Department of Posts,
Transworks House,
Colombo-01.
The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts will issue a new postage stamp in the denomination of Re 1.00 to honour Rukmani Devi on 28th October, 1990.
Daisy Daniels, popularly known as Rukmani Devi, the versatile stage and screen actress, singer and dancer was born on 15th January, 1923, at Ramboda in Nuwara Eliya. She was educated at Methodist College, Wellawatta and at St. Matthew’s College, Dematagoda.
“Siri Buddhagaya Vihare,” which she sang with Veteran musician H.W. Rupasinghe initiated her career as a singer.
Her first stage appearance was as “Seetha” in “Ramayanaya” followed by the lead roles in “Mayawathie,” “Janaki Harane” and “Siri Sangabo”.
Rukmani made her first appearance in films in 1947 playing the lead role in “Kadavunu Poronduwa,” the first Sinhala film. Her career in films extended over three decades.
Her sucess on stage and screen was due to a rare combination of good looks and a lilting voice that did not change with age. She played the role of heroine in over fifty films. She had the ability to play effortlessly and convincingly any role she undertook. Among her outstanding performances were “Malini” and “Vishna Bhai” in Kele Handa, “Siriyalatha” in Siriyalatha and “Pramila” in Dascon. She also played splendid roles in “Daiva Yogaya,” “Dostara” “Nalangana” “Mathe Bhedaya” and “Ahasin Polowata.” Her last performance was in “Sakviti Suvaya”. Her marriage to co-star Eddie Jayamanne was an inspiration to her career on stage and screen.
She did not accept roles which she felt would harm the cultural values of the country.
Rukmani Devi lived through five decades of change from the Tower Hall Tradition to the era of Solo Musical Shows, until her tragic death on 28th October, 1978.
The Rukmani Devi Museum established by the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation in Negombo is a monument to her unique contribution to the theatrical and cinematic arts.
Philatelic Details
| Date of Issue | 1990.10.28 |
| Value | Re. 1.00 |
| Colours | Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black |
| Design | Portrait of Rukmani Devi |
| Designer | Based on a Photograph |
| Format | Vertical |
| Size | 29.85 x 40.64 mm. |
| Printers | M/s Security Printers, Malaysia |
| Printing Process | Offset Lithography |
| Sheet Composition | 50 stamps on a sheet |
| Paper | 102 gsm security postage stamp |
| Gum | Partical Gum |
| Perforation | 12 x 12 |
| Quantity Printed | 1,000,000 |
