| Rookantha Goonatillake | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Born | September 5, 1959 |
| Origin | Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Genres | Rock, pop |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, composer |
| Instruments | Guitar, harmonica, keyboards |
| Years active | 1976–present |
Rookantha Goonatillake (Sinhala:රුකාන්ත ගුණතිලක) (born 5 September 1959) is a popular Sri Lankan singer, songwriter and composer. Rookantha started his career as a solo singer in late 1980s. He frequently duets with his wife Chandralekha Perera.
Rookantha is one of the most successful musicians in Sri Lankan pop industry. His albums have sold around 10,000 copies in Sri Lanka. He is known as the "King of Pop" in Sri Lanka, Succeeded by Clarence Wijewardena
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Rookantha Goonatillake was born in Kegalle to a middle-class family in Sri Lanka. From his young ages, Rookantha loved music. As a result, his parents sent him to a music teacher nearby to teach him to play the keyboards.
Rookantha once said in a radio interview that this teacher was not that friendly and punished him several times for not using correct fingers. Also, he found out that he is getting restricted to what the teacher wanted him to learn.
He learned music at his school, St. Mary's College, Kegalle from great musicians such as Mr.Stanley Peiris and Mr.Cyril Brown.
Soon, Rookantha gave up his music lessons, and started to play his very own songs, according to his way. By doing so, Rookantha had the opportunity to experiment with new songs.
Rookantha Goonatillake originally in 1976 pursued a career as a composer. In 1985 he found himself without a singer to provide the vocals on one of his compositions, "Bambara Pahasa." With a deadline hanging over him, Goonatillake provided the vocals himself beginning his career as a singer.
His song "DIGANTHAYE" featured in the "WORLD CHART SHOW" produced by RADIO EXPRESS in L.A during the late 90's. Rookantha has got awards as: BEST PLAYBACK SINGER OF THE YEAR 1994 ('Suwanda Danee' from film 'Saptha Kanya')and 1995 ('Siyumali Rosa Malee'from film 'Chitti' )
He recently appeared as one of the main judges in a reality talent show "SIRASA SUPER STAR" (American Idol concept) Rookantha's most recent album was named "MAIME INDAN" which was released on the 21st of August 2005 along with his wife Chandralekha's album named "MAGE ADARE",during their exclusive show, "RU SANDA RAE The Concert" at the famous BMICH in SriLanka.
Rookantha has released 5 albums.His first album was "AADARA REKHA" released in 1983. His second album "BAMBARA PAHASA" in 1988 and sold over 150,000 copies. His third album "DIGANTHAYE" in 1992 and sold over 100,000 copies. His fourth album "CHARUKA" in 1997 he is a very inersion actiing
Rookantha is married to another popular singer and former actress Chandralekha Perera. They have 2 daughters the older one named Raini Charuka Goonatillake[2] and younger one named Windy.
Most recent tour Roo Sanda Rae took place in 2005 and 2006 ( slides available at www.labaila.com ).
The mega show of "Rookantha Chandraleka Live @ Stadium" was be held on August 14 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.
This is the first live performance organised by S3. S3 is a collaboration of Sangeetha Weeraratne a veteran actress and model, Sudharma Nethicumara, the visionary behind S3 event management company and promoter of the company with her business expertise and Shereen Kumarathunga, a well known name in the entertainment industry.[3]