetha Kumari Ehelepola''' (born 9 May 1940 – died 7 August 2013 as සීතා කුමාරි ඇහැලේපොළ) [Sinhala]), was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.films.lk/sinhala-cinema-artist-seetha-kumari-ehalepola-549.html | title=Seetha Kumari Ehalepola - සීතා කුමාරි ඇහැලේපොල filmography | publisher=Sinhala Cinema Database| access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nfc.gov.lk/artist/seetha-kumari-ehalepola-353/ | title=Seetha Kumari Ehalepola filmography | publisher=National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka| access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref> One of the earliest pillars in Sri Lankan film history, Ehelepola had a career that spanned more than four decades.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.divaina.com/2013/08/08/provin02.html | title=Actress Seetha Kumari has passed away | publisher=Divaina | access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref> She was notable to act in many motherly roles in television serials as well as films.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cinema.lk/sitha-kumari-dies/ | title=Sitha Aunty on a journey she will never return | publisher=cinema.lk| access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref>
==Personal life== Kumari was born on 9 May 1940 in Ehelepola village, Matale.<ref name= seetha>{{cite web | url=http://www.divaina.com/2013/08/09/cineart05.html | title=Feedback from the audience is like a bond from the spirit | publisher=Divaina | access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref> She has one son, Pradeep Kumara Abeyratne, who currently lives in Italy.<ref name= seethakum>{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20121224/282346857137940 | title=I was nervous initially | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref>
She died on 7 August 2013 due to a sudden heart attack at the age of 73.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dinamina.lk/2013/08/08/_art.asp?fn=n1308089 | title=Veteran actress Seetha Kumari dies | publisher=Dinamina | access-date=25 January 2020 | archive-date=1 May 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501120919/http://archives.dinamina.lk/2013/08/08/_art.asp?fn=n1308089 | url-status=dead }}</ref> After the body being placed in the Colombo Art Gallery on 10 August 2013 from 10 am to 4 pm, funeral took place on the same day at Borella Cemetery.<ref name= seetha />
==Career== Her elder sister was married to Matale. After the husband's sudden death, Kumari with her son stayed at elder sister's house. The son was three years old at that time. One day, Ananda Jayaratne came to the house of sister to meet sister's son. When Ananda saw her that day, he asked to act in his film. She entered the cinema industry in 1968 with Ananda Jayaratne's film ''Adarai Karunavai'' with the role as a "servant".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://lankatruth.com/si/රංගන-ශිල්පිණී-සීතා-කුමාර/ | title=Actress Seetha Kumarihami has passed away | publisher=lankatruth| access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref> She was 25 years old at that time. She acted in more than 60 films since 1968 until her last appearance in 2011 film ''Sinhawalokanaya''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4729864/ | title=Seetha Kumari Ehalepola (1940–2013) | publisher=IMDb| access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref> Some of her popular films include ''Desa Nisa'', ''Wathsala Akka'', ''Ran Salu'', ''Akkara Paha'' and ''Segawunu Menika''.<ref name= kumari>{{cite web | url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2013/08/15/?fn=sa1308158 | title=Grandma's departure | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref>
After the cinema, Kumari started to act in Dhamma Jagoda's stage plays.<ref name= seetha /> Some of her popular stage plays are ''Wes Muhuna'', ''Weniyan Kalu Weniyan'' and ''Wessanthara''.<ref name= kumari /> Kumari learnt dancing from Shesha Palihakkara. After filmmaker A.B. Raj saw her at an exhibition, she offered a role in his film ''Ramyalatha''. Her first lead role in films came through film ''Sirimalee''. Then in 1960, she played the lead role opposite to Gamini Fonseka in the film ''Pirimiyek Nisa''. However, she quit from cinema due to father's death in the following year.<ref name= seethakum />
Her maiden television acting came through ''Dath Kekulu Paala'' directed by Sriyani Amarasena in 1990.<ref name= seetha /> Since then, she acted in many popular serials including, ''Giju'', ''Saapa Nokarav Daruwane'', ''Girikula'', ''Ramya Suramya'', ''Maya'', ''Dussaranayo'' and ''Ulamage Rathriya''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lifie.lk/2019/10/19/loving-mothers-of-sri-lankan-tele-dramas/ | title=Moms and grandparents leaving the screen | publisher=lifie.lk| access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref> She continued to act in single episode poya day television serials ''Sansare Piya Satahan'' directed by Ananda Abenayake and ''Sitha Niwana Katha'' directed by Dayaratne Ratagedara for many years with the role "Granny".<ref name= kumari />
===Selected television serials=== * ''Dath Kekulu Paala'' * ''Dooli Pinatharu''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.divaina.com/2011/11/20/meewitha03.html | title=Doowili Pinatharu | publisher=Divaina | access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref> * ''Dussaranayo'' * ''Eka Iththaka Mal'' * ''Giju'' * ''Girikula'' * ''Maya'' * ''Meghayen Eha''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://papper.gossiplankahotnews.com/2013/08/blog-post_10.html?m=0 | title=Grandma has gone | publisher=gossiplankahotnews | access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref> * ''Monarathanna'' * ''Nannadunanni'' * ''Ramya Suramya'' * ''Ran Samanalayo''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://hothotlanka.blogspot.com/2011/10/seetha-kumari.html | title=Chat with Seetha Kumari | publisher=hothotlanka| access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref> * ''Saapa Nokarav Daruwane'' * ''Sanda Mudunata''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2005/04/17/fea20.html | title=Sanda Mudunata: Pavel's TV venture | publisher=Sunday Observer | access-date=25 January 2020}}</ref> * ''Sansare Piya Satahan'' * ''Sitha Niwana Katha'' * ''Smarana Samapthi''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thecolombopost.net/entertainment/11550/ | title=Smarana Samapthi special screening | publisher=The Colombo Post | access-date=25 January 2020 | archive-date=26 January 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126103719/http://www.thecolombopost.net/entertainment/11550/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> * ''Ulamage Rathriya''
==Awards== Kumari has received many awards at local drama festivals.<ref name= seetha />
* Presidential Award in 1986 for the film ''Wathsala Akka'' * Critics Award for the film ''Tharanaya'' in 1998 * Best Supporting Actress at Sumathi Awards in 2000 for the serial ''Nannadunanni''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aniwa.lk/2017/11/01/1711011-sweet-memories-of-long-gone-stars/ |title=Stars that shape our telly screen and say goodbye to us |publisher=aniwa.lk |access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> * Presidential Award in 2005 for the film ''Pawuru Walalu'' * Excellence Awards at Sarasaviya Film Festival in 2008
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Role !! Ref. |- | 1960 || ''Pirimiyek Nisa'' || || |- | 1965 || ''Landaka Mahima'' || || |- | 1966 || ''Layata Laya'' || || |- | 1967 || ''Segawunu Menika'' || || |- | 1968 || ''Ruhunu Kumari'' || || |- | 1968 || ''Adarayay Karunawai'' || || |- | 1969 || ''Mee Masso'' || || |- | 1969 || ''Paara Walalu'' || || |- | 1970 || ''Akkara Paha'' || Sandha's mother || <ref>{{Cite web |title=All about the film "Akkara Paha" |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features/2019/05/30/5617/ප්%E2%80%8Dරවීණ-මාධ්%E2%80%8Dයවේදියකුගේ-අදීන-ගමන්-මඟ |access-date=2021-01-23 |website=sarasaviya}}</ref> |- | 1971 || ''Samanala Kumariyo'' || || |- | 1972 || ''Sujeewa'' || || |- | 1972 || ''Singapore Charlie'' || || |- | 1972 || ''Ihatha Athmaya'' || Nurse || |- | 1974 || ''Lasanda'' || Plantation worker || |- | 1975 || ''Pem Kurullo'' || || |- | 1975 || ''Tharanga'' || Mrs. Alpana || |- | 1975 || ''Jeewana Geethaya'' || || |- | 1975 || ''Desa Nisa'' || Nirukada's aunt || |- | 1976 || ''Nayana'' || || |- | 1976 || ''Wasana'' || Nurse || |- | 1976 || ''Deviyange Theenduwa'' || Sophie 'Hami' || |- | 1977 || ''Pembara Madhu'' || || |- | 1977 || ''Niwena Ginna'' || || |- | 1978 || ''Janaka Saha Manju'' || Orphanage name suggester || |- | 1978 || ''Kumara Kumariyo'' || Bandara aunty || |- | 1978 || ''Sasara'' || || |- | 1979 || ''Wasanthaye Dawasak'' || Heen Menike || |- | 1979 || ''Monarathenna'' || || |- | 1980 || ''Parithyagaya'' || Dhanaprema's mother || |- | 1980 || ''Sabeetha'' || Mrs. Silva || |- | 1981 || ''Suriyakantha'' || Mother || |- | 1981 || ''Ridee Thella'' || || |- | 1981 || ''Sathara Diganthaya'' || || |- | 1982 || ''Maha Gedara'' || Andiris's wife || <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features/2019/10/03/10214/මල්-විසීරිලා-වගේ-තාරකා-සිරී | title=All about Maha Gedara | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref> |- | 1982 || ''Pethi Gomara'' || Purnika's mother || |- | 1982 || ''Sanasanna Ma'' || || |- | 1982 || ''Wathura Karaththaya'' || || |- | 1982 || ''Malata Noena Bambaru'' || || <ref>{{Cite web |title=All about the film "Malata Noena Bambaru" |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/films/2019/03/14/3612/තහනම්-නොවූ-තහනමක්-මලට-නොඑන-බඹරු |access-date=2021-01-12 |website=sarasaviya}}</ref> |- | 1983 || ''Chutte'' || Celestina || |- | 1983 || ''Athin Athata'' || Nelum's relative || <ref>{{Cite web |title=Full of stars and rings: Athin Athata |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features/2019/07/04/6506/තරු-පලඳා-මුතු-පලඳා |access-date=2021-01-23 |website=sarasaviya}}</ref> |- | 1983 || ''Subodha'' || || |- | 1983 || ''Bonikka'' || Mrs. Serasinghe || |- | 1984 || ''Kiri Kawadi'' || Basil's mother || |- | 1984 || ''Adara Geethaya'' || || |- | 1984 || ''Deveni Gamana'' || || |- | 1984 || ''Hithawathiya'' || Maid || |- | 1984 || ''Wadula'' || Dingirala's mother || |- | 1984 || ''Hadawathaka Wedana'' || || |- | 1984 || ''Arunata Pera'' || Manike || |- | 1984 || ''Maya'' || Maggie || |- | 1985 || ''Wathsala Akka'' || || |- | 1986 || ''Mal Warusa'' || Pillawe Kumarihamy || |- | 1997 || ''Pavuru Valalu'' || Maggie || |- | 1997 || ''Duwata Mawaka Misa'' || || |- | 1997 || ''Tharanaya'' || || |- | 1997 || ''Punaruthpaththiya'' || || |- | 2000 || ''Sanda Yahanata'' || || |- | 2002 || ''Mage Wam Atha'' || Wife's mother || |- | 2003 || ''Sulang Kirilli'' || Wife's mother || |- | 2004 || ''Diya Yata Gindara'' || Sampath's mother || |- | 2004 || ''Premawanthayo'' || || |- | 2004 || ''Randiya Dahara'' || Samantha's aunt || |- | 2005 || ''Sulanga'' || || |- | 2006 || ''Hiripoda Wassa'' || Prema 'Aayamma' || |- | 2006 || ''Samaara'' || || |- | 2006 || ''Kurulu Pihatu'' || Granny || |- | 2007 || ''Sankranthi'' || || |- | 2008 || ''Machan'' || Manoj's Grandmother || |- | 2009 || ''Kanyavi'' || Somawathi || |- | 2011 || ''Sinhawalokanaya'' || Bindu's granny || |- | 2013 || ''Maw Senehasa'' || || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20130506/282484296269152 |title=Maw Senehasa unspools in London |publisher=Daily Mirror |access-date=23 January 2020}}</ref> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumari, Seetha}} Category:2013 deaths Category:1940 births Category:Sri Lankan film actresses