1. Dharmadasa Walpola was the most prominent Sri Lankan male playback singer of the 1950s and 1960s.
17 Facts About Dharmadasa Walpola
1. 2.
Dharmadasa Walpola had to forgo his education at a young age to support his family and for a time built masks for the Sri Lankan army.
3.
Dharmadasa Walpola subsequently acted and sang in the play Wessanthara as well.
4.
Dharmadasa Walpola debuted as a playback singer in the 1953 film Prema Tharangaya alongside his future wife Rita Jenevi Fernando.
5.
Around 1956, Dharmadasa Walpola married Fernando who subsequently adapted the name Latha Dharmadasa Walpola.
6.
From his debut to the early 1960s, Dharmadasa Walpola dominated male playback singing in Sri Lankan cinema providing a counterpoint to the harsh Carnatic style of Mohideen Baig with his softer more melodic voice which lend itself to love songs.
7.
Dharmadasa Walpola served as a music teacher later on in his life.
8.
Dharmadasa Walpola was married to Latha Walpola and had five children; Amith Walpola, Dhammika Walpola, Chaminda Lolitha Walpola, Suneth Walpola and Sumith Walpola, who have already entered the music industry.
9.
Dharmadasa Walpola's mother was Mrs Karunawathie and father Mr Charles Appuhamy, a dressmaker by profession, tailored costumes to the Tower Hall artists.
10.
Dharmadasa Walpola was a superb player of harmonium, violin, tabla and flute.
11.
Dharmadasa Walpola acclaimed zenith of his popularity overnight as a play-back singer by his first film "Prema Tharangaya" screened in 1953.
12.
Dharmadasa Walpola sang for films in Sujatha as second film followed by Ahankara Sthree.
13.
Dharmadasa Walpola was the play-back singer not only for leading Sri Lankan actors like Gamini Fonseka, Joe Abeywickrama, Ananda Jayaratne, Herbi Senavitratna, Roy De Silva et al, but Indian actors like Jemini Ganeshan.
14.
Dharmadasa Walpola was adjudged the best play-back singer for his pre-eminent golden voice over the world acclaimed Indian singers.
15.
Dharmadasa Walpola was not only the leading play-back singer but the indisputable singer in ballet radio and stage drama music.
16.
Dharmadasa Walpola married Rita Jenevi Fernando of Galkissa in 1959, the Nightingale of Sri Lanka.
17.
Dharmadasa Walpola was a gentleman who strictly adhered to his principle of safeguarding the dignity of singing despite it might have caused disadvantage to him.