Rohana Weerasinghe

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

Rohana Weerasinghe
At Nanda Malini Geethawali, Winnipeg, Canada
Born (1949-02-18) 18 February 1949
Algiriya, Matara, Sri Lanka
Other namesDickmadugodage Rohana Chithrakumara Weerasingha
EducationUniversity of the Visual and Performing Arts
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, singer, teacher, advisor to the president
SpouseBatapola Arachchige Leela Beatrice De Silva
Children2
RelativesPriyani Jayasinghe (cousin daughter)
Websiterohanaweerasingheonline.com

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
Year Award Title Production
1982 Sarasaviya Best Music Director Aaradhana
1987 Sarasaviya Best Music Director Aadara Hasuna
1991 Sarasaviya Best Music Director Saharave Sihinaya
1991 SIGNIS Best Music Director Saharave Sihinaya
1991 Swarnasankha Best Music Director Saharave Sihinaya
1994 Presidential Awards Best Music Director Saptha Kanya
1994 Sarasaviya Best Music Director Madara Parasathu
1994 Presidential Awards Best Music Director Madara Parasathu
1998 Sarasaviya Best Music Director Seilama
1999 Sarasaviya Best Music Director Veesidela
2003 Presidential Awards Best Music Director Me Mage Sandai
2007 Presidential Awards Best Music Director Anjalika
1982 Vijaya Rupavahini Awards Best Music Director Rekha
1983 Vijaya Rupavahini Awards Best Music Director Sudu saha kalu
1992 SIGNIS Best Music Director Dunhinda addara
1994 Sumathi Awards Best Music Director Sankranthi Samaya
1998 Sumathi Awards Best Music Director Vilambeetha[11]
2002 SIGNIS Best Music Director Gajaman Nona
2008 Raigam Awards Best Music Director Rala Bindena Thena
1990 Rasa Awards Best Music Director[12] Thala mala pipila
1991 Rasa Awards Best Music Director Maghatha
1997 Rasa Awards Most Popular Song Sandapanak se awidin
1997 Rasa Awards Most Popular Song Ranmalak Lesa
1997 Rasa Awards Most Popular Music Director in Sri Lanka N/A
2004 Government Drama Award Special Recognition N/A
2009 Eagle Insurance Eagle Awards of Excellence[13] N/A

Publications
  • Lankika Sangeethayei Rohana Lakuna – Rohana Icon in Sri Lankan Music, Edited by Ravi Siriwardhana and Samudhra Wettasinghe, 2002
  • Gaman Magak – Along a Winding Path, Biography of Rohana Weerasinghe, 2009[14][15]

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