Senanayake Mudianselage Ranasinghe Arachchilage Ajantha Sarath Kumara Ranasinghe (30 May 1940 – 27 February 2016), popularly as Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe, was an award winning Sri Lankan journalist, lyricist, poet, and novelist.[1][2] Considered one of the most iconic[3] and prolific lyricists ever produced in the country, over the course of a 40 year career he contributed to nearly 60 films and more than 400 songs.[4]
Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe | |
---|---|
ආචාර්ය අජන්තා රණසිංහ | |
Born | Senanayake Mudianselage Ranasinghe Arachchilage Ajantha Sarath Kumara Ranasinghe 30 May 1940 Thalammahara, Kurunegala, Ceylon |
Died | 27 February 2016 Colombo National Hospital, Sri Lanka | (aged 74)
Nationality | Sri Lankan |
Citizenship | Sri Lankan |
Education | St. John's College, Nugegoda |
Occupation(s) | Broadcaster, lyricist, poet, novelist |
Years active | 1976–2015 |
Notable work | Lyrics |
Spouse |
|
Children | Saranga Ranasinghe Devalochana Ranasinghe |
Ajantha Ranasinghe was born on 30 May 1940[5] in Thalammahara, a small village in the Kurunegala district as the second of the family with five siblings. His father was a doctor and mother was a teacher as well as 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.
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.[4] 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]
After three decades in journalism, Ranasinghe began writing lyrics for popular singers.[4] His verses became highly popular among the public.[9] Award after award followed, from 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]
Ranasinghe died at the Colombo National Hospital on 27 February 2016[15][16] after a minor accident right opposite his house three days earlier.[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]
Dr. Ranasinghe contributed over 300 lyrics to Sinhala films since 1976 with his debut, Wasana.[1][2]
Year | Film |
---|---|
1976 | Wasana |
1976 | Walmath Wuwo |
1976 | Duhul Malak |
1976 | Aasha |
1976 | Hariyata Hari |
1976 | Nedeyo |
1977 | Pembara Madu |
1977 | Agey Adara Kathawa |
1978 | Janaka Saha Manju |
1978 | Saara |
1978 | Deepanjali |
1978 | Sasara |
1979 | Geheniyak |
1979 | Amal Biso |
1979 | Muwan Pelessa |
1979 | Wasanthaye Dawasak |
1979 | Rosa Mal Thunak |
1979 | Chuda Manikya |
1979 | Anusha |
1979 | Sawudan Sema |
1979 | Nuwan Renu |
1980 | Kanchana |
1980 | Silva |
1980 | Ektam Ge |
1980 | Adara Rathne |
1980 | Muwan Palessa 2 |
1980 | Sankapali |
1980 | Para Dige |
1981 | Ran Ethana |
1981 | Sathweni Dawasa |
1981 | Walampuri |
1981 | Bamba Ketu Hati |
1981 | Sooriyakantha |
1981 | Jeewanthi |
1981 | Samawenna |
1981 | Chanchala Rekha |
1981 | Saaranga |
1982 | Ra Manamali |
1982 | Yasa Isuru |
1982 | Anuradha |
1982 | Chathu Madura |
1982 | Rail Para |
1983 | Chandira |
1983 | Sandamali |
1983 | Sumithuro |
1983 | Siv Ranga Sena |
1983 | Niliyakara Pem Kalemi |
1983 | Chandi Siriya |
1983 | Athin Athata |
1983 | Senehasaka Kandulu |
1983 | Sister Mary |
1983 | Muwan Palessa 3 |
1983 | Monarathenna 2 |
1983 | Muhudu Lihini |
1984 | Shirani |
1984 | Walle Thanu Maliga |
1984 | Kiri Kawadi |
1984 | Thaththai Puthai |
1984 | Binari Saha Sudubanda |
1984 | Podi Ralahami |
1984 | Rana Derana |
1984 | Himikathara |
1984 | Batti |
1984 | Sahodariyakage Kathawa |
1984 | Sathi Pooja |
1985 | Araliya Mal |
1985 | Channai Kello Dennai |
1985 | Obata Diwura Kiyannam |
1985 | Doo Daruwo |
1985 | Kirimaduwal |
1986 | Mal Warusa |
1986 | Gimhane Gee Nade |
1986 | Jaya Apatai |
1987 | Yugayen Yugayata |
1987 | Kawuluwa |
1987 | Raja Wadakarayo |
1987 | Ahinsa |
1988 | Chandingeth Chandiya |
1988 | Sandakada Pahana |
1988 | Amme Oba Nisa |
1988 | Angulimala |
1988 | Satana |
1989 | Mamai Raja |
1989 | Nommara 17 |
1989 | Obata Rahasak Kiyannam |
1989 | Shakthiya Obai Amme |
1989 | Sinasenna Raththaran |
1990 | Dase Mal Pipila |
1990 | Yukthiyata Wada |
1990 | Dedunnen Samanaliyak |
1990 | Walawwe Hamu |
1990 | Pem Rajadahana |
1990 | Madu Sihina |
1990 | Chandi Raja |
1991 | Paaradise |
1991 | Sihina Ahase Wasanthe |
1991 | Raja Kello |
1991 | Raja Sellan |
1991 | Esala Sanda |
1991 | Salambak Hadai |
1991 | Ran Hadawatha |
1991 | Dhanaya |
1992 | Sakwithi Raja |
1992 | Sakkara Suththara |
1992 | Sinha Raja |
1992 | Roomathiyay Neethiyay |
1992 | Suranimala |
1992 | Sathya |
1992 | Muwan Palesse Kadira |
1992 | Sinhayangeth Sinhaya |
1993 | Chaaya |
1993 | Prathingya |
1993 | Weli Sulanga |
1993 | Chaya Maya |
1993 | Yasasa |
1993 | Bambasara Bisawi |
1993 | Sandarekha |
1993 | Lassanai Balanna |
1993 | Lagin Giyoth Ehek Na |
1993 | Madara Parasathu |
1994 | Nohadan Kumariye |
1994 | Abhiyogaya |
1994 | Ambu Samiyo |
1994 | Sujaatha |
1994 | Sandamadala |
1995 | Inspector Geetha |
1995 | Wasana Wewa |
1995 | Ira Handa Illa |
1995 | Pudumai Eth Aththai |
1995 | Chandiyage Putha |
1995 | Chaandani |
1996 | Sihina Wimane Kumariya |
1996 | Sebe Mithura |
1996 | Hitha Honda Geheniyak |
1996 | Hiru Saduta Mediwee |
1996 | Amanthaya |
1996 | Madhuri |
1997 | Yasoma |
1997 | Puthuni Mata Wasana |
1997 | Punaruthpaththiya |
1997 | Ramba Saha Madhu |
1997 | Vijayagrahanaya |
1997 | Ragaye Unusuma |
1998 | Eya Obata Barai |
1998 | Yudha Gini Meda |
1998 | Julietge Bhumikawa |
1998 | Mohothin Mohotha |
1999 | Anduru Sewaneli |
1999 | Seetha Samire |
1999 | Nagaran |
2000 | Ginigath Madhusamaya |
2000 | Anuragaye Ananthaya |
2000 | Pem Kekula |
2001 | Oba Koheda Priye |
2001 | Wasanthaye Kunatuwak |
2001 | Kumari Bambasara Handu Daa |
2002 | Seethala Ginikandu |
2002 | Magul Sakwala |
2003 | Vala in London |
2003 | Sudu Salu |
2004 | Sumedhaa |
2004 | Left Right Sir |
2004 | Premawanthayo |
2005 | Sanduni |
2005 | Alu Yata Gini |
2006 | Eka Malaka Pethi |
2006 | Nilambare |
2006 | Rana Hansi |
2007 | Ran Kevita |
2007 | First Love Pooja |
2008 | Wada Bari Tarzan Mathisabayata |
2008 | Pitasakwala Kumarayai Pancho Hathai |
2008 | Ai Oba Thaniwela |
2009 | Ali Surathal |
2009 | Juliya |
2009 | Kanyavi |
2012 | Wassanaye Senehasa |
2014 | Raassa Kale |
2015 | Sanjana |
2015 | Aathma Warusha |
Ajantha Ranasinghe wrote more than 400 lyrics for singers across several generations.[22][23]