Gemini Kantha

Nona Yuhan Sheriffdeen (born 20 February 1925 – died 22 June 1992 as ජෙමිනි කාන්තා) [Sinhala]), popularly as stage name Jemini Kantha, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema.[1] One of the earliest pillars of Sinhala cinema, Kantha is considered as the first female comedian in Sinhala cinema. She was a pioneer comedy actress[2] known as "Josi Baba" and singer in early Sri Lankan cinema.[3]

Jemini Kantha
ජෙමිනි කාන්තා
Born
Nona Yuhan Sheriffdeen

(1925-02-20)20 February 1925
Matale, Sri Lanka
Died22 June 1992(1992-06-22) (aged 67)
Rome, Italy
NationalitySri Lankan
Other namesJemini Kantha
OccupationActress
Years active1947–1954

Personal life

Gemini Kantha was born on 20 February 1925 in Meewakkumbura village in Matale to a Malay father.[4]

Career

After the end of school life, Kantha joined the B. A. W. Jayamanne's Minerva Drama Group. She won a reputation as a singer who sang for the discs during the Gramophone era along with Eddie Jayamanne, Mohideen Baig and A.M.U Raj.[5] She became the first comic actress in Sri Lankan cinema with the role of "Josi baba" in Sri Lanka's first film Kadawunu Poronduwa in 1947. She also sang the song Nonage Ale Ge Meda Sale with Eddie Jayamanne.[4][6]

She has acted in only seven films in a short span of 8 years. She quit cinema after having her first child.[7] She also starred in Bennett Rathnayake's teledrama Tharu, which was her last appearance in career.[5]

Filmography
YearFilmRoleRef.
1947Kadawunu PoronduwaJosi baba
1948Kapati ArakshakayaSupina
1948Weradunu KurumanamaMaria
1949Peralena IranamaPabi Nona
1953Prema TharagayaPodihamy
1953SujathaEmily
1954Warada Kageda
1982Kadawunu Poronduwa remakeSong Performer

References
  1. "Actresses of Sinhala cinema - Jemini Kantha". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  2. Mel, Neloufer De (2001). Women & the Nation's Narrative: Gender and Nationalism in Twentieth Century Sri Lanka. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 85. ISBN 9780742518070.
  3. "Jemini Kantha filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  4. "The first comic actress of Sinhala cinema". janeelaya. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  5. "The name of the art is the Malays of Sri Lanka". Divaina. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  6. "Artists who brought smiles and said goodbye to us". lifie. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  7. "Unforgettables". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 25 January 2020.


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