H. R. Jothipala

Infobox Artist
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name = H.R. Jothipala


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birthname = Hettiarachchige Reginald Jothipala
Alias = Jothi
birthdate = birth date|1936|2|12|mf=y
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deathdate = death date and age|1987|7|7|1936|2|12|mf=y
deathplace =
nationality = Sri Lankan
field = Sinhala Music
Genre = Playback singing, Sri Lankan music
Years_active = 1956 – 1987
Genres = Playback singing, acting
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Hettiarachchige Reginald Jothipala (February 12, 1936 – July 7, 1987) was a prolific playback singer in the Sinhala cinema. Jothipala rendered his voice to all classes of actors ranging from Eddie Jayamanne, Ananda Jayaratne, Gamini Fonseka, Vijaya Kumaratunga, Sanath Gunathilaka, Ravindra Randeniya and several others of young generation stars like Damith Fonseka, Lal Weerasinghe and other newcomers.

Biography

Early life

Jothipala was born the first child of a middle-class family from Southern Sri Lanka. [ Sinhala Jukebox. [http://www.sinhalajukebox.org/feature/Jothipala.php "Tribute to H R Jothipala!!"] . "Sinhala Jukebox". Retrieved November 20 2006.] He attended St. Lawrence College in Maradana and St. John’s College in Dematagoda. Jothipala would visit tea kiosks during this period to hear music as his family didn't own a radio. [ Uvais, Ramesh. [http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:K-69F-y_VqsJ:www.dailymirror.lk/inside/entert/030702.html+jothipala+site:www.dailymirror.lk&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1 "Jothi, always alive in our hearts"] . "Daily Mirror". Retrieved November 20 2006.]

Jothipala made his debut as a playback singer on Cyril P. Abeyratne's "Surathalee" singing, "Siriyame Sara," in 1956. [ Sinhala Jukebox. [http://www.sinhalajukebox.org/feature/Jothipala.php "Tribute to H R Jothipala!!"] . "Sinhala Jukebox". Retrieved November 20 2006.] Prior to this he had recorded a song for the late Sirisena Wimalaweera's "Podi Putha". This song didn't make the final cut, as the Indian film composer on the film didn't consider Jothipala's voice good enough.

Jothi has said that he contemplated taking his life when he went with his friends to watch "Podi Putha" and found out that his song was not included. Later when "Surathalee" producer Jabir A. Cader wanted to hear one of his songs to consider him for the film, Jothipala almost passed on the offer as he did not possess enough money to cut a record. He was helped out by veteran musician Stanley Omar who financed him for the sum of 35 rupees – a large amount at the time. Jothipala's song on the film, "Siriyame Sara," still remains popular in Sri Lanka. He sang the popular number under the direction of T.R. Papa at Wahini Studio in India.

Jothipala has worked with many reputed directors of Sri Lanka. In the early stages of his prolific career, Jothipala got the chance to work with prolific film maker, Lester James Peries on the movie "Sandeshaya". Jothipala sang the song "Puruthugeesikara" for the film, which was composed by the legendary Sunil Santha and written by veteran lyricist Arisen Ahubudu. [ Uvais, Ramesh. [http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:K-69F-y_VqsJ:www.dailymirror.lk/inside/entert/030702.html+jothipala+site:www.dailymirror.lk&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1 "Jothi, always alive in our hearts"] . "Daily Mirror". Retrieved November 20 2006.]

uccess

Jothipala was the undisputed choice in films that were made in the late sixties and through the seventies, the period during which he also began to act. Though Jothi was criticized for singing to the tunes of popular Hindi songs he also sang under the batons of Pandit W.D. Amaradewa, P.V. Nandasiri, Premasiri Kehmadasa, Sarath Dassanayake and Milton Mallawarachchi.

He sang in hundreds of films including popular hits like "Kasthuri Suwanda", "Thushara", "Sweeep Ticket", "Hitha Honda Minihek", "Kawuda Raja", "Hondata Hondai", "Wasana", "Sangeetha" and others. The award-winning singer also played some memorable roles in films including "Ethulweema Thahanam", "Sulalitha Sobani", "Sujeewa", "Sukiri Kella", "Abirahasa", "Bonikka", "Shanthi" and his own production "Sumithuro".

In the music scene, no musical show was complete without Jothi in the seventies and eighties. Jothipala died in the first week of July in 1987. [ Sinhala Jukebox. [http://www.sinhalajukebox.org/feature/Jothipala.php "Tribute to H R Jothipala!!"] . "Sinhala Jukebox". Retrieved November 20 2006.]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.sinhalajukebox.org/feature/Jothipala.php H.R. Jothipala's page on Sinhala Jukebox]
* [http://www.thamari.com/sinhala-video-songs/ Collection of Sinhala Video Songs]
* [http://jothi-thelivinglegend.ning.com/ HR Jothipala - The Everliving Legend (A Social Network Space to Share the Memories of Jothi)]