Dabare Kusum Renuka Liyanage (born January 30, 1961, as කුසුම් රේණු) [Sinhala]), popularly as Kusum Renu, is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema[1] theater and television.[2] She is best known for the role Madhuri in television sitcom Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni and role Vishaka Samaranayake in the film Dharmayuddhaya.[3]
Kusum Renu | |
|---|---|
| කුසුම් රේණු | |
| Born | Dabare Kusum Renuka Liyanage January 30, 1961 |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Education | Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Tharuki Amaya Nipuni Preksha |
| Relatives | Vidhushi Uththara (cousin daughter) |
Personal life
Kusum Renu was born on 30 January 1961 in Colombo and completed her education from Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda.[4] At the school times, she was a good sportswoman, a Girl Guide, a school prefect and a member of the school debating team. She also played Esraj for the Eastern Band.
Kusum Renu is married to Sriyantha Mendis, who is also a renowned actor and director.[5] She met Sriyantha during the stage drama Pandukabhaya in 1984 and couple married on 25 October 1986 after the proposal in April 1985.[6] The couple has two daughters.[7] Elder daughter Nipuni Preksha is married to Shan Amanda Perera.[8] Younger daughter Tharuki Amaya also acted in stage play Subha saha Yasa. Her cousin daughter Vidhushi Uththara is also a popular actress in television.[9]
Elder daughter Nipuni specializes in fashion design, costume design, and stage costume design. Her husband Shan is an engineer. Their daughter is Gabriela Kathleen. Second daughter Tharuki completed a NIBM course and studied Human Resources Degree.[10]
Acting career
Renu started acting since school times. Her uncle Senadheera Kuruppu was a popular actor at that time, where she made her public acting debut.[11] Her first role came through T.B. Illangaratne's stage play Sailasanaya.[12] Then she acted many television serials. In 1982 for Mandaram Wahi, Renu won four Certificates of Merit from National Youth Services Council. In the following year, she won a merit award for the role in Deiyange Punchi Akkaraya. In 1984, she won the Best actress award for the role in Hima Kunatuwa.[7]
Renu got the opportunity to play the role of a maid and then the role of a prostitute in Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra's play Mahasara. She was given the role of Jane Oyster, the wife of a police officer Oyster Perera, in Sriyantha Mendis' play Sudu Saha Kalu. The uniqueness was that her verbal gesture was limited to three dialogues throughout the play. She also has had the opportunity to play many historical characters in various art forms in recent times: as the queen of King Gajaba in the play Shashree Gajaba created by Vijaya Nandasiri. She also played the role 'Puransina' in the play Rassa Saha Parassa directed by Sriyantha Mendis. Prior to that, Renu acted as 'Lenchina' in Prof. Ariyaratne Kaluarachchi's play Jasaya and Lenchina. She then starred in the later production of Bandula Vithanage's play Romaya Gini Gani.[13]
After the marriage in 1986, she took a break for the acting. She marked the comeback by winning Best Actress award at the State Drama Festival for the role in Deweni Mahinda in 1998.[14] In 2000, she played the role 'vasuki' in the play Paadada Asapuwa directed by Sriyanatha. The premiere was held here on her birthday, January 30, 2000.
Selected television serials
- Agni Piyapath
- Aluth Gedara
- Anne[15]
- Bandhanaa (2022)
- Damini
- Damsaari (2012)[16]
- Dangamalla (2006) [17]
- Deiyange Punchi Akkaraya (1983)
- Deydunu Yanaya (2001)[18]
- Doowaru (2012)[19]
- Ethuma
- Gajaman Nona
- Himagira Naga [20]
- Hima Kunatuwa (1984)
- Hiruta Pipena Sooriyakantha [21]
- Iththo (2019) [22]
- Itu Devi Vimana [23]
- Mandaram Wahi (1982)
- Mathi Nethi Daa (2003) [24]
- Mini Muthu (2012) [25]
- Nannaththara (2022) [26]
- Neela Pabalu (2023)
- Nil Mal Viyana (2004) [27]
- Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni as Madhuri (1997)
- Paradeesaya [28]
- Package (2018)
- Pinkanda Simona [29]
- Pipi Piyum (2007)[30]
- Prarthana Mal (2010)[31]
- Puja (2002) [32]
- Raja Bhavana (2003)[33]
- Rankira Soya (2004) [34]
- Ran Miriwedi
- Ran Sevaneli (2009)[35]
- Ruwan Maliga as Trilicia[7]
- Sanda Numba Nam[36]
- Satharadenek Senpathiyo [37]
- Sathara Ima Gini [38]
- Senehase Geethaya (2006)[39][40]
- Sihina Genena Kumariye (2020)
- Sihina Kumari (2009)[41]
- Sulang Kapolla [42]
- Visirunu Renu (2008)[43]
- Wassane Sihinaya (2009)[44]
- Wes Muhunu
Selected stage dramas
- Danga Malla (2013)[45]
- Mama Wenama Malak
- Suba Saha Yasa[46]
- Mandaram Wehi (1982)
- Jasaya Saha Lenchina
- Deiyange Punchi Akkaraya (1983)
- Hima Kunatuwa (1984)
- Mahasara
- Raththaran
- Bheema Bhumi
- Ekata Mata Hinahina
- Magul Prastawa
- Ratnawalee
- Padada Asapuwa
- Wellawehum
- Deveni Mahinda (1998)
- Mama Wenama Malak (2011)[47]
- Gebbara Minisa (2011)[48]
- Raassa Paraassa[49]
- Sudu Saha Alu[50]
- Mamai Anduwa (2018)[51]
- Hankithi Dahathuna[52]
- Yathuru Hilen Balanna'[53]
Filmography
Her maiden cinematic experience came through 1979 film Jeewana Kandulu, but was an uncredited role. In 1981, her major cinematic breakthrough was from Sathkulu Pawwa, which gained fame.[14] Some of her popular films are Suhada Koka, Maharaja Gemunu and Dharmayuddhaya.[54][55]
| Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Jeewana Kandulu | ||
| 1981 | Eka Dawasak Ra | ||
| 1981 | Sathkulu Pawwa | ||
| 1998 | Julietge Bhumikawa | Patient | |
| 2002 | Punchi Suranganavi | Mrs. Pereira | [56] |
| 2003 | Sonduru Dadabima | Madhumathi | [57] |
| 2006 | Bherunda Pakshiya | [58] | |
| 2011 | Sinhawalokanaya | Dingiri Menike | [59] |
| 2012 | Kusa Pabha | Queen Madhuraja | [60] |
| 2015 | Suhada Koka | Malini | [61] |
| 2015 | Sanjana | [62] | |
| 2015 | Maharaja Gemunu | Queen Viharamaha Devi | [63] |
| 2017 | Dharmayuddhaya | Vishaka Samaranayake | [64] |
| 2018 | Gharasarapa | Vidya's mother | [65] |
| 2019 | Jaya Sri Amathithuma | Godamune madam | [66] |
| 2023 | Kathuru Mithuru | cameo role | |
| 2023 | Midunu Vishwaya | [67] | |
| TBD | Surangana Lowin Awilla | Jayashan's Mother | |
| TBD | Goal | [68] |
Awards
Hiru Golden Film Award
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Maharaja Gemunu | Best Supporting Actress[69] | Won |
| 2018 | Dharmayuddhaya | Merit Award[70] | Won |