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Ajantha Ranasinghe
Senanayake Mudianselage Ranasinghe Arachchilage Ajantha Sarath Kumara Ranasinghe (30 May 1940 – 27 February 2016), popularly known as Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe, was a Sri Lankan journalist, lyricist, poet, and novelist. Over the course of a 40 year career, he contributed to nearly 60 films and more than 400 songs.
Ajantha Ranasinghe was born on 30 May 1940 in Thalammahara, a small village in the Kurunegala district, as the second of five siblings. His father was a doctor and his mother was both a teacher and a postmaster. He had one elder sister, two younger sisters, and a younger brother. After obtaining his primary education at the Pannala Government School, he moved to Colombo and resumed his studies at St. John's College, Nugegoda. He left after completing the GCE Ordinary Level Exams.
Ranasinghe was married to Sarojini Weeratunge, the daughter of late singer Kokiladevi Weeratunga. The couple had two children: Saranga and Devalochana.
Ranasinghe's uncle Asoka Pieris was a well known dramatist, and he came under his influence and through that got to showcase his talent over the airwaves. At a very young age, Ranasinghe wrote Buddhist songs to the Lama Mandapaya, a program on Radio Ceylon hosted by Karunaratne Abeysekera. He participated in another program, Radio Magazine, organised by the filmmaker K. A. W. Perera. His first published work, Thivanka Rekha, a poetry collection, came out in 1964.
He wrote poetry and short stories for the children's pages of Silumina and Peramuna. His poetry was frequently published in Silumina, Vanitha Viththi, and Lankadeepa. Eventually he was selected as a staff reporter at Dinamina. He would graduate from and to the posts of Sub Editor, Local News Editor, Additional Chief Sub Editor, Chief Sub Editor, Features Editor, and Chief Editor of Navayugaya.
After three decades in journalism, Ranasinghe began writing lyrics for singers, with his verses becoming popular among the public. He earned several awards during his career, including the Sarasaviya, OCIC, State Literary, Raigam, Sumathi, and Kumaratunga Munidasa ceremonies. In addition to being a lyricist, Ranasinghe was also a B Grade Radio Ceylon singer.
Ranasinghe died at the Colombo National Hospital on 27 February 2016 after an accident three days prior. His remains were kept at No. 11/4, Ranasinghe Mawatha, Hiripitiya, Pannipitiya at his son's residence. The funeral was held on 29 February 2016 at the Borella Cemetery.
Dr. Ranasinghe contributed over 300 lyrics to Sinhala films since 1976 with his debut, Wasana.
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Ajantha Ranasinghe
Senanayake Mudianselage Ranasinghe Arachchilage Ajantha Sarath Kumara Ranasinghe (30 May 1940 – 27 February 2016), popularly known as Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe, was a Sri Lankan journalist, lyricist, poet, and novelist. Over the course of a 40 year career, he contributed to nearly 60 films and more than 400 songs.
Ajantha Ranasinghe was born on 30 May 1940 in Thalammahara, a small village in the Kurunegala district, as the second of five siblings. His father was a doctor and his mother was both a teacher and a postmaster. He had one elder sister, two younger sisters, and a younger brother. After obtaining his primary education at the Pannala Government School, he moved to Colombo and resumed his studies at St. John's College, Nugegoda. He left after completing the GCE Ordinary Level Exams.
Ranasinghe was married to Sarojini Weeratunge, the daughter of late singer Kokiladevi Weeratunga. The couple had two children: Saranga and Devalochana.
Ranasinghe's uncle Asoka Pieris was a well known dramatist, and he came under his influence and through that got to showcase his talent over the airwaves. At a very young age, Ranasinghe wrote Buddhist songs to the Lama Mandapaya, a program on Radio Ceylon hosted by Karunaratne Abeysekera. He participated in another program, Radio Magazine, organised by the filmmaker K. A. W. Perera. His first published work, Thivanka Rekha, a poetry collection, came out in 1964.
He wrote poetry and short stories for the children's pages of Silumina and Peramuna. His poetry was frequently published in Silumina, Vanitha Viththi, and Lankadeepa. Eventually he was selected as a staff reporter at Dinamina. He would graduate from and to the posts of Sub Editor, Local News Editor, Additional Chief Sub Editor, Chief Sub Editor, Features Editor, and Chief Editor of Navayugaya.
After three decades in journalism, Ranasinghe began writing lyrics for singers, with his verses becoming popular among the public. He earned several awards during his career, including the Sarasaviya, OCIC, State Literary, Raigam, Sumathi, and Kumaratunga Munidasa ceremonies. In addition to being a lyricist, Ranasinghe was also a B Grade Radio Ceylon singer.
Ranasinghe died at the Colombo National Hospital on 27 February 2016 after an accident three days prior. His remains were kept at No. 11/4, Ranasinghe Mawatha, Hiripitiya, Pannipitiya at his son's residence. The funeral was held on 29 February 2016 at the Borella Cemetery.
Dr. Ranasinghe contributed over 300 lyrics to Sinhala films since 1976 with his debut, Wasana.