Haupe Liyanage Athukorala Morris Joseph Ranabahu, (born 18 May 1938 – died 29 October 2001: si, ෆෙ‍්‍රඩී සිල්වා), popularly as Freddie Silva, was a

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...

film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmospher ...

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), lit ...

, and

playback singer A playback singer, also known as a ghost singer, is a singer whose singing is pre-recorded for use in films. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras; the actual singer does not ap ...

, who appeared from 1973 until 2002. Freddie was known for being one of the most popular

n comedians of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He appeared in over 400 films and Produced 2 films, of which 300 were screened at the celebration of fifty years in Sinhala Cinema.

Early life

Silva was born on 18 May 1938 in Puvakaramba,

Moratuwa Moratuwa ( si, මොරටුව, ta, மொறட்டுவை) is a large suburb of Colombo, on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, near Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia. It is situated on the Galle–Colombo (Galle road) main highway, south o ...

, Sri Lanka as the only child of the family. Silva's father was an overseer for the Moratuwa Urban Council and his mother was a member of

Salvation Army Salvation (from Latin: ''salvatio'', from ''salva'', 'safe, saved') is the state of being saved or protected from harm or a dire situation. In religion and theology, ''salvation'' generally refers to the deliverance of the soul from sin and its ...

. Growing up he was fascinated with singing and dancing. St. Sebastian's College was his Alma mater.

Music career

In the 1950s Silva performed the Alanson Mendis composition "Bar Bar Bar" in front of Sir

John Kotelawala General Sir John Lionel Kotelawala ( si, ශ්‍රිමත් ජෝන් ලයනල් කොතලාවල; 4 April 1897 – 2 October 1980) was a Sri Lankan statesman, who served as the 3rd Prime Minister of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) fro ...

and was warmly received. He used this opportunity to get a letter of recommendation from Kotelawala which he presented to Livy Wijemanne of

Radio Ceylon Radio Ceylon ( si, ලංකා ගුවන් විදුලි සේවය ''Lanka Guwan Viduli Sevaya'', ta, இலங்கை வானொலி, ''ilankai vanoli'') is a radio station based in Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) and the first ...

to secure a job as a radio artist. Silva's first recording was "Mottapala." He followed the song with "Bar Bar Bar" now updated with music by P. L. A. Somapala. It was a success. Subsequent efforts teamed Silva with the late

Premakirthi de Alwis Samaraweera Mudalige Don Premakeerthi de Alwis (3 June 1947 – 31 July 1989 as si, ප්‍රේමකීර්ති ද අල්විස්), popularly known as Premakeerthi de Alwis, was a Sri Lankan radio and television broadcaster an ...

. Their work include comedic songs like "Aron Mama", "Pankiritta", "Nedeyo", "Handa Mama", "Kekille Rajjuruwo" and "Parana Coat" (from ''Lokuma Hinawa''). Silva's crowning achievement is considered the tune "Kundumani."

Acting career

Silva got his first screen role through a chance meeting with K. A. W. Perera in 1963. At that time he was living with

H. R. Jothipala Hettiarachchige Reginald Jothipala ( si, එච්.ආර්. ජෝතිපාල; 12 February 1936 – 7 July 1987), popularly as H. R. Jothipala, was a Sri Lankan playback singer in the Sinhala cinema as well as a film actor. Considered as ...

and Roy de Silva and frequented parties as a guest entertainer. Perera cast Silva in ''Suhada Sohoyuro'' alongside L. S. Ramachandran and Vijitha Mallika. He appeared at a dance on the beach singing "Diya Rella Werale Hapi Hapi" with Pushparani and went on to be cast in mainly comedic roles. The serious side of Silva was seen in ''Sekaya'' (1965), ''Lasanda'' (1974) and ''Sukiri kella'' (1975). In the 1975 film he played a mentally handicapped character and in preparation for the role lived with a real handicapped boy in Koralawella. By the 1980s, producers were reluctant to make a film without Silva fearing that the movie would flop. He was then living an extravagant life and saved little. In 1989 Silva was awarded the Ranathisara award by leading film weekly Sarasaviya. A turning moment came when his friend

Vijaya Kumaratunga Kovilage Anton Vijaya Kumaranatunga ( si, කොවිලගේ ඇන්ටන් විජය කුමාරණතුංග; ta, விஜய_குமாரணதுங்க; 9 October 1945 – 16 February 1988), popularly known as Vijaya ...

(who he appeared alongside in ten films the last being ''Yukthiyada Shakthiyada'') was murdered. He cites this event as leading to the downfall of cinema. Still Silva stayed busy appearing in 15 of the 26 films made in 1992.

Personal life

Freddie Silva was a father of two children from his only marriage to Kamala Swarnalatha Prera. His son Janesh Silva was also an actor and a singer.> Freddie's daughter Chandani Silva is a singer and actress. She is currently working to keep his father and brother's legacy. Janesh Silva was born on 26 January 1962 and attended to Carey College for studies. He was married to Hemamala and they have one son Janith Silva. Janesh died on June 10, 2012 while he was taking medical treatment for cancer. Janesh Silva is known as a comedian that acted in 10+ films. Freddie Silva died on 29 October 2001 in Siddamulla at the age of 63.

Filmography

As Producer

Songs

* ''Aachchi Podi Wedawarjanayak'' * ''Aappa Weladaamey Umba'' - with Kalawathee * ''Aaraadhitha Amuththek (Vikata Rasaanga)'' - with

Gemunu Wijesuriya Gamunu Mahinda Wijesuriya (5 August 1934 – 19 March 2007: as si, ගැමුණු විජේසූරිය), was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre, radio and television as well as a broadcaster, comedian, singer and radio program pr ...

* ''Aaron Maama'' * ''Aaronge Malli Baaron'' * ''Aawaa Mey Mama'' - with Anjaleen Gunathilake * ''Ahanna Balanna'' * ''Aladinge Puduma Pahana'' - with

Nihal Nelson Nihal Nelson ( si, නිහාල් නෙල්සන්; 9 January 1946 – 13 December 2022) was a Sri Lankan vocalist, songwriter and composer. One of the most influential singers in Sri Lanka, and considered 'undefeated on the concert st ...

* ''Allapu Gedarin'' * ''Aluth Kathawak'' * ''Aluth Kalaawak'' * ''Amuthu Adum ada'' * ''Anangaya Anangaya'' - with Anjaleen Gunathilake * ''Amuthu Sathaa'' * ''Andare'' * ''Andare Mehe Waren'' - with Desmond De Silva * ''Anna Hande Haawa'' * ''Api Kaatada Baya'' - with H.R. Jothipala * ''Arabiye Thele'' * ''Arulu Burulu'' * ''Ata Sakilla Waage'' * ''Athaka Selawena'' * ''Athadunna Hithawanthi'' * ''Aththa Yukthiyata'' * ''Au Au Au Au Mage Sawarina'' * ''Ayiya Saami'' - with Kalawathee * ''Baanumathi'' * ''Bachna Bachana'' * ''Balla Balla'' * ''Ballan Biruwata''
''Ballata Ethiwedakuthne''
* ''Bam Manna'' * ''Bar Eken Beela'' * ''Bara Karaththe'' * ''Batakola Wattiyakata'' - with Kalawathiee * ''Beela Beela'' * ''Blade Thaley'' * ''Bombay Sundaree'' * ''Bola Kadala Seeni Kadala'' - with Kalawathee * ''Boru Manasgaatha Noweyi'' * ''Bulath Wadiyak'' * ''Buruthu Buruthu Mal'' * ''Buuru Naamba'' * ''Chandrase Kelum'' * ''Cheriyo Kiyala Me'' - with Gration Ananda * ''Cheene Indalaa Aawe'' - with Kalawathee * ''Chi Chi Chi'' * ''Chimpanci Putha '' * ''Chin Chin Nona'' - with

and Milton Perera * ''Dannawu Rata Pawathenna Wu'' * ''Dawasak Daa Kakuluwekuta'' * ''Deweta Dige Man Awa'' * ''Dil Thadap Thadap (Illagena Kana Parippu)'' * ''Diya Yata Wiskam'' * ''Duka Wanasana Sepa - with

Milton Mallawarachchi Sumanasiri Mallawarachchi Don (7 April 1944–10 March 1998: si, මිල්ටන් මල්ලවාරච්චි), popularly known as Milton Mallawarachchi, was a Sri Lankan singer and musician. One of the most respected singers in ...

and

M. S. Fernando Mahagamage Samson Fernando, ( si, එම්. එස්. ප්‍රනාන්දු; 4 March 1936 - 9 April 1994), popularly as M. S. Fernando, was a Sri Lankan singer and musician. He is a major player in the development of Baila music and w ...

* ''Ekamath Eka Rataka Ea Kale'' * ''Enakota Enawa Hina Wevi (Nadayo)'' * ''Enna Enna Wadiwenna'' * ''Gaha Kola Mal'' - with H.R Jothipala * ''Gaja Labai Nona Mahathune (Pacha)'' * ''Galkisse Muhudu Werale'' * ''Galu Muwadora Pitiye (Dahas Gananakin)'' * ''Ganu Parane Mawwe Deyyo'' * ''Gigiri Jagari Handawana'' * ''Giri Goris'' * ''Handa Mama Udin'' * ''Indi Gaha Yata Wadiwela'' * ''Ipadunu Rata Daya'' * ''Irida Pole Domba Gaha Yata'' * ''Jack Saha Jil'' * ''Kamatha Gawa - with Nirosha Virajini * ''Kaputulanthe Wasiyo'' * ''Kawadawath Na Mehema Deyak'' * ''Kawuda Gona (Oon Maru Hathara Hina)'' * ''Kawuda Me Ane'' - with Kalawathee * ''Kewilige Patiya (Kaputige Kooduwe)'' * ''Lagadi Papai Nondi Jimai'' * ''Lokaya Namathi Game'' * ''Maduruwathi (Keen Koon Hangi Hangi)'' * ''Maha Kaleka Benayaka (Naga Rajaya)'' * ''Maha Kelaye Nuga Sewane (Bakamuna)'' * ''Mamai Motta Pala'' * ''Mame Me Bakamuna'' - with H.R Jothipala * ''Mangala Athupita Sarasi'' * ''Mayam Mawala Pala'' * ''Me Danno Danithi'' * ''Mini Gejji Handana'' * ''My Name Is Saiman Silva'' * ''Naga Rajaya (Maha Kalayaka Benayaka)'' * ''Nandamma Na Nedo'' - with

Srilal Abeykoon Tissa Srilal Abeykoon (31 December 1953 – 16 April 2020 as ශ්‍රීලාල් අබේකෝන්) inhala, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. One of the most popular television actors in Sri Lanka, he is mo ...

* ''Nikamma Inna Wadata Adanna (Pin Batha)'' * ''Nitharama Biruwata Ballek'' * ''Oba Raja Weela'' - with Kalawathee * ''Onna Babo Billo Enawa'' * ''Or Mister'' * ''Pana Palayan Labana Sumane'' * ''Pankiriththa'' * ''Parana Coat'' * ''Parawiya Wage Raja Malige'' * ''Pata Sarungal Wagei'' - with Vijaya Kumaranatunga * ''Princy Darling My Sweety'' * ''Raigamayanani Gampolayanani'' * ''Raja Umbane Gona'' * ''Rakinna Kiyala Aran Thibba'' * ''Ran Thatiyaka Kiri Pani Purawala'' * ''Rupiyal Lakshayak Thagi'' * ''Salli Labenakota'' * ''Sando Gundo (Kalayakin Nowa Munagahune)'' * ''Sopinath Ekka Man'' * ''Surangani Surangani'' * ''Thamath Innawa (Vijaya Kuwenila)'' * ''Thangamani'' - with Kalawathee * ''Thea Kude Pite Badan'' * ''Tikiri Kirilliyo'' * ''Topsina Premi Mage'' * ''Upan Dine Langa Ena Hinda'' * ''Vikara Loke Loka Vikare'' * ''Wadath Agei Hadath Penei'' - with Gration Ananda * ''Weda Mahaththaya'' * ''Wella Simbimin Rali Perale'' * ''Yakada Kate'' - with Anjaleen Gunathilaka * ''Yantham Athi'' * ''Yantham English Dana Gaththa''