Wannakuwatta Amaradeva's work was vital in the creation of the "sarala gee" genre practised subsequently by artists like Sanath Nandasiri, Victor Ratnayake, T M Jayaratne, Sunil Edirisinghe and Gunadasa Kapuge etc.
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30 Facts About Wannakuwatta Amaradeva
2.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva received numerous awards, including the Philippine Ramon Magsaysay Award, Indian Padma Sri Award and Sri Lankan "President's Award of Kala Keerthi" and Deshamanya Award.
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4.
In 1972, Wannakuwatta Amaradeva composed the music for the Maldivian National Anthem at the request of Maldivian Government.
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5.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva died at the age of 88 on 3 November 2016 due to heart failure.
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6.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva was presented with his own instrument on his seventh birthday which was a Japanese made tin violin by his father.
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7.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva was first entered into Sri Saddharmodaya Buddhist mixed School in Koralawella.
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8.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva knew about Amaradeva's talent and introduced him to Kumaratunga.
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9.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva was lucky to be appreciated by Kumaratunga for his singing talent.
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10.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva realized Amaradeva's talent and directed him on singing and playing.
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11.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva led the school choir to a triumphant showing at a contest held by the Colombo Arts Society.
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12.
In 1945 Wannakuwatta Amaradeva won a gold medal at a music and violin contest held by Jana Kala Mandalaya Wannakuwatta Amaradeva's fame that was limited only to the Koralawella, started spreading over other areas.
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13.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva entered Sri Sumangala College, Panadura after completing his primary education with a scholarship for English.
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14.
Fernando who was living in Kalutara helped Wannakuwatta Amaradeva get into Kalutara Vidyalaya and subsequently to Siddharta Vidyalaya Balapitiya.
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15.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva was a past student of Musaeus College, Colombo.
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16.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva was a teacher, who completed Twenty years of teaching career.
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17.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva left his studies and accompanied Ghouse to India to work on the film.
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19.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva graduated after five years with two Visharads as both a violinist and vocalist.
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21.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva's opus remains the work he did with Sri Lanka's celebrated lyricist Mahagama Sekera, in exploring the contours of fusing classical Sinhala poetry with his unique musical intonation.
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22.
In time, Wannakuwatta Amaradeva's music came to reflect an entire philosophy, reflective of the spirit of a nation.
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23.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva is the creator of the mando-harp, a musical instrument combining the mandolin and the harp.
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24.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva is credited as having introduced artists such as Nanda Malini and Edward Jayakody to the wider audience.
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25.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva has been described as the defining musician of Sinhala civilization for his role in the creation of a national tradition.
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26.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva was married to Wimala, together they had one son, and two daughters.
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27.
In 2015 Wannakuwatta Amaradeva made a duet with popular young artist, Umaria Sinhawansa prior to his demise.
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28.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva was admitted to Sri Jayawaradanapura Teaching Hospital due to a sudden illness.
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29.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva died at the age of 88 on 3 November 2016 while receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit.
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30.
Wannakuwatta Amaradeva's remains were given state honours at the Independence Memorial Hall for two days, the first time in the country's history where remains were kept at the Independence Memorial Hall.
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