H. R. Jothipala

Hettiarachchige Reginald Jothipala (Sinhala: එච්.ආර්. ජෝතිපාල; 12 February 1936 – 7 July 1987), popularly as H. R. Jothipala, was a Sri Lankan playback singer in the Sinhala cinema as well as a film actor. Considered as the best playback singer in Sri Lankan film history,[1] Jothipala lent his voice to all classes of actors ranging from Eddie Jayamanne to Ranjan Ramanayake.[2] He also worked as an opera singer.[3] He died in July 1987 at the age of 51 year from cardiac arrest.[4]

H. R. Jothipala
එච්.ආර්. ජෝතිපාල
Born
Hettiarachchige Reginald Jothipala

(1936-02-12)12 February 1936
Died7 July 1987(1987-07-07) (aged 51)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Resting placeBorella cemetery
NationalitySri Lankan
Other namesHadawatha Raththaran Jothi
Education
  • St. Lawrence College, Maradana
  • St. John's College, Dematagoda
Occupation(s)Actor, Playback singer
Years active1956-1987
SpouseBlossom Winter (m. 1962)
Children4
Parents
  • Hettiarachchige Reginald James (father)
  • Ahaliyagoda H.K. Podinona Perera (mother)
Signature

Personal life

Jothipala was born on 12 February 1936 in Dematagoda, Colombo, Sri Lanka as the first child in a middle-class family.[5] His father H. R. James was a tailor in Matara and mother Ahaliyagoda H. K. Podinona Perera was a nurse. Their home town is Matara, Sri Lanka & They later moved to Colombo.[6] He attended St. Lawrence College in Maradana and St. John's College in Dematagoda. He has four younger sisters and one younger brother.[7]

Jothipala would visit tea kiosks to hear music as his family didn't own a radio.[8] He cleaned medicine bottles at the Sulaiman Hospital on Armor Street, Colombo. Later he worked as the peon in M. D. Gunasena and the company.

He was married to Blossom Winter, they had four daughters together. He came to be known by his initials "H. R." and was loved as "Hadhavatha Raththaran Jothipala", meaning "golden-hearted Jothipala", due to his kindness to people of all ages, communities, and families.[9]

Career

Early days

Nadarajah, one of the best radio tabla players in the country at the time, was living at Kosgas Junction in Grandpass, Colombo. One day he heard Jothipala singing and chose to sing Hindi songs at the weddings of the Colombo aristocracy.[7] B. S. Perera, the famous film music director who was the head of the radio orchestra who first recognized Jothipala's talents. In 1952, there was a program on the radio called 'Adhunika Peya', which showcased the talents of amateur singers, courtesy of the Queen Sweets Company. He competed in this competition and became the winner. From there he went to the radio program "Jayagrahi Pelapaliya" and won first place.[10]

In 1955, he missed three golden opportunities to become a playback singer. At first, he went to meet Wimalaweera master who composed music for the film Podi Putha. During the audition, Wimalaweera informed Jothipala that his voice is not right, where it trembles and not sweet. In February, Jothipala and Chandrasena went Negombo and met B. A. W. Jayamanne and Rukmani Devi. Even though they satisfied about his voice, Jothipala could not go to India for playback as he did not have a passport. In the third time, he met A. B. Raj, director of the film Perakadoru Bena. He refused Jothipala due to having rough voice.[10]

Jothipala made his debut as a playback singer on Cyril P. Abeyratne's Surathalee, singing "Siriyame Sara", in 1956.[11] Jothipala has said that he contemplated taking his life when he went with his friends to watch Podi Putha and found out that his song was not included. Later when Surathalee producer Jabir A. Cader wanted to hear one of his songs to consider him for the film, Jothipala almost passed on the offer as he did not possess enough money to create a record.[7] He was helped out by veteran musician Stanley Omar who financed him for the sum of 35 rupees – a large amount of money at the time. Jothipala's song on the film, "Siriyame Sara," still remains popular in Sri Lanka, having recorded the popular number under the direction of T.R. Papa at Wahini Studio in India.[10]

Jothipala has worked with many reputed directors of Sri Lanka. In the early stages of his prolific career, Jothipala got the chance to work with the prolific filmmaker, Lester James Peries on the movie Sandeshaya. Jothipala sang the song "Puruthugeesi Karaya" for the film, which was composed by the legendary Sunil Santha and written by veteran lyricist Arisen Ahubudu.[12]

Success

Jothipala was the undisputed choice in films that were made in the late sixties and through the seventies, the period during which he also began to act. Though Jothi was criticized for singing to the tunes of popular Hindi songs, particularly of Mohammed Rafi, he also sang under the batons of P.V. Nandasiri, Premasiri Khemadasa, Sarath Dassanayake and Milton Mallawarachchi. Jothipala is considered the backbone of Sri Lankan playback singing. He has voiced a wide array of actors across many decades in his era. Apart from singing, he also acted in 33 films.[13]

He sang in hundreds of films including popular hits like Kasthuri Suwanda, Thushara, Sweeep Ticket, Hitha Honda Minihek, Kawuda Raja, Hondata Hondai, Wasana, Sangeetha and others.[7] The award-winning singer also played some memorable roles in films including Ethulweema Thahanam, Sulalitha Sobani, Sujeewa, Sukiri Kella, Abirahasa, Bonikka, Shanthi and his own production Sumithuro and Obai Mamai.[14] He made his film debut as an actor in 1963 with a lame character in the film Sudu Sande Kalu Wala and later played mostly villain characters.[10]

Although Jothipala was very talented in his own respect, he was criticized for singing to the tunes of popular Hindi songs, particularly of Mohammed Rafi.[15] Jothipala sang many duets with Sujatha Attanayake and Latha Walpola,'but largely with Angeline Gunathilake.[16] Jothipala's best friend was the then popular singer J. A. Milton Perera. In the late 1950s, the duo debated their theme song "Anangaya" cult on the radio commercial service. Jothipala won the Best Singer award for his song "Mee Jeevanaye" from the 1974 film Onna Babo Billo Enawa. At the 1983 Sarasaviya Awards, Jothipala won the Award for Best Singer for the song "Sara Sande" from the film Meedum Sihina and for the song "Paalu Susane" from the 1986 film Obata Divana Kiyannam.[10]

The Sinhala Baila song Pissu Vikare (Dagena Polkatu Male) by H. R. Jothipala, Milton Perera, M. S. Fernando is a cover version of the Tamil song Dingiri Dingale (Meenachi) from the 1958 Tamil film Anbu Engey. And it was covered again in Sinhala as a folk song named Digisi/Digiri Digare (Kussiye Badu).

Death

Two days before his death, on 5 July 1987, he participated in "Gam Udaawa", a patriotic project by late President Ranasinghe Premadasa, and sang on his final open stage. But while singing he felt pain but finished the singing successfully. The next day he was admitted to the hospital. Jothipala died on 7 July 1987 at Ratnams Private Hospital.[17] The cause of his death was said to be liver failure. "He came to our hospital very regularly. Ramya Fleming was in charge of the ICU and was at home when she got the call to come in. As soon as news spread of Jothipala's death, people surrounded Ratnam Private Hospital. All of Union Square was filled with fans, and some even jumped over the hospital gate just to get a glimpse of Jothipala.

Numerous activities are still underway throughout the country for his commemorations.

Filmography and Playback singing

YearFilmActing roleOther rolesRef.
1956SurathaliPlayback singing
1958Ekamath Eka RatakaPlayback singing
1958Deyyange RatePlayback singing
1958DaskamaCrowd memberPlayback singing
1958Vana MohiniPlayback singing
1959AvishwasayaPlayback singing
1959Sri 296Playback singing
1959Gehenu GetaPlayback singing
1960SubhadraPlayback singing
1960SandeshayaPlayback singing
1960NalanganaPlayback singing
1961Suvineetha LalaniPlayback singing
1961Gan TheraPlayback singing
1962SansarePlayback singing
1962Suhada Divi PidumaPlayback singing
1963Sudu Sande Kalu WalaJothipala 'Nondi Jothi'Playback singing
1963DeepashikaPlayback singing
1964Kala Kala De Pala Pala DePlayback singing
1964Sulalitha SobhaniSoldierPlayback singing
1964Samiya Birindage DeviyayaPlayback singing
1964Samaje Api Okkoma SamanaiPlayback singing
1964Sithaka Mahima
yes
Playback singing
1965Hithata HithaPlayback singing
1965Satha PanahaPlayback singing
1965Sweep TicketPlayback singing
1966Athulweema ThahanamPlayback singing
1966Kinkini PaadaPlayback singing
1966Seegiri KashyapaPlayback singing
1966Sudu DuvaPlayback singing
1966Athulweema Thahanam
yes
Playback singing
1967Hitha Giya ThenaPlayback singing
1968Pini Bindu
yes
Playback singing
1968London HamuPlayback singing
1968WanasaraPlayback singing
1968Amathikama
yes
Playback singing
1968Ruhunu KumariPlayback singing
1968Dehadaka DukaPlayback singing
1969Oba NathnamPlayback singing
1969Mee MassoPlayback singing
1969Suranyangeth SurayaPlayback singing
1969Uthum SthriyaPlayback singing
1969Praweshamvanna
yes
Playback singing
1970Sumudu BharyaPlayback singing
1970Dan MathakadaPlayback singing
1970Athma PoojaPlayback singing
1970GeethaSamPlayback singing
1970Ohoma HaridaPlayback singing
1970Suli SulangPlayback singing
1971Davena Pipasa
yes
Playback singing
1971Hathara Denama SurayoPlayback singing
1971AbhirahasaLoverPlayback singing
1971Seeye NottuwaPlayback singing
1971Sahanaya
yes
[18]
1972Adare Hithenawa DakkamaPlayback singing
1972Edath Sooraya Adath SoorayaPlayback singing
1972SujeewaDouglasPlayback singing[19]
1972Ada MehemaiPlayback singing
1972Hithaka Pipunu MalPlayback singing
1972Lokuma HindawaSingerPlayback singing
1972Me Desa KumatadaPlayback singing
1972Ihatha AthmayaSingerPlayback singing
1973Suhada PathumaPlayback singing
1973Aparadhaya Ha DanduwamaPlayback singing
1973ThusharaPlayback singing
1973Sadahatama Oba MagePlayback singing
1973Hathdinnath TharuPlayback singing
1973Hondama WelawaPlayback singing
1973Sinawai InawaiPlayback singing
1973SunethraAjithPlayback singing
1973Hondai NarakaiPlayback singing
1973Dahakin EkekPlayback singing
1973Hondata HondaiPlayback singing
1974DuleekaPlayback singing
1974Kasthuri SuwandaPlayback singing
1974Dinum Kanuwa
yes
Playback singing
1974SheelaPlayback singing
1974SurekhaPlayback singing
1974Kalyani GangaPlayback singing
1974Shanthi
yes
Playback singing
1974Onna Babo Billo EnawaPlayback singing
1974SuseePlayback singing
1974Duppathage HithawathaPlayback singing
1974LasandaPlayback singing
1974Sahayata DannySandunPlayback singing
1974WasthuwaPlayback singing
1974Jeewana GangaPlayback singing
1974Rodi GamaPlayback singing
1975Hitha Honda MinihekPlayback singing
1975Obai MamaiSanathPlayback singing
1975Pem KurulloPlayback singing
1975Raththaran AmmaPlayback singing
1975TharangaPlayback singing
1975Awa Soya AdarePlayback singing
1975Sukiri KellaSumithPlayback singing
1975Kohoma KiyannadaPlayback singing
1975Cyril MalliPlayback singing
1975Mage Nangi Shyama
yes
Playback singing
1975Lassana KellaPlayback singing
1975KokilayoPlayback singing
1975GijulihiniyoPlayback singing
1975Sooraya SoorayamaiPlayback singing
1975Ranwan Rekha
yes
Playback singing
1975Jeewana Geethaya
yes
1975Damayanthi
yes
Playback singing
1975SikuruliyaPlayback singing
1975Lassana DavasakPlayback singing
1975Sadhana
yes
Playback singing
1975Hadawathaka WasanthayaPlayback singing
1975SangeethaPlayback singing
1976Pradeepe Ma WewaPlayback singing
1976Nayana
yes
Playback singing
1976Kawuda RajaPlayback singing
1976WasanaPlayback singing
1976GangaPlayback singing
1976Harima Badu ThunakPlayback singing
1976WanarayoPlayback singing
1976Unnath Dahai Malath DahaiPlayback singing
1976Onna Mame Kella PanapiPlayback singing
1976Saradielge PuthaPlayback singing
1976Adarei Man AdareiPlayback singing
1976NedeyoPlayback singing
1976Ran ThilakaPlayback singing
1977NeelaPlayback singing
1977SakunthalaPlayback singing
1977Sudu ParaviyoPlayback singing
1977HithuwakkarayoPlayback singing
1977Sri MadaraPlayback singing
1977Hariyanakota Ohama ThamaPlayback singing
1977Hithuwoth HithuwamaiPlayback singing
1977NilukaPlayback singing
1977Pembara MadhuPlayback singing
1977Chin Chin NonaPlayback singing
1977Honda HithaPlayback singing
1977Yali IpadePlayback singing
1977SajaaPlayback singing
1977Sikuru Dasawa
yes
1977Chandi PuthaPlayback singing
1977Aege Adara KathawaPlayback singing
1977Maruwa Samaga WasePlayback singing
1977Tom PachayaPlayback singing
1977YakadayaPlayback singing
1978Sithaka SuwandaPlayback singing
1978Chandi ShyamaPlayback singing
1978VishmayaPlayback singing
1978MadhuwanthiPlayback singing
1978Sri PathulaPlayback singing
1978Hitha MithuraPlayback singing
1978KundalakeshiPlayback singing
1978TikiraPlayback singing
1978Sally
yes
Playback singing
1978ApsaraPlayback singing
1978DeepanjaliPlayback singing
1978ApekshaPlayback singing
1978Kumara KumariyoPlayback singing
1978SasaraPlayback singing
1978Sandawata RantharuPlayback singing
1978AnupamaPlayback singing
1979SamanmaliPlayback singing
1979GeheniyakPlayback singing
1979Minisun Athara MinisekPlayback singing
1979Jeewana KanduluPlayback singing
1979Amal BisoPlayback singing
1979Hingana KollaPlayback singing
1979Raja KurulloPlayback singing
1979Eka HithaPlayback singing
1979Rosa Mal ThunakPlayback singing
1979AnushaPlayback singing
1979Akke Mata AwasaraPlayback singing
1979SugandiPlayback singing
1979Sawudan JemaPlayback singing
1979SubhaniPlayback singing
1979Wisihathara PeyaPlayback singing
1979Hari PudumaiPlayback singing
1980Tak Tik TukPlayback singing
1980SilvaPlayback singing
1980Ektam GePlayback singing
1980SeethaPlayback singing
1980Adara RathnePlayback singing
1980Doctor SusanthaPlayback singing
1980Sasaraka PathumPlayback singing
1980Bambara PahasaPlayback singing
1980Muwanpalessa 2Playback singing
1980Raja DawasakPlayback singing
1980SankhapaliPlayback singing
1980SabeethaPlayback singing
1980Api DedenaPlayback singing
1981Mihidum SihinaPlayback singing
1981RangaPlayback singing
1981Sathweni DawasaPlayback singing
1981ValampuriPlayback singing
1981SenasumaPlayback singing
1981Amme Mata SamawennaPlayback singing
1981Ridee ThallaPlayback singing
1981GeethikaPlayback singing
1981JeewanthiPlayback singing
1982Thana GiraviDineshPlayback singing
1982Sakvithi SuwayaPlayback singing
1982Thani TharuwaPlayback singing
1982Sudu AyyaPlayback singing
1982Pethi GomaraPlayback singing
1982Eka Diga KathawakPlayback singing
1982Sanasanna MaPlayback singing
1982AnuradhaPlayback singing
1982Rahasak Nathi RahasakPlayback singing
1982Kiri SuwandaPlayback singing
1982SitharaPlayback singing
1982Hello ShyamaPlayback singing
1982Thakkita TharikitaPlayback singing
1982Newatha HamuwemuPlayback singing
1982Miss MallikaPlayback singing
1982Rail ParaPlayback singing
1983Ran Mini MuthuPlayback singing
1983SandamaliPlayback singing
1983SumithuroJayantha HettiarachchiPlayback singing, Producer
1983Samuganimi Ma SamiyaniPlayback singing
1983Yali Pipunu MalakPlayback singing
1983Karate JoePlayback singing
1983Thunhiri alPlayback singing
1983Senehasaka KanduluPlayback singing
1983Loku ThaththaPlayback singing
1983Mal MadhuPlayback singing
1983Muwanpalessa 3Playback singing
1983Hithath Hondai Wadath HondaiPlayback singing
1983BonikkoInspector
1984Kiir KawadiPlayback singing
1984Thaththai PuthaiPlayback singing
1984Binari Saha Sudu BandaPlayback singing
1984Bambara PatikkiPlayback singing
1984KokilaPlayback singing
1984Namal RenuPlayback singing
1984Rana DeranaPlayback singing
1984Hadawathaka WedanaPlayback singing
1984BattiPlayback singing
1984Ara SoyzaPlayback singing
1984BirindaPlayback singing
1984Jaya SikuruiPlayback singing
1985Araliya MalPlayback singing
1985Channai Kello DennaiPlayback singing
1985Obata Diwura KiyannamPlayback singing
1985Adarayaka MahimaPlayback singing
1985Sudu MamaPlayback singing
1985Doo DaruwoPlayback singing
1985Kirimaduwal
yes
Playback singing
1986Mal WarusaPlayback singing
1986PrarthanaPlayback singing
1986PeralikarayoPlayback singing
1986Gimhane Gee NadePlayback singing
1986Jaya ApataiPlayback singing
1987Yugayen YugatayaPlayback singing
1987Hitha Honda ChandiyaPlayback singing
1987Kiwulegedara MohottalaPlayback singing
1987Yukthiyada ShakthiyadaPlayback singing
1987KawuluwaPlayback singing
1987Raja WadakarayoPlayback singing
1987Ran DamwalPlayback singing
1987Obatai Priye AdarePlayback singing
1987AhinsaPlayback singing
1988Chandingeth ChandiyaPlayback singing
1988Amme Oba NisaPlayback singing
1988AngulimalaPlayback singing
1988Nawa Gilunath Ban ChunPlayback singing
1988SatanaPlayback singing
1989Mamai RajaPlayback singing
1989Badulu KochchiyaPlayback singing
1989Waradata DanduwamaPlayback singing
1990Dese Mal PipilaPlayback singing
1990Sambudu MahimaPlayback singing
1991Salabak HandaiPlayback singing
1992Sakvithi RajaPlayback singing
1992Roomathiyay NeethiyayPlayback singing
1993ChayaPlayback singing
1997VijayagrahanayaPlayback singing
1998Aeya Obata BaraiPlayback over 15,000 more than singing

Notes

  1. "සිරියා මෙ සාරා සිට රමණීය කමණීය අපේ ආදරේ දක්වා". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  2. A TRIBUTE TO JOTHI: THE SINGER AND HIS SONG
  3. "30th commemoration of Jothipala". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  4. "Wonderful information about the life of HR Jothipala who would have turned 84 if he had been alive". lifie. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  5. "Unrevealed stories of H.R. Jothipala in his triumphant journey | Daily FT".
  6. sooriya.lk . H.R.JOTHIPALA
  7. "Jothipala is a fan-based popular singer". Dinamina. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  8. Uvais, Ramesh. ""Jothi, always alive in our hearts"". Archived from the original on 17 March 2005. Retrieved 28 September 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). Daily Mirror. Retrieved 20 November 2006.
  9. "The undisputed superstar of Sinhala popular music: HR Jothipala". fmderana. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  10. "Immortal Jothi in the world of singing". Silumina. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  11. Sinhala Jukebox. "Tribute to H R Jothipala!!". Sinhala Jukebox. Retrieved 20 November 2006.
  12. Uvais, Ramesh. ""Deathless Jothi, always alive in our hearts"". Archived from the original on 17 March 2005. Retrieved 28 September 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). Daily Mirror. Retrieved 20 November 2006.
  13. "H.R. Jothipala - එච් ආර් ජෝතිපාල ( 1936 - 07 ) filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  14. "Sara Sande Sina Sele". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  15. "Hindi Songs Turned Sinhala - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  16. "Jothi who combined song and good heart". Divaina. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  17. Sinhala Jukebox. "Tribute to H R Jothipala!!". Sinhala Jukebox. Retrieved 20 November 2006.
  18. "All about Sahanaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  19. "All about Sujeewa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
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