Jothi remembered
The 23rd death anniversary falls today :
Ruwini JAYAWARDANA
More than 20 years had passed since the demise of the inimitable
playback vocalist of the Sri Lankan silver screen, H.R. Jothipala but
his songs are still among the most demanded numbers in the country
today.
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H R Jothipala |
Hettiarachchige Reginald Jothipala was born in Katawalamulla to a
middle-class family on February 12, 1936. His father was H.R. James and
his mother was Ahaliyagoda H. K. Podinona Perera. Jothi was the eldest
in a family of five. He attended St. Lawrence College, Maradana, and St.
John's College, Dematagoda but never took up music as a subject neither
at school nor after completing his studies.
Though his love for music and song grew as the years swept by, the
beginning of his musical career was filled with hardships and sorrow.
Some criticized Jothi for singing to tunes of popular Hindi hits and
many did not believe in Jothi's unique talent.
He began his career as a vocalist singing duets with Wasantha
Sandanayake and G. S. B. Rani Perera at SLBC.
Though he made his debut as a playback singer in 1956 by taking part
in Cyril P. Abeyratne's Surathalee with the hit Siriyame Sara on which
the music is directed by T.R. Papa, Jothi had recorded a song for the
late Sirisena Wimalaweera's Podi Putha earlier.
The song was mysteriously slashed from the film and Jothi had
confessed that he had been in the brink of committing suicide when he
went with his friends to watch Podi Putha and discovered that his number
had not been included.
According to records Jothi's voice had failed to impress the Indian
film composer on the film.
Later when Surathalee producer Jabir A. Cader expressed the desire to
hear one of his songs to consider him for a film, Jothi almost passed
out on the offer because he did not possess enough money to launch a
record.
Fortunately veteran musician Stanley Omar came to his rescue and
helped him out with the finances. This act of goodwill made way for a
much-awaited break for young Jothi.
With Siriyame Sara becoming an instant hit the young vocalist began
to taste popularity and success. It did not take him long to top the
charts and win the name of being the best with an excellent screen
voice, a tag that he holds up-to-date.
Jothi worked under many reputed directors of the country and had
rendered his voice to all classes of actors ranging from Eddie Jayamanne,
Ananda Jayaratne, Gamini Fonseka, Vijaya Kumaratunga, Ravindra Randeniya,
Sanath Gunathilaka to the younger generation of actors like Damith
Fonseka and Lal Weerasinghe.
One of the highlights of his career is the opportunity to work with
the doyen of Sri Lankan cinema, Lester James Peries in the historical
Sandeshaya. He sang the popular number Puruthugeesikaraya to the tunes
composed by the country's reputed musician Sunil Santha and lyrics
penned by veteran lyricist Arisen Ahubudu.
He still holds the record as the playback singer who sang the most
number of songs for films, the number being 330 films. The last film
which had included a song of his was Supiri Balawatha.
Jothi married Blossom Winter, a nurse by profession, and the couple
had four daughters. Sri Lanka's undisputed playback king died on July 7,
1987 at the age of 51 years. |
