H. R. Jothipala
| H.R. Jothipala | |
|---|---|
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| Born |
Hettiarachchige Reginald Jothipala 12 February 1936 British Ceylon |
| Died | 7 July 1987 (aged 51) Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Known for | Sinhala music |
Hettiarachchige Reginald Jothipala (Sinhalese: එච්.අර්.ජොතිපාල; 12 February 1936 – 7 July 1987) was a prolific playback singer in the Sinhala cinema. He also worked as an opera singer. He died in July 1987 at the age of 51 years and 5 months. Jothipala lent his voice to all classes of actors ranging from Eddie Jayamanne, Ananda Jayaratne, Gamini Fonseka, Vijaya Kumaratunga, Sanath Gunathilake, Tony Ranasinghe, Ravindra Randeniya and even several of the young generation of actors in Sri Lanka.
Jothipala was the first child in a middle-class family from Matara, Sri Lanka. He attended St. Lawrence College in Maradana and St. John's College in Dematagoda. Jothipala would visit tea kiosks to hear music as his family didn't own a radio. He married Vintor Blosem. They have 4 daughters.
He came to be known by his initials "H. R." and was loved as "Hadhavatha Raththaran Jothipala", meaning "kind-hearted Jothipala", due to his kindness to people of all ages, communities, and families.
Jothipala made his debut as a playback singer on Cyril P. Abeyratne's Surathalee, singing "Siriyame Sara", in 1956. Prior to that, he had recorded a song for the late Sirisena Wimalaweera's Podi Putha. The song didn't make the final cut, as the Indian film composer on the film didn't consider Jothipala's voice good enough.
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. 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.
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