Acting
Shayama Ananda is the elder daughter of acclaimed director and cinematographer M.S Ananda and her mother Violet Ananda. Ever since she was an infant, Shayama was involved in the entertainment industry. Her father M.S Ananda played an active role being Cameraman for various trademark films in Sri Lankan cinema. It was no question that she would find herself playing a lead role in films as she grew up.
Movies:
Her first appearance in a movie was when she was only a 6-month-old baby in the movie Vena Swargayak Kumatada (1960). This started a string of ‘child roles’ Shayama acted in:
- Suwaneetha Lalini (1962)
- Suhada Divi Piduma (1962)
- Sithaka Mahima (1964)
- Satha Panaha (1965)
- Athulveema Thahanam (1966)
- Senehasa (1969)
- Penawa Neda (1970)
Interview
In an interview with Ajith Alahakoon in 2016, Shayama was asked about her upbringing in the film industry and how she balanced both work life and education.
Ajith Alahakoon: When did you first feel that your father was a filmmaker?
Shayama Ananda: I ‘ve been hearing about movies at home since I was a kid. My father was the first chief cameraman for Lanka Studio. When I was six months old, my father gave me a role in Robin Tampoe’s movie. From there, my dad introduced me in films as a child, playing supporting roles. Ever since I was a child, I have always been around a home full of actors, actresses and filmmakers. We used my mother’s name ‘Violet Ananda’ as the producer of the films that my father made.
Shayama played a dual role as twin sisters in Parvesam Vanna(1969). Shayama’s role in Pravesamvenna (1969) won her the Lanka Deepa Deepasika award for the best child artist in Sri Lankan Sinhala Cinema at the time.
Shayama Series
Shayama’s first big role began in the first film of the Shayama Series directed by her father M.S Ananda, called ‘Mage Nangi Shayama’ (1975). She acted alongside Roy de Silva, H. R. Jothipala and Sumana Amarasinghe.
Her breakthrough role came in the second installment of the Shayama series in “Chandi Shyama’ (1978).
The Sri Lankan actress played dual roles in this movie, where she is played as a sister of Gamini Fonseka’s.
The third installment of the Shayama series titled “Hello Shyama”(1982) has Shayama playing the daughter of Gamini Fonseka, who both fight for justice of her mother.
Mage Nangi Shayama
It took 12 years until we saw the next and final installment of the Shayama Series in M.S Ananda’s last film featured as director. This film was a remake of the Popular western film ‘Home Alone’. In this film you have Shayama Ananda’s daughter Mandeera, playing a lead role as a child who is forgotten at home. Gamini Fonseka plays as the protector who comes to save Mandeera from two robbers, one robber played by Bandu Samarasinghe.
Gahanu Lamai
Back to 1978, we saw Shayama play ‘Padmini’ in the critically acclaimed Gahanu Lamai, directed by Sumithra Peiris. In this film Shayama plays as the best friend and class mate of Kusum (Vasanthi Chathurani). This movie is the first film Sri Lankan actress Vasanthi Chathurani acted in.
Shayama looks out for the well being and innocence of Kusum, protecting her from outside influences. Shayama received the O.C.I.C award for her supporting role in the film.
Personal Life
Shayama currently lives in Canada with Her Husband Saliya Perera, whom she married in 1980. They had their daughter Mandeera in 1982 and moved to Canada in 1985. They have a son Ritchie who was born in 1990.
Since moving to Canada, the Sri Lankan Actress has pursued various business opportunities. This includes owning a Timothy’s World Coffee in 2007 and in pursuing business ventures in the cake industry.
Currently today, Shayama’s focus has shifted to Cake Decorating and interior design.