- Dharmadasa Walpola
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Dharmadasa Walpola (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.
Contents
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.[1]
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 a duet partner G. S. B. Rani Perera.[1]
Playback singing (1953-1965)
Walpola debuted as a playback singer in the 1953 film Prema Tharangaya alongside his future wife Rita Genevi Fernando.[2] Around 1956, Walpola married Fernando who subsequently adapted the name Latha Walpola. From his debut to the early 60s, Walpola dominated male playback singing in Sri Lankan cinema providing a counterpoint to the harsh Carnatic style of Mohideen Baig with his softer more melodic voice which lend itself to love songs. His best known work from this period include "Seeya Manamalaya" from Asoka (1955), "Amu Pitisareyeki" from Seda Sulang (1955), "Upatha Labaa" and "Suba Aasiri (Hanika Yamang)" from Mathalang (1955), "Surathalee" from Surathalee (1956), "Katey Kiri Suwanda" from Sandesaya (1960), "Oya Belma" and "Waththe Wetunu Pol Athu" from Kurulu Bedda (1961) and "Man Mula Wela" from Deepashika (1963).
Walpola's dueting partners included Vivian de Silva Boralessa, Chitra Somapala ("Pem Suwandai") and Rukmani Devi in addition to Latha.
Later life
Walpola successfully returned to Radio Ceylon with "Uthama Muni Dalada" (lyrics by Ajantha Ranasinghe and music by Sanath Nandasiri.)[1]
Walpola served as a music teacher later on in his life. He died on December 25, 1983.[1]
Personal life
Walpola had four children (Sumith, Amith, Dammika and Chaminda) with Latha. He was a deeply devoted Buddhist who maintained an orderly routine of prayers each day.
References
- ^ a b c d "Dharmadasa Walpola". SLBC. 2008. http://www.infolanka.com/miyuru_gee/int/int34.ram. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
- ^ "Latha Walpola - Nightingale of Sri Lanka". Asian Tribune. 2007. http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/8413. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
External links
Categories:- Playback singers
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