July 5, 2013, 8:43 pm
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BY Walter Wijenayake
Twenty six years have elapsed since the demise of H. R. Jothipala, the playback vocalist of the Sri Lankan silver screen. His songs are still among those most in demand in this country. His melodious voice took most of our youth into a dream world for he held the record of singing the most number of love solos and duets. At the time of his untimely death at the age of 51, he was the uncrowned playback maestro of the Sinhala screen.
If I remember right, Jothipala was the only film playback singer who offered true vocal expressions to the lyrics with variations that were an incentive to any actor.
The void left by Jothipala can never be filled by copying him.
That void will last till the last day of the Sinhala film industry. The voice of Jothipala suited the role as well as the personality of the actor.
'Sirivamessara', the song he presented in the film 'Surathalee' in 1956 is still a hit. 'Proothugeesikaraya Ratawal Allanna Sooriya' in 'Sandesaya' was also an instant hit. He holds the distinction of singing in approximately 328 Sinhala films during his playback career.
To my knowledge, Robin Tampoe was the first director to pick Jothipala for a role in a film. It was 'Sudu Sande Kalu Vala'.
He was a fine human being as well as a singer and an actor.
He never displeased any person who came for any request.
A product of St. Lawrence College, Maradana and St. John's College Dematagoda, he was born into the family of H. R. James and Ahaliyagoda H. K. Podinona Perera, on February 12, 1936 at Katawalamulla.
Hettiarachchige Reginald Jothipala had neither pursued music as a subject during his school career nor since completion of studies. He had the habit of spending his time at tea kiosks or community centres listening to the radio and enjoying the other vocalists. However, his passion for music swept him into the real track.
He married Winter - a nurse by profession. They had four children
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