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Ajantha Ranasinghe
Sri Lankan journalist, lyricist (1940–2016 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Senanayake Mudianselage Ranasinghe Arachchilage Ajantha Sarath Kumara Ranasinghe (30 May 1940 – 27 February 2016), popularly known as Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe, was a Sri Lankan journalist, lyricist, poet, and novelist.[1][2] Over the course of a 40 year career, he contributed to nearly 60 films and more than 400 songs.[3][4]
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Personal life
Ajantha Ranasinghe was born on 30 May 1940[5] in Thalammahara, a small village in the Kurunegala district, as the second of five siblings. His father was a doctor and his mother was both a teacher and a postmaster. He had one elder sister, two younger sisters, and a younger brother. After obtaining his primary education at the Pannala Government School, he moved to Colombo and resumed his studies at St. John's College, Nugegoda.[6] He left after completing the GCE Ordinary Level Exams.[7]
Ranasinghe was married to Sarojini Weeratunge, the daughter of late singer Kokiladevi Weeratunga.[2] The couple had two children: Saranga and Devalochana.
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Journalist career
Ranasinghe's uncle Asoka Pieris was a well known dramatist, and he came under his influence and through that got to showcase his talent over the airwaves.[2] At a very young age, Ranasinghe wrote Buddhist songs to the Lama Mandapaya, a program on Radio Ceylon hosted by Karunaratne Abeysekera.[3] He participated in another program, Radio Magazine, organised by the filmmaker K. A. W. Perera. His first published work, Thivanka Rekha, a poetry collection, came out in 1964.[8]
He wrote poetry and short stories for the children's pages of Silumina and Peramuna. His poetry was frequently published in Silumina, Vanitha Viththi, and Lankadeepa.[9] Eventually he was selected as a staff reporter at Dinamina.[2] He would graduate from and to the posts of Sub Editor, Local News Editor, Additional Chief Sub Editor, Chief Sub Editor, Features Editor, and Chief Editor of Navayugaya.[10]
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Career as a lyricist
After three decades in journalism, Ranasinghe began writing lyrics for singers,[3] with his verses becoming popular among the public.[9] He earned several awards during his career, including the Sarasaviya, OCIC, State Literary, Raigam, Sumathi, and Kumaratunga Munidasa ceremonies.[6] In addition to being a lyricist, Ranasinghe was also a B Grade Radio Ceylon singer.[9][2]
Landmarks
- Awarded a doctorate degree by the International Open University, New Delhi in 1995.[2]
- 25 years as an Editor at Lake House[11]
- Provincial News Editor and Local News Editor at Dinamina[11]
- Features Editor of Janatha
- Editor in Chief of Nawayugaya
- Consultant at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC)[3]
- President's Award for Best Song Writer of the Year on three occasions[6]
- Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism Awards for Excellence Programme, organised by the Editor's Guild of Sri Lanka – 2014
- A song festival Ajantha Geethavalokana was held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute at Independent Square on 9 May 2002[12]
- A collection of his songs released in 2002 in a new cassette and CD titled Kalpana Vijithaya[13]
- A second CD collection released in 2013 titled Ran Kenden[14]
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Death
Ranasinghe died at the Colombo National Hospital on 27 February 2016[15][16] after an accident three days prior.[17] His remains were kept at No. 11/4, Ranasinghe Mawatha, Hiripitiya, Pannipitiya at his son's residence.[9] The funeral was held on 29 February 2016 at the Borella Cemetery.[18]
Author work
Filmography
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Dr. Ranasinghe contributed over 300 lyrics to Sinhala films since 1976 with his debut, Wasana.[1][2]
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Notable lyrics
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Ajantha Ranasinghe wrote more than 400 lyrics for singers across several generations.[22][23]
- Adara Samarum Ketiwu
- Adaraneeya Wasanthe
- Api Ayeth Hamu
- Asha Nirasha Mawu
- Bodhiye Viharaye
- Bol Vee Ahuru
- Bonda Meedum Kadurelle
- Budun Methun Lowa Uththama
- Daesama Riddana
- Dawasak Thiyewi
- Degoda Thala Ganga Gala
- Dineka Mathuda
- Duhul Meedume Sihil Maruthe
- Duras Wannata Me Lesin
- Duwa Maa Wage
- Game Kopi Kade
- Ganga Jale
- Gela Wata Banda Wu
- Hanga Gallene
- Hindi Vadan
- Hiru Nonegeewa
- Igillila Yanna Yan
- Indunil Gangulal
- Irata Udin Sakwalata Udin
- Ira Udin
- Ira Wata Yana Girawun
- Ithin Ane
- Kalpana Lowa Mal Wane
- Kanden Eha
- Keena Dam Mitak
- Kiri Kawadi Sina
- Kiri Sudu Sele
- Koho Koho Kohe Idan
- Kurullo Nube Thalen
- Mage Dinapothehi
- Mage Kadulin Nimawu
- Mage Lowata Oba
- Malanika Mathakayen
- Mal Parawena Loke
- Mal Pokuru Pokuru
- Mala Giraa Gela
- Mangala Mal Dama
- Mata Mani Wage
- Mata Wasana
- Me Ayurin Api
- Me Mai Gaha Yata
- Me Pasal Meda Midulai
- Me Seetha Nille
- Midule Athana Nango
- Muthumenike Ude Rayin
- Ninda Nena Rathriye
- Niranjala Katado
- Nirwana Swarna Dwarayen
- Paalu Susaane
- Paloswaka Sanda Payanu
- Parami Dam Puramu
- Pata Podak Thilakala
- Pem Rajadahane
- Pemathura Hengum
- Pokuru Pokuru Mal Senakili
- Punchi Dawas Wala
- Ra Dolos Paye
- Ra Duru Rata Me
- Ra Pal Rakina
- Ra Vee La Ai Me Ude
- Rali Palama Sudu Patata
- Rallen Rallata Pawena Oruwe
- Rana Hansa Yuwala
- Ran Kenden Beda
- Raththaran Pem Purane
- Ruwan Wala Wimane
- Salalihiniyo
- Sanda Sangi (Praveena teledrama song)
- Sath Ruwan Wassa
- Seegiri Landune
- Sihala Kalakaruwaneni
- Sihina Nelum Mal
- Sili Sili Seethala Alle
- Siri Bo Meda
- Sithata Danena Me Lathawul
- Sudu Sesathak Wan
- Suwanda Dani Danenawa
- Suwanda Dena Malwane
- Tharu Arundati
- Ukulata Nawath
- Veedi Kone Mawatha Addara
- Wala Theerayen Eha
- Wanka Giriya
- Werale Muhuru Walle
- Villuda Punchi Depa
- Yaluwe Sithin Hadannepa
- Yadha Bime Awi
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References
External links
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