| Gunadasa Kapuge | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 7, 1945 Sri Lanka |
| Died | April 3, 2003 (aged 57) |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Other names | Ellamulla Kapuge Gunadasa |
| Education | Karandeniya Central College, Dharmasoka College,Eramulla Kanishta Vidyalaya,Karandeniya Central College,Galle Nagoda College, Heywood, Government College,Bhatkhande Music Institute University, Lucknow |
| Occupation | singer , composer , musician |
| Spouse | Prema Kapuge |
| Children | Mithra Kapuge,Ridhma Kapuge, Sajani Kapuge |
Gunadasa Kapuge (August 7, 1945 – April 3, 2003) was a Sri Lankan musician.
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Kapuge was born on August 7, 1945 either in the village of Miriswatte in the Galle District or in the tiny village of Thanabaddegama in Elpitiya. He was the second of eight children. He went to school until grade five at Karandeniya Central College and later at Dharmasoka College in Ambalangoda, where he initially studied science before switching to music. In 1963, he left Haywood college of music, where he was studying at that time, to follow a degree course in India. In the late 1960s, Kapuge joined the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. 1969 he was worked as a Operational Assistant and 1975 was a Programme Producer. in 1981 he appointed as a Raja Rata" Broadcasting Corporation - Director Music and Director Rajarata Broadcasting Service.
Kapuge released his first song "Daesa Nilupul Thema" in 1973, which became an instant hit. After, Kapuge was selected as a Grade "A" vocalist by the Radio Ceylon and started his three decade long music career. The First Stage Drama for which he provided back-ground music was "Thuranga Sanniya" by Sugathapala De Silva. Since then he provided background music for the highly popular musical "Tharawo Igilethi" by Lucien Bulathsinhala and several other popular dramas. His first movie back-ground music gig was for the Stanley Perera's "Sandha." He married Prema Withanage in 1978.
In 1980, Kapuge released his first music cassette titled "Dhampatin Laa Sandha" with Malini Bulathsinhala. He released several cassettes during the 1980s, most of them selling very well.
Music cassettes- 1980-Dampatin La Sanda Basa Yanawa,1981-Seethala Sanda Eliye,1983-Unmada Sithuwam,1983-Mawathe Geethaya,1990-Kampana,1990-Piya Satahan,1995-Mirivedi Sangalalak,1998-Sunflower (1,2,3),1999-Irabatu Taruwa,2000-Sanda Ree Sihine,2000-Nesena Gee Rasa(1,2)
Stage Plays-Thuranga Sanniya,Paraputuwo, Nandi Visala, Tharavo Igilethi, Sira Kandawuru, Sath saha Satha,Sasara Sevanel,
Tele dramas-Gigiri Walalu,Ayammawaru,Randoli,Dolospaya,Sira Kandawuru,Parameedam Sasara Sevaneli,Rail Peeli Sanda Maddahana ,Sanda
Films-Sanda,Rathu Makara,Maala Giravi,Chuttey,Puthuni Mata Samawanna,Bawa Duka,Bawa Karma
Kapuge staged a one-man musical show titled "Kampana" during the 1990s and also released a cassette and CD with the same title
He died on April 3, 2003, at the age of 58, at the Colombo National Hospital, after sustaining critical injuries in a fall from the shuttle bus at Bandaranaike International Airport. He had been returning from a show in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. There was a delay in taking him to the hospital .[1].
1996 swarna Sanka Award - Best Vocalist Vishwa Prasadini Award Sarasavi Awards - Best Vocalist
1997 Rasa Sangeetha Award - Most Popular Singer Presidential Award - Best Playback Singer Sarasavi Award - Best Vocalist OCIC Award - Creative Music Direction - "Bawa Duka"
1998 Presidential Award - Best Vocalist
1999 Sarasavi Awards - Prasada Pooja Award