W. D. Ariyasinghe Explained

W. D. Ariyasinghe
ඩබ්. ඩී. ආරියසිංහ
Birth Name:Widanelage Dharmaratna Ariyasinghe
Birth Date:16 March 1956
Birth Place:Kandy, Sri Lanka
Death Place:Kalapura, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia,Colombo, Sri Lanka
Nationality:Sri Lankan
Years Active:1980–2020
Education:Pilimathalawa Central College
Alma Mater:University of Kelaniya
Awards:Kalabhushana State Awards (2017)
Occupation:Musician, singer, composer, teacher

Widanelage Dharmaratna Ariyasinghe, (16 March 1956 – 9 November 2020, Sinhala; Sinhalese: ඩබ්. ඩී. ආරියසිංහ), popularly as W. D. Ariyasinghe, was a Sri Lankan singer, musician and a composer.[1] [2]

Personal life

He was born on 16 March 1956 in Kandy, Sri Lanka as the fifth child in the family with eight. He completed education from Pilimathalawa Central College. Later, he graduated with Bachelor of Fine Arts from University of the Visual and Performing Arts.[3]

He was married to fellow musician Darshani Chandrasena after a long-standing relationship since university period. Darshani is the youngest daughter of the musician late R. A. Chandrasena. She was graduated with Fine Arts degree in 1983 before Ariyasinghe and worked as visiting lecturer at the university for three years.[4] The couple has two sons; Harshadewa and Pulasthi. His son Harshadewa is also a singer.[5]

After undergoing a hip surgery due to an accident some time ago, his health was improving and he was advised by the doctor to rest for about three months.[6] However, he died on 9 November 2020 at the age of 64 after a prolonged illness.[7]

Career

During university period, he studied music under the maestro W. D. Amaradeva. After the graduation in 1988, he worked as a music teacher at Sarasavipaya (adjacent to Elphinstone Theatre) with his wife Darshani. Later they managed the popular "R. A Chandrasna Music Institute" which was founded by his father-in-law R A Chandrasena.[8] He met the musician and composer Premasiri Khemadasa who invited Ariyasinghe to sing a collection of popular songs that Khemadasa has composed along with Ajantha Ranasinghe that Amaradeva had sung originally. The songs were recorded on the album called 'Prema Sandevo'. He was later criticized for being a copycat of Amaradeva.[9] During this period, he became a 'Grade A' singer at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) and recorded over 1,000 songs at SLBC.

In 1986, he got his first appointment as a music teacher at Bandaranayake Central College, Uduwela, Barawardhanaoya. In 1991, he got appointed to D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo 7 as a Music Teacher where he served for 15 continuous years. Later, he left the teaching profession and became a full-time musician. He sang several popular songs such as Ma Langatama Thawa Lan Wela, Thisara Thudata and Walakulu Pelin Basinna and also voiced jingles of several popular TV advertisements.[10] [11] Ma Lagatama Thawa Lanwela composed by Tissasiri Perera and written by Ajantha Ranasinghe became one of the most popular songs.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Popular singer W.D. Ariyasinghe passes away . 11 December 2020 . Ada Derana.
  2. Web site: Of lyrics and tunes . 11 December 2020 . Daily News.
  3. Web site: Underrated, Misread, Wronged! . 11 December 2020 . Ceylon Today.
  4. Web site: Singer WD Ariyasinghe bids farewell . 11 December 2020 . Lankadeepa.
  5. Web site: Veteran singer W.D. Ariyasinghe passes away . 11 December 2020 . Dinamina.
  6. Web site: Singer WD Ariyasinghe's voice is silent . 11 December 2020 . Lankaviews.
  7. Web site: Veteran singer WD Ariyasinghe passes away at 64 . 11 December 2020 . Asian Mirror.
  8. Web site: WD Ariyasinghe is fine. 11 December 2020. gossiplankanews.
  9. News: Mendis. Henry Priyashantha. 1 February 2016. අමරදේවගේ ගීත හොරකම් කළ චෝදනාවට ආරියසිංහ පිළිතුරු දෙයි. Navaliya. 2020-12-12.
  10. Web site: Popular singer W.D. Ariyasinghe passes away . 11 December 2020 . Sri Lanka Mirror.
  11. Web site: Indika launches maiden CD . 11 December 2020 . Daily News.