Jayantha Rathnayake
Jayantha Rathnayake ජයන්ත රත්නායක | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rathnayake Arachchilage Jayantha Rathnayake 8 August 1968 Colombo,Sri Lanka |
| Died | 6 April 2020(aged 51) Colombo,Sri Lanka |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Education | D. S. Senanayake College |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Father | Victor Rathnayake |
| Relatives | Somapala Rathnayake(uncle) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, keyboard |
| Years active | 1983–2019 |
| Labels |
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Rathnayake Arachchilage Jayantha Rathnayake(Sinhala:ජයන්ත රත්නායක;8 August 1968 – 6 April 2020), popularly known asJayantha Rathnayake,was a renowned music composer, music director and a singer.[1]One of the most popular musicians in Sri Lanka, Jayantha rose to prominence with the musical band Siha Shakthi.[2]
Personal life
[edit]He was born on 8 August 1968 in Colombo, Sri Lanka as the eldest child in a family with four siblings. He completed education fromD. S. Senanayake College,Colombo 8.[3]He was married and was a father of one son and one daughter.[4]
He has been receiving treatment for cancer at the Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama for a long time.[5]The first cancer-related chemotherapy was done in July 2018. After that he had to stay in the hospital for two days for every two weeks while continuing to take the medicine.[6]In his final years, Jayantha and Lelum had a rift with his father, because of his father's second marriage.[7]Meanwhile, the father obtained a legal notice banning all songs from singing.[8]
He died on 6 April 2020 at the age of 51 while receiving treatments.[9]His remains were kept at the Mahinda Panagoda Florist, Koswatta, Thalangama.[10]The funeral took place on 8 April 2020 at Talahena, Malabe public cemetery.[11][12]
Family background
[edit]His fatherVictor Rathnayakeis one of the most respected musicians in Sri Lanka. In a career spanning for more than five decades, Victor has contributed to the background music for many films as well as composed several memorable tunes.[13]His mother Chithra Rathnayake was a housewife. Jayantha has two sisters, Chandani, Manjula and one brother, Lelum. Chandani Rathnayake was a dancer and a vocalist.[14]His brother Lelum is also a musician and singer who worked in a musical band.[15][16]
His uncleSomapala Rathnayakewas a renowned musician in Sri Lanka, who worked mostly in background music for many Sinhala films and television serials. He died in July 2016 at the age of 70.[17]
Career
[edit]Even though his parents forced him to do medicine, his passion was towards music grew since his child age. During school times, he became a regular member in the school choir and works at several school concerts. At the age of 12 under the guidance ofPremakeerthi de Alwis,he created a melody for his father to sing in ‘Aradhana Swara Dehena’ radio program. Meanwhile, he played Melodica for the two songs,Thani Wennata Mage LoweandThuru Lapalu Lathawoin the SA concert.[18]
After school, Jayantha lead the band 'Rajantha Miyasiya'. After few years, he joined 'Shakthi' band which later became 'Siha Shakthi'. During this period, he associated with renowned musicians such as Ananda Perera, Anthony Surendra, Sangeeth Wickramasinghe and Jayantha Gallage. He served as the keyboard player in the Sihashakthi band for many years and made the popular songsOraire,Nilambare Sudu Paravi,Parasidu Karaliyadda,Sanda MuwawelaandSriya Manamath Vee.[19]Meanwhile, he became a usual member of his father's SA Concert. The songPodi Kumarihamiyewas sung at the concert with just two musical instruments, Tabla and Harmonium. In that song, Jayantha became the successor to Alien de Zoysa to play the Harmonium. Later, he became the event manager and overall music director of SA concert.[18]
After some years, Jayantha recorded few original songs including the patriotic songRuwan Bimaand a set of romantic songs. In all the songs, he composed music and recorded for his first CD. He also joined withSri Lanka Rupavahini Corporationand contributed many children's programmes with melodies.[18]Along with his brother Lelum, he released a CD called 'Esala Nil Sanda'.[16]He also provided music for many musical programs, chat programs and advertisements. In 2013, he became the music director for the filmPeeter Onedirected byBandu Samarasinghe.[20]
On 7 April 2019, a musical concert was held at the RIT Alles Auditorium, DS Senanayake College to contribute towards medical expenditure for his cancer treatment.[21]
References
[edit]- ^"Veteran artist Jayantha Ratnayake passes away".Dinamina.Retrieved1 March2021.
- ^"Victor Rathnayake's Son Musician Jayantha Rathnayake Passes Away At The Age Of 51".Asian Mirror.Retrieved1 March2021.
- ^"Popular entertainer Jayantha Ratnayake is no more".Colombo Times.Retrieved1 March2021.
- ^"I cry when I do 'Leya Saha Laya': Jayantha Ratnayake".Sarasaviya.Retrieved1 March2021.
- ^"Musician Jayantha Ratnayake passes away".Ada Derana.Retrieved1 March2021.
- ^"Musician Jayantha Ratnayake ends his life journey".Janayugaya.Retrieved1 March2021.
- ^"I have cancer, Dad didn't even look".gossiplankanews.Retrieved1 March2021.
- ^"Victor serves legal notice to sons".newstube.Retrieved1 March2021.
- ^"Popular Sri Lankan musician Jayantha Ratnayake passed away".Colombo Gazette.Retrieved1 March2021.
- ^"Jayantha Ratnayake passes away".Lankadeepa.Retrieved1 March2021.
- ^"Funeral of musician Jayantha Ratnayake".Hiru News.Retrieved1 March2021.
- ^"Jayantha Ratnayake passes away".Sarasaviya.Retrieved1 March2021.
- ^"Victor's biography".Victor Rathnayake official website.Retrieved18 August2019.
- ^"Ira, Handa, Tharu – a three generation musical treat".The Island.Retrieved18 August2019.
- ^"Lelum In Concert".lankahelp.Retrieved18 August2019.
- ^ab"Most of the rumors about my brother are false: Leloum Ratnayake emphasizes".Sarasaviya.Retrieved1 March2021.
- ^"Somapala Ratnayake passes away".Sarasaviya.Retrieved18 August2019.
- ^abc"Running in the family".Daily News.Retrieved1 March2021.
- ^"Musician Jayantha Ratnayake passes away".Divaina.Retrieved1 March2021.
- ^"Bandu is back with Peter ONE".Daily News.Retrieved23 May2015.
- ^"Stars Sing For Jayantha".Daily Mirror.Retrieved1 March2021.