Rohana Weerasinghe Explained

Rohana Weerasinghe
රෝහණ වීරසිංහ
Other Names:Dickmadugodage Rohana Chithrakumara Weerasingha
Birth Date:1949 2, df=yes
Birth Place:Algiriya, Matara, Sri Lanka
Education:University of the Visual and Performing Arts
Relatives:Priyani Jayasinghe (cousin daughter)
Spouse:Batapola Arachchige Leela Beatrice De Silva
Children:2
Occupation:Musician, composer, singer, teacher, advisor to the president

Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe (born February 18, 1949), is a Sri Lankan musician, composer and singer.[1]

Early life

Weerasinghe was born on 18 February 1949 in Algiriya, Matara in southern Sri Lanka. He was the youngest child to his parents Henry Weerasinghe and Sepalin Weerasinghe. In 1954, Weerasinghe started schooling from Good Shepard Family Convent in Nuwara Eliya, and later moved to Vidyachakra Buddhist School Ruwan Eliya, Welimada Maha Vidyalaya, Pannipitya Dharmapala Vidyalaya[2] and Gamini Maha Vidyalaya Nuwara Eliya.

In 1977, Weerasinghe married to Leela Beatrice De Silva, a dancing teacher in profession. They had two sons, Kalindu Gajaba and Chirath Kanishka.[3]

His cousin daughter Priyani Jayasinghe was also a popular actress in Sri Lanka, who sang the popular hits Kandula Niwannam and Sundara Hadakata. She was killed at the age of 51 by her husband using a pair of scissors on 18 July 2018.[4]

Music

Weerasinghe learnt the basics of music from K.V.S Perera Kithsiri Aluthge. He was able to enter the Government Music School of Sri Lanka for further studies in Oriental Music by mastering Sitar. Later he joined maestro Premasiri Khemadasa as a Sitar player in his Orchestra. Weerasinghe became a key Sitar player for music concerts of prominent Singers in Sri Lanka such as Victor Ratnayake's Sa, Nanda Malini's Shrawana Aradhana and Sanath Nandasiri's Swarna Kundala.

Weerasinghe taught music in D. S. Senanayake College, Senananda Maha Vidyalaya Meepilimanna and Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte as a government music teacher. In 1982, he joined "Sing Lanka" studios as a Sound Engineer. At that time, he composed T. M. Jayaratne's Ekasitha dethanaka, Hiruta Horen and Neela Wickramasinghe's Punchi Sithe Punchi Sina which became popular songs in Sri Lanka.

So far he has created melodies for over 8000 songs, which includes films, teledramas, stage plays.[5] [6]

Weerasinghe has been the Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka in Cultural and Aesthetic Affairs since 2006.

Notable performances

Awards

YearAwardTitleProduction
1982SarasaviyaBest Music DirectorAaradhana
1987SarasaviyaBest Music DirectorAadara Hasuna
1991SarasaviyaBest Music DirectorSaharave Sihinaya
1991SIGNISBest Music DirectorSaharave Sihinaya
1991SwarnasankhaBest Music DirectorSaharave Sihinaya
1994Presidential AwardsBest Music DirectorSaptha Kanya
1994SarasaviyaBest Music DirectorMadara Parasathu
1994Presidential AwardsBest Music DirectorMadara Parasathu
1998SarasaviyaBest Music DirectorSeilama
1999SarasaviyaBest Music DirectorVeesidela
2003Presidential AwardsBest Music DirectorMe Mage Sandai
2007Presidential AwardsBest Music DirectorAnjalika
1982Vijaya Rupavahini AwardsBest Music DirectorRekha
1983Vijaya Rupavahini AwardsBest Music DirectorSudu saha kalu
1992SIGNISBest Music DirectorDunhinda addara
1994Sumathi AwardsBest Music DirectorSankranthi Samaya
1998Sumathi AwardsBest Music DirectorVilambeetha[11]
2002SIGNISBest Music DirectorGajaman Nona
2008Raigam AwardsBest Music DirectorRala Bindena Thena
1990Rasa AwardsBest Music Director[12] Thala mala pipila
1991Rasa AwardsBest Music DirectorMaghatha
1997Rasa AwardsMost Popular SongSandapanak se awidin
1997Rasa AwardsMost Popular SongRanmalak Lesa
1997Rasa AwardsMost Popular Music Director in Sri LankaN/A
2004Government Drama AwardSpecial RecognitionN/A
2009Eagle InsuranceEagle Awards of Excellence[13] N/A

Publications

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rohana : The melody master . Dailynews.lk . 19 January 2002 . 14 September 2012.
  2. Web site: Features – Happenings / People . Sundayobserver.lk . 29 August 2012.
  3. Web site: 'Tunes are all I have to take your heart away' . Sundayobserver.lk . 27 July 2008 . 29 August 2012.
  4. Web site: Dreams of Priyani (television show) . 2020-12-04 . webgossip.
  5. Web site: Ruwini Jayawardana . 'Bahasabe' to visit Sri Lanka . Dailynews.lk . 18 February 1949 . 29 August 2012.
  6. Web site: Ruwini Jayawardana . 60th birth anniversary today and 35 years in the music scene . Dailynews.lk . 18 February 2009 . 29 August 2012.
  7. Web site: RAN SWARA DHARA – 2004. 7 March 2004. anandaoba.org. 14 September 2012.
  8. Web site: The Sinhala touch at Sydney Opera House . Sundaytimes.lk . 13 August 2006 . 29 August 2012.
  9. News: Rohana creates history in Australia . Sunday Times . 30 November 2019.
  10. Web site: Mahes Perera . Young talent of a high standard . Sundayobserver.lk . 18 May 2008 . 29 August 2012.
  11. Web site: Sumathi Awards 1998 . Sumathiawards.lk . 14 September 2012.
  12. Web site: Online edition of Daily News – Features . Dailynews.lk . 19 January 2002 . 29 August 2012.
  13. Web site: BT Options (Pvt) Ltd . BUSINESS TODAY – Eagle Awards of Excellence presented to Dr D B Nihalsinha and Rohana Weerasinghe . Businesstoday.lk . 29 August 2012.
  14. Web site: Devaka Weerakoon . Informative guide to Sri Lanka's wildlife . Sundayobserver.lk . 15 November 2009 . 29 August 2012.
  15. Book: Along a Winding Path . 9789555197106 . Vīrasiṃha . Rōhaṇa . 2009.

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