321:. Over the next six years, he would have a string of popular songs including "Olu Pipila", "Handapane", "Ho Ga Rella Negay", "Bowitiya Dan Palukan Vare", "Suwada Rosa Mal Nela", "Kokilayange", and "Mihikathanalawala." The song "Olu Pipila" is the first song to be recorded at then Radion Ceylon. Santha stressed his Sinhala heritage in his songs opting to sing in Sinhala rather than English and not copy Hindustani and Tamil songs of India. In the meantime, he joined
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348:, whom the corporation had brought from India to oversee the direction of music on their stations. Santha experienced monetary problems after being terminated from Radio Ceylon. His songbooks were plagiarised, his songs were sold without consent or royalties by copyright violators. He tried his hand at various trades like photography, selling clothes and electronics over the next few years.
290:. While tenured there, Santha led the school to three consecutive victories at the Southern Schools Music Competition. In 1939 he passed the Intermediate Gandarva Examination and received a certificate in physical training. He also learned to play the piano and guitar at that time. He acted and produced several dramas including "Hamlet" during this period.
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and worked to get his
Visharadha Degree in 1944. He passed the final exam as the first in the first division in Sitar and Vocals, the first non-Indian Asian to do so. Joseph graduated in “Sangeetha Vishaarada” from the Bhathkanda University of Musicology and returned to Sri Lanka in 1952 and shunned
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in
Dehiyagatha, Ja-Ela, Sri Lanka. Both his parents died before he was two years old, and Santha was raised by his grandmother. At an early age he came to the limelight when he played King Dutugamunu in a village play. One villager adorned him with a battery-powered lighted necklace. He had his
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At St. Benedict's
College, Santha passed the school leaving certificate examination as the first in the island, with the highest marks in his class as a young adult and was awarded the Weeraratne award. In 1933, he completed the Teachers Final Examination and began work as a teacher at the Mt.
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was produced. This contained a set of songs written and composed by Sunil with melodies using only four notes. The lyrics were based on Sigiri Kurutu Gee (sigiri graffiti). The songs are remarkable in that they used traditional Sri Lankan drums and other instruments to create a unique sound.
360:) who used to play violin at Sunil's performances, was in need of help, Sunil gave him two of his music classes at Panadura to teach and make a living. Sunil also helped collect money to send Amaradewa for further studies in India.
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Santha died on 11 April 1981 from a heart attack shortly after his son Jagath drowned under mysterious circumstances in a swimming pool. His son Lanka Santha is an engineer who is married to
Calista Rohini, an agricultural graduate.
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In 1953, Santha started a small school at the
Maradana Newton building, vowing to teach 10 pupils for free. He often helped fellow artists and promising talent. He wrote to newspapers about the plight of
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was a Sri Lankan composer, singer and lyricist. He was pivotal in the development of
Sinhala music and folk songs in the mid to late 1940s and early 1950s. He composed the beloved soundtracks to
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his
English name, Joseph John and adapted Sunil Santha. He then adopted the name "Sunil Santha". During his studies in India he regularly contributed to Sri Lankan newspapers.
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Santha moved into his uncle's house in 1970 as he was evicted from the rental house he lived in. In 1977 a record titled
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literary association. A diligent songwriter himself, Santha sang songs written by lyricists like
Huberth Dissanayake,
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685:(CD with images of articles from 1930–1960). National Archives – Colombo: National Library Collection – ACC 139744.
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and tried to bring attention to the composer of the national anthem. At a time when Albert Perera (later known as
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Interview with
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On 2 March 1946 Santha held a recital for the
Kumaratunga Commemoration ceremony and was asked to record for
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In 1952, Santha was banned from Radio Ceylon after refusing to audition for Indian classical musician
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started a campaign to expose Santha's plight and raised some money through his column on
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SunilSamara, A collection of articles (CD) – Central Archives Colombo. Sri lanka
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in 1956 and 1960. In a later comeback, he produced several experimental works.
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asked Santha to come back to the national radio service. Santha worked with
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In 1952, he married school teacher Bernadet Leelawathi Jayasekara.
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to study music. The following year Santha enrolled at the
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441:"Sunil Santha, the Unforgettable"
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611:. Kala Santha. 2007
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22:Sunil Santha
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756:Hela Havula
751:1981 deaths
746:1915 births
683:Sunil Watha
400:Hela Havula
323:Hela Havula
120:Occupations
83:, Sri Lanka
64:, Sri Lanka
740:Categories
661:Lankadeepa
573:Daily News
536:Daily News
405:References
369:Lankadeepa
188:Instrument
132:songwriter
54:1915-04-14
384:Sunil Gee
258:Sandesaya
227:Signature
201:1945–1981
162:Classical
89:Education
701:Silumina
497:11 March
470:Dinamina
445:Daily FT
425:11 March
395:See also
337:and Fr.
249:' films
126:Composer
615:21 June
542:21 June
81:Colombo
641:1 July
635:සරසවිය
538:. 2007
252:Rekava
206:Labels
191:Vocals
155:Genres
140:Spouse
129:singer
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70:Died
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