430:, this future play-back singer displayed his innate talents of musical virtuosity since his boyhood. His mother was Mrs Karunawathie and father Mr Charles Appuhamy, a dressmaker by profession, tailored costumes to the Tower Hall artists. His father’s close association with them paved way for him to know the leading artists on the stage. By 7 years of age he started singing Nadagam songs and his father took him for support work behind the stage. Acquaintance with Tower Hall staff opened the rare opportunity of playing a character on the stage. Later he played the main role of
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career. In spite of his inestimable contribution of musical brilliancy, he was never recognized with awards except a limited number of articles written particularly in
English media. This article is an attempt to reminisce with honor the immeasurable contribution made by him to national music. It behooves all Sri Lankans to salute this great musician as a mark of gratefulness in recognition of his musical excellence to the nation..
659:. It was a privilege to sing for both those commercial branding labels at the time. Among the songs recorded were "Sansare Duka Nesu Shakya Raja", "Ananda Javanika", "Ase Gethe Madura Geethe" with Rukmani Devi, "Sri Lankave Shantha Sobana", "Dakina Dakina Wele", "Manike Manike Run kande", "Suwanda Gange Adere Ape" with Latha and solo like "Me Prema Kathawe" These songs became highly popular overnight.
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Dharmadasa
Walpola was a gentleman who strictly adhered to his principle of safeguarding the dignity of singing despite it might have caused disadvantage to him. However, the bold decision taken by him has benefitted the future generation involved in music to maintain the distinction of their musical
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Mr.Thevis Guruge, the then
Director of Radio Ceylon, opened the opportunity for him to display his inborn talents of singing in Sarala Gee Program broadcast by Radio Ceylon. Dharmadasa joined popular Radio Artist G. S. B. Rani Perera in her Sarala Gee Program to sing his first duet, the favorite song
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captured the fully packed spell bound audience at every presentation. Seegiri Gala
Musapath Kala and " Sirikatha Ena Maga" are highly popular songs even today as well as the lovely song Uttama Muni Dalada Balan Saki from Dalada Watha Radio Drama lyrics by Dr Ajantha Ranasinghe and melody by Prof.
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in 1950s & 60s as the best play-back singer. The melodious and romantic voice of
Dharmadasa Walpola, a household name, resonates even today in the hearts of music fans over the island. This is a commemorative appreciation of the 30th Death Anniversary of this versatile musician on December 25,
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who played the main role in Prema
Tharangaya was scheduled to sing this song. But a difficult situation arose since Aruna Shanthi failed to satisfy the required quality of singing. At this decisive moment, M. Ariyadasa of the orchestra voluntarily rushed to Dharmadasa’s home, brought him in the
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His fans and friends, including Vernan De Silva, organised a
Commemorative Death Anniversary Celebration in Kandy as a tribute to this versatile play-back singer with meritorious deeds of blood donation program, Sangika Dana, launch of a book written on Dharmadasa’s biography and issue a
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As far back as the latter part of 1950s and 1960s dubbing
Sinhala dialogue into Hindi and Tamil movies became highly popular with fully packed audience. Dharmadasa Walpola was adjudged the best play-back singer for his pre-eminent golden voice over the world acclaimed Indian singers.
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Dharmadasa
Walpola was not only the leading play-back singer but also the indisputable singer in ballet radio and stage drama music. His masterly performance of singing in Bari Sil, Kela Mal and Nawarella, famous ballet music composed by Musician Dr
477:"Thotiyo thotiyo" in 1951. Since then he became a popular artist with many number of solos and the most popular duet "Nidi Yahane Aida" recorded with Vivienne de Silva Boralessa. His first solo is " Asaray Prema Sepatha" song on Buddhist values.
542:(Doctor) were a few among hundreds of movies that captured hearts of the people with his exhilarating voice. Unfortunately this golden voice withered away with his final song "Asha Mal Pawan" in film "
371:and had five children;
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Walpola's father Palis Ayya worked with costumes for the Tower Hall theater. Walpola had to forgo his education at a young age to support his family and for a time built masks for the
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with a huge gathering of guests and artists. Policemen had to be deployed to control the massive crowd gathered outside Siri Kotha. They have three sons and a daughter.
271:. Around 1956, Walpola married Fernando who subsequently adapted the name Latha Walpola. From his debut to the early 1960s, Walpola dominated male playback singing in
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midnight and introduced him to the
Producers. This made a landmark of his musical career with his adorable voice to become a popular play-back singer overnight.
484:" screened in 1953. "Honda hondama weya lowa kisima thenaka nehe" a highly popular duet for decades was sung with (Latha) Rita Jenavi Fernando who later became
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561:, Kurulu Bedda has influenced the listeners with highest admiration even today. He was also the play-back singer not only for leading Sri Lankan actors like
237:'s Academy. Chandrasena was impressed by Walpola's ability to sing and after auditioning several songs with harmonium accompaniment, sent a good word to the
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553:, "Satnaki Jeevithe" in Asoka ‘Oya Belma Oya Kelma in Kurulu Bedda, Kate Kiri Suwanda in Sandesaya, Mangalad dinye in Sithal Watura Jeevithe Jeevethe in
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and R.A.Chandrasena. He mastered the flute as his favorite instrument. In early 1950s he joined Radio Ceylon orchestra. He was a superb player of
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are highly popular even today though the two films were never screened. The song "Kowlan Handaine" and "Amba Damba Sevanali" sung with
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with his softer more melodic voice which lend itself to love songs. His best known work from this period include "Seeya Manamalaya" from
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Initially, since film industry in Sri Lanka was not equipped with technical resources, producers were compelled to go to
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He shared his golden voice with Latha, G.S.B.Rani Perera, Rukmani Devi, Viviene de Silva Boralessa, Chitra Somapala,
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by marriage to Dharmadasa. An interesting story heard about his entry to play-back singing is worthy of mention.
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718:, Gowradanam and Jayadev. In the 1960s and 1970s he conducted Dharmadasa Sangeethayathanaya, School of Music in
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in early 1950s to film their production. This prompted them to hire Indian singers at a lower charge. But
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in Samudra Devi. He displayed his skills in "Amma", the stage-play produced by Veteran Producer/Director
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and Dharmadasa Walpola broke the South Indian monopoly and became indomitable duo in Sinhala Cinema.
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Children Geethan Bandara, Thisara Bandara, Mayura Bandara, have already entered the music industry
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Dharmadasa acclaimed zenith of his popularity overnight as a play-back singer by his first film "
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and Sanath Nandasiri. Also he recorded songs under the direction of famous Indian musicians as
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Walpola served as a music teacher later on in his life. He died on December 25, 1983.
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To master the flute, Walpola began taking lessons from Eddie Master and then attended
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in 1959, the Nightingale of Sri Lanka. A ceremonial wedding was held at Siri Kotha,
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Walpola successfully returned to Radio Ceylon with "Uthama Muni Dalada" (lyrics by
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of the 1950s and 1960s. Walpola was an accomplished musician adapt at playing the
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from Kandy, Dharmadasa turned to music furthering his talents under Musicians
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commemorative stamp to coincide with the thirtieth anniversary of his death.
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The everlasting memories of favorite hits like ‘Mae Saumya Rathri’ in
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The songs recorded by this great play-back singer in Jeevithaya and
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will be etched in the minds for another millennium. Kavi gayana in
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Dharmadasa Walpola - ධර්මදාස වල්පොල - Siyapath Arana - සියපත් අරණ
245:. Guruge gave Walpola a sarala gee programme with a duet partner
850:තාත්තගෙයි, ධර්මදාස වල්පොලගෙයි වෙනස මට වැටහුණේ ඔහුගේ අවමඟුල දා...
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295:(1955), "Upatha Labaa" and "Suba Aasiri (Hanika Yamang)" from
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singing a virindu. He subsequently acted and sang in the play
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171:: ධර්මදාස වල්පොල) (1927–1983) was the most prominent
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et al. He has sung under the directors Mohammed Gausse,
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He sang for films in Sujatha as second film followed by
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are clear testimony to his masterly vocal performance.
313:(1960), "Oya Belma" and "Waththe Wetunu Pol Athu" from
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Dharmadasa Walpola – Golden Voice of the Silver Screen
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In addition to play-back singing Dharmadasa sang for
546:" released in January, 1979 to the Sinhala Cinema.
414:Dharmadasa Walpola incontrovertibly dominated the
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379:, Chaminda Lolitha Walpola, Suneth Walpola and
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383:, who have already entered the music industry
596:" are still a hot favorite among the public.
840:Dharmadasa Walpola's page on Sinhala Jukebox
725:He married (Latha) Rita Jenevi Fernando of
810:"Latha Walpola - Nightingale of Sri Lanka"
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66:Learn how and when to remove this message
29:This article includes a list of general
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835:Darmadasa Walpola's page on Miyuru Gee
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469:. It lends high degree of credence to
275:providing a counterpoint to the harsh
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577:et al, but also Indian actors like
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759:"If possible, show my dad's songs"
404:Sri Lanka Export Development Board
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307:(1956), "Katey Kiri Suwanda" from
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319:(1961) and "Man Mula Wela" from
289:(1955), "Amu Pitisareyeki" from
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422:Born on 27 November 1927 in
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694:, Premasiri Khemadasa,
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101:Background information
812:. Asian Tribune. 2007
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569:, Ananda Jayaratne,
336:("Pem Suwandai") and
257:Walpola debuted as a
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668:Sujatha Aththanayake
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269:Rita Jenevi Fernando
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220:Sirisena Wimalaweera
645:Premasiri Khemadasa
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696:Sarath Dassanayake
648:Sanath Nandasiri.
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441:Influenced by Mr.
350:Ajantha Ranasinghe
165:Dharmadasa Walpola
111:Dharmadasa Walpola
885:Sinhalese singers
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273:Sri Lankan cinema
261:in the 1953 film
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712:R. Sundaram
633:South India
618:Ley Kandulu
292:Seda Sulang
228:Wessanthara
56:August 2020
48:introducing
859:Categories
816:26 January
794:26 January
745:References
708:T. R. Papa
704:S. S. Weda
614:Sudu Nangi
610:Angulimala
602:Pathiwatha
594:Jeevithaya
586:Samanalayo
544:Samanmalee
514:, Suraya,
344:Later life
322:Deepashika
304:Surathalee
210:Early life
173:Sri Lankan
140:Occupation
107:Birth name
31:references
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510:, Asoka,
508:Surangani
455:harmonium
310:Sandesaya
298:Mathalang
279:style of
230:as well.
199:Biography
185:harmonium
155:1949—1983
727:Galkissa
720:Maradana
551:Sirimali
516:Surasena
504:Sukomali
325:(1963).
277:Carnatic
222:'s play
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540:Dostara
169:Sinhala
44:improve
765:1 July
624:, and
622:Shimbo
459:violin
419:2013.
189:violin
144:Singer
33:, but
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467:flute
463:tabla
428:Kandy
286:Asoka
193:tabla
181:flute
175:male
126:Kandy
818:2009
796:2009
767:2020
655:and
538:and
465:and
224:Amma
191:and
132:Died
116:Born
653:HMV
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