Thursday, June 17, 2010

Mrs Iranagani Serasinhe- Dramatist


Iranganie Roxanna Serasinghe (née Meedeniya) (born 1931) is a Sri Lankan actress. Since her debut in Rekava, Serasinghe has become recognized for playing motherly figures in various films and television serials.

ranganie Meedeniya grew up in Mudugamuwa, near Ruwanwella in a tranquil village setting. Her early touches with nature would later lead her to become an environmental activist. In the meantime Meedeniya was encouraged to pursue acting by her parents. While attending Bishop's College she played in several end-of-term plays; at Girls' High School, Kandy whilst pursuing a HSC Meedeniya took a leading role in an adaptation of Pygmalion.

Against her father a Rate Mahatthaya's wishes, Meedeniya entered the University of Ceylon in 1947 with the support of her cousins. He died in her first year away at a time when Marxist ideas were the norm. She immersed herself in the Ceylon theater scene while there under the guidance of Professor Ludowyk; she also became a proficient dancer with lessons from Chitrasena.

She eventually graduated with an Arts degree and travelled to London with letters of recommendation from Ludowyk following a marriage to Professor Dissanayake (they divorced some time later). There with the help of actresses Flora Robson and Sybil Thorndyke, Meedeniya attended Bristol Old Vic Theatre School for a year and the London School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art for two years.


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