H. R. Jothipala
H.R. Jothipala | |
---|---|
Born |
Hettiarachchige Reginald Jothipala 12 February 1936 British Ceylon |
Died |
7 July 1987 51) Colombo, Sri Lanka | (aged
Nationality | Buddhist Sri Lankan |
Known for | Sinhala music |
Hettiarachchige Reginald Jothipala (Sinhalese: එච්.අර්.ජොතිපාල; 12 February 1936 – 7 July 1987) was a prolific playback singer in the Sinhala cinema. He also worked as an opera singer. He died in July 1987 at the age of 51 years and 5 months. Jothipala lent his voice to all classes of actors ranging from Eddie Jayamanne, Ananda Jayaratne, Gamini Fonseka, Vijaya Kumaratunga, Sanath Gunathilaka, Tony Ranasinghe, Ravindra Randeniya and even several of the young generation of actors in Sri Lanka.[1]
Biography
Early life
Jothipala was the first child in a middle-class family from Southern,Matara Sri Lanka.[2] He attended St. Lawrence College in Maradana and St. John's College in Dematagoda. Jothipala would visit tea kiosks to hear music as his family didn't own a radio.[3] He married Vintor Blosem. They have 4 daughters.
He came to be known by his initials "H. R.", and was loved as "Hadhavatha Raththaran Jothipala", meaning "kind-hearted Jothipala", due to his kindness to people of all ages, communities and families.
Jothipala was refused many times by media, because of his loud voice and songs for Hindi tune. Jothipala made his debut as a playback singer on Cyril P. Abeyratne's Surathalee, singing "Siriyame Sara", in 1956.[4] Prior to that, he had recorded a song for the late Sirisena Wimalaweera's Podi Putha. The 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 create a record. He was helped out by veteran musician Stanley Omar who financed him for the sum of 35 rupees – a large amount of money at the time. Jothipala's song on the film, "Siriyame Sara," still remains popular in Sri Lanka, having recorded 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.[5]
Success
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 criticised for singing to the tunes of popular Hindi songs he also sang under the batons of Pandit W. D. Amaradeva, P.V. Nandasiri, Premasiri Khemadasa, 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'and "Obai Mamai".
Jothipala died in the first week of July in 1987.[6] Until death, he sang more than 3000 Sinhala songs and all of them were popularised equally and many more playback songs did not came into arena, due to production failures of films.
Death
Two days before his death, on 5 July 1987, he participated for "Gam Udaawa", patrionic project by late President Ranasinghe Premadasa, and sang on his final open stage. But while singing he felt a pain, but finished the singing successfully. Next day he was admitted to the hospital. Jothipala died on 7 July 1987 at Ratnums Private Hospital. The cause of his death was said to be kidney failure due to alcohol usage. "He came to our hospital very regularly. He was a big drinker. We told him time after time not to drink anymore," Ramya Fleming, a nurse who worked at the hospital at the time, was quoted saying after his death.
The funeral was held on Borella Cemetery, and thousands of people came for the funeral. At that time, it was said that all other monuments in cemetery were broken down by this huge crowd gathered to cemetery. The number of people came, was recorded as the most people gathering for a funeral in Sri Lanka, that never happened before in history even in any one's funeral.
Lyricist Ajanthaa Ranasinghe said that, "Died Jothipala was too strong and popular than the lived Jothipala", proving that after his death, his songs reached its ultimate popularity and even now his songs are sing in every Reality show in Sri Lanka. Another journalist reported Jothipala's death as "The Falling of Sinhala Cultural peak stone".
Numerous activities are still under way throughout the country for his commemorations.
Popular tracks
- 01 A Mata Na Pem Kale
- 02 A Tharaha Wee
- 03 Adanne Eye
- 04 Adara Madura Atheethe
- 05 Adara Mal Pawane
- 06 Adare Hithenawa Dekkama – Duet with Anjaleen Gunathilake
- 07 Ai Dan Epa Wela
- 08 Aido Magen
- 09 Alaya Thalaya
- 10 Ale Mihira Penna
- 11 Alhene
- 12 Amara Pem – Duet with Anjaleen Gunathilake
- 13 Ananda Sagare
- 14 Andanne Ai
- 15 Api Pare
- 16 As Deka Wage
- 17 Ashawe
- 18 Atheetha Diviye
- 19 Awa Pemwatha
- 20 Balanna Ma Diha
- 21 Chandana Allen naala
- 22 Chandra Me
- 23 Dakina Dasune
- 24 Deepa Sitha
- 25 Durakatheneyakin
- 26 Epa Enna Kiyala
- 27 Gana Andakarayen
- 28 Hada Sal Gase
- 29 Hada Uman Thana
- 30 Hamu Wewa
- 31 Handawe Man
- 32 Hanga Gallene
- 33 Hithe Duka
- 34 Hithuwata
- 35 Hitinna Poddak
- 36 Honda Siriyawai
- 37 Jara Mara Asse
- 38 Kandulal Sala
- 39 Kawda Oba
- 40 Kohedo Oba
- 41 Kokilaya
- 42 Kola Kada Kada
- 43 Kothanaka Sitiyath
- 44 Kurulu Game
- 45 Labe Yai Sithalada
- 46 Lande Lande
- 47 Lassanai Balanna
- 48 Ma Labu Jeewithaye
- 49 Ma Langa Hinahee
- 50 Ma Pathu
- 51 Ma Pera Sasare
- 52 Ma Prarthana Ashawo – Duet with Anjaleen Gunathilake
- 53 Madahasa Pala
- 54 Magam Puraye
- 55 Mage Adareeta
- 56 Mage Jeewithayama
- 57 Mage Mithuro
- 58 Magiya Wetha
- 59 Mahada Namathi
- 60 Mahadanamathi
- 61 Mal Kakulee
- 62 Mal Pibidena
- 63 Malin Piri
- 64 Mama Gannemi
- 65 Me Dasa Mage
- 66 Me Gee
- 67 Mutu Maala
- 68 Neela Dasa
- 69 Nisasala Hadawatha
- 70 Nupurudu Hangumaki
- 71 Oba Dakmen
- 72 Oba Langa Inna
- 73 Obe Pem Wadan
- 74 Onchili Chili Chilla Maleya
- 75 Padmawathee
- 76 Pana Wage Hitiyata
- 77 Pani Wahena Katha
- 78 Paya Ai Hinahenne
- 79 Pemwathunta
- 80 Penna Priye
- 81 Pruthugisi Kaaraya
- 82 Pera Dinka Eda
- 83 Perada Ekwee
- 84 Piliganna Epa
- 85 Pruthugisi
- 86 Punsanda Ran Tharu
- 87 Ra Heene
- 88 Raan Kirilliye
- 89 Raja Kirulu Palandapu
- 90 Raja Wadakarayo
- 91 Ran Manike
- 92 Ran Thilaka
- 93 Ran Wan Sina
- 94 Rosa
- 95 Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa
- 96 Sara Sande
- 97 Saradiyel
- 98 Sasare Pipase
- 99 Seetha Mosam
- 100 Seetha Sunil Diya Dahara
- 101 Sihina Ahase
- 102 Sihina Loke
- 103 Sihinekin Dakina
- 104 Sina Wenne Ai
- 105 Siriyame Sara
- 106 Sobawa Hanga
- 107 Sonduru Gammane
- 108 Sudu Mudu Sihilathi
- 109 Sugathalona
- 110 Tajmahalak
- 111 Thilakawi
- 112 Ukule Kale
- 113 Unmadiniye Menwee
- 114 Upadinna Aye
- 115 Wana Malata
- 116 Wasanawa Dora Arala Balanawa – Duet with M.S Fernando
- 117 Wayanna Sithare
- 118 Wenathaka
- 119 Wes Muhunu
- 120 Aloke bihiwee pethireido
- 121 Adare sihinayaki – Duet with Sujatha Aththanayaka
- 122 Ahenawanam hitha hadana tharam
- 123 Akasha nil jalashe
- 124 Ape Jeewitha Me Maha Sagare – Duet with Milton Perera
- 125 Api denna pokunai piyumai wage
- 126 Api santhosen inne – Duet with Milton Mallawarachchi
- 127 Atha dilisena hiru sadu – Duet with Anjaleen Gunathilake
- 128 Awa soya adare – Duet with Sujatha Aththanayaka
- 129 Awa awurudu devi
- 130 Awurudu awa
- 131 Awurudu lagaa unaa
- 132 Awurudu nawa sanda
- 133 Balanna awe huga kalekin
- 134 Daha duk winde
- 135 Dili dili dilisewi
- 136 Diya kiduriya se
- 137 Duhul meeduma – Duet with Anjaleen Gunathilake
- 138 Al hene pal rakiddi
- 139 Gangawai maha muhudai
- 140 Gedara hitiya rosa kekula
- 141 Hada Santhane – Duet with Sujatha Aththanayaka
- 142 Hada Wiman Doren – Duet with Anjaleen Gunathilake
- 143 Ipadi Lowe – Duet with Gration Ananda
- 144 Ira Sanda Wandala – Duet with Anjaleen Gunathilake
- 145 Jeewithe Tharuna Kale
- 146 Kiri Ithirewa Nawa Wasare
- 147 Maa Winda Wedanawa Priye
- 148 Mage Mithuro
- 149 Mal Hee Gena Ei Mal Sara
- 150 Mal Wehi Seethala – Duet with Anjaleen Gunathilake
- 151 Mal Wayase – Jothipala with Victor Ratnayake & M S Fernando
- 152 Me Loke Siyallo
- 153 Meedum Gala Kande – Duet with Anjaleen Gunathilake
- 153 Me Jeewanaye
- 154 Muladi Benda Aadarayaka
- 155 Nawa Awurudu Daa
- 156 Nidi Nethi Ra Yaame
- 157 Nil Ahase Umathu Walaa
- 158 Ninda Nena Rathriye
- 159 Nisansalai Sithai – Duet with Anjaleen Gunathilake
- 160 Onchili Chili Chilla Male – Duet with Sujatha Aththanayake
- 161 Palu Susane Prema Purane
- 162 Paata Podak Thilakala – Duet with Anjaleen Gunathilake
- 163 Pathana De Sun We Nam
- 164 Payana Dedunu Kumatada Pala Natha
- 165 Pera Agei Magei Kathandare
- 166 Punchi Doni Tharaha Wela
- 167 Ruwan Walaa Wimane – Duet with Latha Walpola
- 168 Sagara Lawelle Seethala Kadalle – Duet with Latha Walpola
- 169 Sal Sapu Naa
- 170 Salena Lelena Daluwa
- 171 Saman Mal Piyalle
- 172 Samanala Mudune Siripada Simba Simba
- 173 Sangeetha Madale
- 174 Senehasa Pawa – Duet with Anjaleen Gunathilake
- 175 Suwadai Muwe Malpani
- 176 Villuda Punchi Depaa
- 177 Weda Wasana Sri Pade
- 178 Yanawita Paare
- Years active = 1956–1987
- Genres = Classical, playback singing, acting
- Aliases = Jothi, Hadawatha Raththran Jothi
Notes
- ↑ A TRIBUTE TO JOTHI: THE SINGER AND HIS SONG
- ↑ Sinhala Jukebox. "Tribute to Deathless H R Jothipala!!". Sinhala Jukebox. Retrieved 20 November 2006.
- ↑ Uvais, Ramesh. "Jothi, always alive in our hearts" at the Wayback Machine (archived 17 March 2005). Daily Mirror. Retrieved 20 November 2006.
- ↑ Sinhala Jukebox. "Tribute to H R Jothipala!!". Sinhala Jukebox. Retrieved 20 November 2006.
- ↑ Uvais, Ramesh. "Deathless Jothi, always alive in our hearts" at the Wayback Machine (archived 17 March 2005). Daily Mirror. Retrieved 20 November 2006.
- ↑ Sinhala Jukebox. "Tribute to H R Jothipala!!". Sinhala Jukebox. Retrieved 20 November 2006.
External links
- Free Download H. R. Jothipala original version mp3 songs (songs with original old music)
- H. R. Jothipala's page on Sinhala Jukebox
- Jothi: Making waves then and now
- ‘I aim to help others like I helped Jothi’
- The Jothipala syndrome
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