T. M. Jayaratne

Infobox Musical artist


Img_size = 150
Name = T.M. Jayaratne
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = T.M. Jayaratne
Alias =
Born = Birth date and age|1944|4|13|mf=y
Died =
Origin = Dodangoda, Sri Lanka
Genre = Sri Lankan music
Occupation = Singer
Years_active = 1970 – Present

T.M. Jayaratne (born April 13, 1944 in Dodangoda, Sri Lanka) is a popular Sri Lankan singer.

He has received the Presidential Award in 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1987.cite web|url=http://www.rupavahini.lk/vinivida/t.m.jayaratna/html/index.htm|title=T.M. Jayaratne|accessdate=2007-06-12|date=2007|publisher=Rupavahini] In 2006 Jayaratne was awarded the best male singer award at the Raigam Tele Award Festival.cite web|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/070527/TV/tv_7.html|title=Sudath bags Best Drama at Raigam Awards |accessdate=2007-06-17|date=2007|publisher=Sunday Times]

Life and career

Overview

Jayaratne was born in Dodangoda, Sri Lanka. He pursued higher learning at St. Anthony's College and subsequently Maliyadeva College. As a teenager Jayaratne trained as a violinist.cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2006/11/16/fea10.asp|title=Two generations share music together |accessdate=2007-06-18|date=2007|publisher=Daily News]

In 1966 Jayaratne began work as a music teacher at the Hewavitharana Maha Vidyalaya in Rajagiriya. He was drawn into singing by the head of the Folk and Research unit at the Broadcasting Corporation C.J.S. Kulathilaka who asked him to vocalise several Sinhala folk songs that included "Gana Thel Sadun" to be broadcasted over the radio. He recorded his first song in 1970.

Jayaratne debuted as a playback singer with "Lahiru Dahasak" written by Sunil Ariyarathne and composed by Premasiri Khemadasa. In 1978 he released his first cassette "Tharanga Volume - 01".

In 1980 Jayaratne dueted with Sunila Abeysekera on "Hemin Sare Piya Vida" for the movie "Hansa Vilak". The song was written by W. Jayasiri with music by Khemadasa and became a popular song in Sri Lanka.cite web|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/050130/tv/6.html|title=Rupavahini felicitates Master|accessdate=2007-06-17|date=2005|publisher=SundayTimes]

Personal life

Jayaratne is married to Malini Jayaratne and has two children. His son Isuru intends to enter the music industry like his father.

References