| Ajantha Ranasinghe | |
| Native Name: | ආචාර්ය අජන්තා රණසිංහ |
| Birth Name: | Senanayake Mudianselage Ranasinghe Arachchilage Ajantha Sarath Kumara Ranasinghe |
| Birth Date: | 1940 5, df=y |
| Birth Place: | Thalammahara, Kurunegala, Ceylon |
| Death Place: | Colombo National Hospital, Sri Lanka |
| Nationality: | Sri Lankan |
| Education: | St. John's College, Nugegoda |
| Occupation: | Broadcaster, lyricist, poet, novelist |
| Years Active: | 1976–2015 |
| Notable Works: | Lyrics |
| Children: | 2 |
Senanayake Mudianselage Ranasinghe Arachchilage Ajantha Sarath Kumara Ranasinghe (30 May 1940 – 27 February 2016), popularly as Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe, was a Sri Lankan journalist, lyricist, poet, and novelist.[1] [2] Considered one of the most iconic[3] and prolific lyricists in the country, over the course of a 40 year career he contributed to nearly 60 films and more than 400 songs.[4]
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. 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. At a very young age, Ranasinghe wrote Buddhist songs to the Lama Mandapaya, a program on Radio Ceylon hosted by Karunaratne Abeysekera. 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. 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. His verses became highly popular among the public. Award after award followed, from the Sarasaviya, OCIC, State Literary, Raigam, Sumathi, and Kumaratunga Munidasa ceremonies. In addition to being a lyricist, Ranasinghe was also a B Grade Radio Ceylon singer.
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. 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.
| 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]