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Dharmadasa Walpola
Dharmadasa Walpola ( Sinhala: ධර්මදාස වල්පොල) (1927–1983) was the most prominent Sri Lankan male playback singer of the 1950s and 1960s. Walpola was an accomplished musician adapt at playing the flute, harmonium, violin and tabla. Biography Early life Walpola's father Palis Ayya worked with costumes for the Tower Hall theater. Walpola had to forgo his education at a young age to support his family and for a time built masks for the Sri Lankan army. At that time he won a role in Sirisena Wimalaweera's play ''Amma'' singing a virindu. He subsequently acted and sang in the play ''Wessanthara'' as well. To master the flute, Walpola began taking lessons from Eddie Master and then attended R. A. Chandrasena's Academy. Chandrasena was impressed by Walpola's ability to sing and after auditioning several songs with harmonium accompaniment, sent a good word to the Radio Ceylon broadcaster Thevis Guruge. Guruge gave Walpola a sarala gee programme with ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Deiyannewela
Deiannewela or Deiyannewela ( Tamil language, Tamil: தெய்யன்னவெல) is a Village Officer Domain (or GN Division) of Gangawata Korale Divisional Secretariat in Kandy District, Central Province, Sri Lanka, Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is the location of a railway station and the National Hospital (Teaching), Kandy, National Hospital. In 1934 the Kandy Municipal Council, constructed a number of model tenements in Deiyannewela, as part of its slum clearance programme. As the building of these tenements proceeded slums in other areas of Kandy were declared unfit for human habitation, those structures were destroyed and the occupants were rehoused in the new tenements. There were over 145 tenement buildings constructed, housing over one thousand unskilled and skilled labourers. The model tenements, along with those constructed at Katukelle and Mahaiyawa, were the first of their kind in the country. The program was sponsored and promoted by George E. de Silva, the Mi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Thevis Guruge
Thevis Guruge (died 23 July 1989) was a distinguished broadcaster with Radio Ceylon and subsequently the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. He was the first Sinhala Announcer with Radio Ceylon, the oldest radio station in South Asia. Iconic status He enjoyed iconic status alongside other announcers of the station, Guruge was one of the early pioneers particularly where the Sinhala service was concerned. Millions tuned into Radio Ceylon. He was the second announcer in Radio Ceylon, who joined in 1949. He retired in 1983. Chairman of ITN In the 1980s Thevis Guruge was appointed Competent Authority of ITN Independent Television News (ITN) is a UK-based media production and broadcast journalism company. ITN is based in London, with bureaux and offices in Beijing, Brussels, Jerusalem, Johannesburg, New York City, New York, Paris, Sydney and Washin ... in Sri Lanka after it was acquired by the government. Guruge was assassinated in 1989 by the JVP, whose youth squad had thr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sanath Nandasiri
Sangeeth Nipun Herath Mudiyanselage Sanath Nandasiri (15 February 1942–28 March 2023) was a Sri Lankan singer, musician, music director, composer and playback singer. He was the Chancellor (education), chancellor of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts in Sri Lanka. One of the iconic singers in Sri Lankan music, Nandasiri received several awards for his compositions in a career spanned more than six decades. He also composed the music to ''Sandamalige Kathawa'', the first TV serial on Rupavahini. Personal life and family background Nandasiri was born on 15 February 1942 in Gothatuwa, Sri Lanka, as the third child to businessman and building contractor, H. M. William Perera and Dona Amalin Katugampola, a housewife. He completed his primary education from Gothatuwa Maha Vidyalaya and St. Matthew's College, Dematagoda for O/Ls. Then he attended Mahabodhi Maha Vidyalaya for Advanced Level and finally Stafford College to study English. During school times, he excelled ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ajantha Ranasinghe
Senanayake Mudianselage Ranasinghe Arachchilage Ajantha Sarath Kumara Ranasinghe (30 May 1940 – 27 February 2016), popularly known as Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe, was a Sri Lankan journalist, lyricist, poet, and novelist. Over the course of a 40 year career, he contributed to nearly 60 films and more than 400 songs. Personal life Ajantha Ranasinghe was born on 30 May 1940 in Thalammahara, a small village in the Kurunegala district, as the second of five siblings. His father was a doctor and his mother was both a teacher and a postmaster. He had one elder sister, two younger sisters, and a younger brother. After obtaining his primary education at the Pannala Government School, he moved to Colombo and resumed his studies at St. John's College, Nugegoda. He left after completing the GCE Ordinary Level Exams. Ranasinghe was married to Sarojini Weeratunge, the daughter of late singer Kokiladevi Weeratunga. The couple had two children: Saranga and Devalochana. Journalist career Ranasing ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kurulu Bedda
Kurulu Bedda is a 1961 Sri Lankan drama directed by L. S. Ramachandran and written by P. K. D. Seneviratne. It attempted to follow in the precedent set by ''Rekava'' and create a truly Sinhala film. Plot The story takes place in a small Sri Lankan village Kurulu Bedda. The Bandara family are members of the wealthy elite. Bandara Mahatthaya is the young heir of the family name and Bandara Menike is his mother. Siyadoris is a village man who works for the Bandara family. He has a pretty daughter named Ranmenike. Another member of the village is Kaithan Baas, a crafty marriage broker who advises Bandara Menike. Bandara Mahatthaya has given up his medical education to take up his family properties when his father dies. He becomes attracted to Ranmenike after spotting her taking a bath while walking with a friend from medical school. He takes a photo of her and is seen by Kaithan Baas, who scolds this behavior to his mother. Kaithan is brought before the rural court soon after on a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sandesaya
''Sandesaya'' ( Sinhalese language word meaning ''The Message'') is a 1960 Sri Lankan film directed by Lester James Peries. The film is based on the war between the Sinhalese people and the Portuguese invaders in Sri Lanka. It was produced by K. Gunaratnam on behalf of the Cinemas Company on the request of Raj Kapoor. Plot A band of guerrillas led by Bandara (Ananda Jayaratne) lead a resistance against Portuguese invaders. Bandara is in love with Sumana (Kanthi Gunatunga). Cast * Ananda Jayaratne as Bandara * Kanthi Gunatunga as Sumana * Gamini Fonseka as Dhamitha * David Dharmakeerthi as Disapathi Ekanayake 'Disawa' * Arthur Van Langenberg as Captain Antony Rodrigo * Vincent Vaas as Sandeshaya Carrier * Hugo Fernando as Vithana Rala * Eddie Jayamanne as Mamma * Shane Gunaratne as Sira * Iranganie Serasinghe as Yaso Hami * Bandu Gunasekara as Punchappu * Douglas Wickremasinghe as Mudaliwuna Malwana * Thilakasiri Fernando as Cart driver * Shanthi Lekha as Executed man's wife * ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Seda Sulang
Seda Sulang (), is a 1955 Sri Lankan romantic musical film directed and produced by Thambiraja Somasekaran for Ceylon Films Limited. The film starred Florida Jayalath and Prem Jayanth in lead roles and Dommie Jayawardena and David Dharmakeerthi in supportive roles. Cast * Florida Jayalath as Seetha * Prem Jayanth as Sunil * Dommie Jayawardena as Eddie * David Dharmakeerthi as Sir Edward Palipana * Rosalyn Fernando as Mrs. Palipana * Sujatha Paramanathan as Eddie's wife * Lilian Edirisinghe * Piyadasa Gunasekera as Anton * Richard Albert as Rodaya * Sunil Premadasa as Rasthiyadu * Mohideen Baig as Beggar * Dharma Sri Ranatunga as Edward * Shanti Abeysekara as Dancing teacher * Daya Abeysekara as Young Sunil * Padmini Dahanayake as Young Seetha * Bimba Kumari as Leela * T. Somasekaran * M. P. Gilman Production The film was filmed at the Vahini Studio in Madras, where Somasekaran included several scenes from Sri Lanka such as the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, the Parliament ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Asoka (1955 Film)
Asoka is a 1955 Sri Lankan romantic musical based on the Bollywood film '' Sheesa''. Cast * Sumith Bibile as Sarath * Pushpa Janet as Asoka * Ananda Weerakoon as Harry * Punya Heendeniya * Eddie Yapa as Pattiya * Benjamin Fernando as Seeya * D. J. Samarakkody * Sumith Dissanayake as Doctor * Prema Kanthi * Wimala Kumari as Sisi * Sheela Renuka as Sarath's sister * S. H. Jothipala as Goviya * Oliver Silva as Thel Veda * Dharmadasa Kulatunga as Beggar * W. Chularatne as Donald * Noel Perera * Marcus Perera * N. R. Dias * G. S. B. Rani * Seetha Nanayakkara * E. Marshall Perera Songs The songs were recorded by the cast for the movie and by prominent playback singers for general release: *"Katharagamey" – Jikki, Dharmadasa Walpola and chorus (lyrics by Abeysekera) *"Sataneki Jivithe" – Dharmadasa Walpola (lyrics by Abeysekera) *"Thanivay Upanne" – Mohideen Baig (lyrics by Abeysekera; melody from 1954 Bollywood film ''Dost'') *"Maruwa Maruwa" – G. S. B. R ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mohideen Baig
Kala Suri Alhaj Kareem Mohideen Baig (, ; 5 December 1919 – 4 November 1991), popularly as Mohidin Beg, was a Sri Lankan musician. One of the most influential singers in Sinhala music, Baig is known particularly for his Buddhist devotional music. He was a Muslim who moved to Sri Lanka from Salem in Tamil Nadu, but of Hyderabadi Muslim origin. He was considered a highly influential multicultural figure in the country's arts history. Baig is the first award winning citizen of Sri Lanka. Personal life Born on 5 December 1919 in Salem South India as the third of the family, Baig belonged to an Indian tribe called Pathan. Baig's paternal lineage is descended from a pro-Islamic lineage with a centuries-old history. His father Kareem Baig served as a police officer in Salem. Bijan B was his mother. He was educated at a school in Salem and received his primary education in music from several music teachers in Salem particularly talented in singing Urdu and Qawali songs. Kareem and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |