Sujatha Aththanayaka
Visharadha Dr. Sujatha Attanayake , colloquially known as Sujatha Aththanayaka , is a Sri Lankan songstress and playback singer. She is a prominent playback singer in Sinhala cinema and also in Sri Lankan and Indian Tamil cinema. She contributed for nearly 400 Sinhala films and 20 Sri Lankan-Indian Tamil Films as a playback singer. She sang more than 6000 Sinhala songs and more than 1000 songs in 9 different languages. Dr. Sujatha Attanayake considered as the golden bell of Sinhala music, she holds the record for the most number of cassettes produced by a Sri Lankan songstress with more than 115 cassettes in a career spanning more than seven decades. She is the first female music director in Sri Lanka.
Personal life
She was born on 12 May 1942 in Kelaniya as the third of the family with five siblings. Her father M.M.D. Perera was a police sergeant. Her mother Vimala Kantha was a tower hall actress and singer. She started education in 1947 from Wedamulla Maha Vidyalaya, Kelaniya. She has two sisters and two brothers. Her sister Ranjani Perera is a renowned dance teacher and younger brother Susil Perera is a popular comedian and a musician.She is married to Navaratne Aththanayaka. She met Navaratne at the State College of Music. The couple has three sons - Hely Sajeewa, Chanaka, Samin. His second son Captain Chanaka Sanjeewa died on September 25, 1992 in Pooneryn during Eelam War II. Since his death, Aththanayaka quit from singing and start to wear white sarees.
After his son's death, she left Sri Lanka for America in 1992. Due to the huge fan demand, she performed a series of successful concerts titled Jeevana Vila Meda in 2012.
Music career
In 1950, she song Malse Dileva for a feature program in SLBC. After school life at the age of 18, she studied at the State faculty of College of Aesthetic and then from State College of Music in 1960. At first she was a lecturer at the Kalutara Teachers Training College and then became the music education officer. She went India to complete a master's degree and Visharadha Exams from Lucknow College of Music in singing and playing sitar. After returning, she started to work at Radio Ceylon becoming the only female singer to perform classical music programs on Sri Lanka Radio. He retired as the Director of Aesthetic Education. In 1958 she became the first Sinhalese singer who sang a Hindi song for the program “Bal Sakha”.In 1975, she became the first Sri Lankan music director and directed music for films such as Hariyata Hari and Sanda Kinduru. Apart from music direction, Aththanayake involved as a playback singer and radio drama singer for many years started with 1956 film Sohoyuro at the age of 14. She sung several popular playback film songs such as Jeewana Vila Meda, Maligawe Ma Rajini, Onchilla Thotili, Guwan Thotille, Herde Rasa Malige, Parawunu Mal Wala and Puthune Me Ahaganna. She recorded four playback songs for four films in one day, which is a record in Sri Lanka. The first song was recorded at Kandana S. P. M. studio. The second song was done in the afternoon at Hendala Vijaya Studios. The third song was recorded at the University of Kelaniya studio and the fourth song was recorded at Lanka Studios.
She sang playback songs for nearly 400 Sinhala Films
In 1979, a special music test conducted by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation won the first place in the rankings, beating all other singers.
She is the only singer to perform in India where she sang from different languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Urdu, Telugu, Malayalam, Marati, English and Nepali. In 1980, she had the opportunity to sing the song Subha Kamina at the President's House when Nepal King Birendra and Queen Vimla arrived Sri Lanka. She was the first Sinhala singer to perform a Nepali song in the Asian Hindi Service. She also performed a Tamil one-man concert Swaram in Bambalapitiya as well as an Islam concert Ilampirai Geethangal in Maradana. She sung Tamil songs for 20 Tamil Films. She sang playback songs for indian actresses Radhika Sarathkumar, Thanuja Mukherjee & Vaijayanthimala.
Her husband was the musician in some of her popular songs including Aganthuka Kurulla, Bolan Podi Nangi Tikak Hitapan, Jeewathwana Thuru Ma, Neth Wasa and Wessata Themi Themi. Apart from singing, she is a talented Katak dancer who studied under Sirimathi Rasadari. In 1985, she represented Sri Lankan cultural delegation for the SAARC Summit. In 1992, after the death of son, he launched a cassette "Yuda Bima Kandulak" to commemorate the his son's first death anniversary.
She sang more than 6000 Sinhala songs and 1000 Tamil songs. She also involved with many popular duets including; Obe Namin ""Banda Jaya Keheli"" with Amaradeva Sandun Sihil, Adara Pujasane with Victor Rathnayake, Koho Koho Kohe Idan with Sanath Nandasiri, Bonda Meedum Kandurelle with Abeywardena Balasuriya, Chandrame Ra Paya Awa, Ghana Andakarayen Midi with H.R. Jothipala, Piruna Hada Santhane, Gangawe Neela Jale with Harun Lanthra, Madhura Yame with R. Muttusamy, Pera Athmayaka with Milton Perera and Pushpa Makarandaya'' with Narada Disasekara.
In 2016, she composed the Sri Lanka Police theme song as music director.
Concerts
In 1974 she started her first solo concert "Asi Mihira"- Asi Mihira - First Solo Concert - From 1974
- Swaram - Solo Tamil Songs Concert
- Ilampirei Geethangal - Solo Islam Songs Concert
- Gee Pooja - This concert was performed for the people displaced by the war and for the soldiers during war period.
- Sujatha Gee - This Concert was performed in foreign countries like America, France, New Zealand etc.
- Sujatha Swara Sangeet - India Nagpur
- Jeevana Vila Meda
Awards and accolades
1965 - Best Female Singer - Swarna Sankha Award
1966 - Best Female Singer - Swarna Sankha Award
1966 - Best Female Singer - Sarasaviya Award
1972 - Best Female Singer - Kumarathungu Memorial Award
Most Popular Singer - Deepashika Award
1974 - Best Female Singer - Sarasaviya Award
1974 -Most Popular Singer - Sarasaviya Award
Presidential Award
1994 - Sudheera Matha Award - Sri Lankan Army
1994 - Abhimana Award
2009 - Vidhyalankara Honorary Award
2011 - Dheemathi Award
2012 - Sri Lanka Navy Honorary Award
2012 - Maliban Honorary Award
2012 - Kalyani Prasadini Award
2013 - 'Gawrawa Prasada Sannasa' - Sri Lanka Army
2013 - Tower Hall Foundation Honorary Award
2014 - U.W. Sumathipala Memorial Award
2014 - Suwanda Padma Honorary Award
2014 - Dr.Lional Edirisinghe Memorial Award -University of the Visual and
Performing Arts
2014 - Bank of Ceylon Honorary Award
2014 - Widulipura Honorary Award
2015- Susara Pranama Award
2015 - People's Honorary Award
2016 - Sarasaviya Ranathisara Award
2016 - Youth Honorary Award
2016 - Sunil Shantha Memorial Award - State Music Awards
2016 - Sri Lanka Police Honorary Award
2017 - ADTF Honorary Award
2017 - Prathibha Pranama Award
2017 - OSCAR Pooja Pranama Award
2017 - Sujatha Attanayake Abhinandana Award
2018 - Kalabhushana Award
2019 - Weera Matha Award
2019 - Honorary Doctorate - University of the Visual and Performing Arts
In 2017, Amila Lokumannage wrote her biopic ''Sujatha Deshaye Madurathama Swaraya".
Attanayake's Book Launch ceremony entitled "Sujatha Attanayake Abhinandana" was held on November 11, 2017, at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute where she launched her biography, "Sujatha Deshaye Madhurathama Swaraya" and a Catalogue of her songs titled "Sujatha Attanayake Geethawaliya", written by Amila Lokumannage.
In 2019, Aththanayake was honored as a heroic mother who was gifted a heroic son who sacrificed his life for the country. In the same year, she was awarded honorary doctorate from University of the Visual and Performing Arts.
Filmography
Playback singing
Playback film tracks
| Year | Film | Song | Duet | Ref. |
| 1970 | Geetha | Pena Pena Ena | ||
| 1970 | Geetha | Masitha Vil Thera Chanchala We | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1970 | Suli Sulang | Kohedo Kohedo Aetha | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1971 | Kesara Sinhayo | Heeneki Jeewithe | ||
| 1972 | Sujeewa | Atha Wana Petha Sarasala | ||
| 1972 | Singapore Charlie | Wasanthaye Jeewana Liya Gomuwe | with Tony Hassan | |
| 1972 | Singapore Charlie | Aradhana Se Hamuwanna | with Nihal Jayawardena | |
| 1972 | Hithaka Pipunu Mal | Chanchala Nu Pura Kinkini | ||
| 1972 | Hithaka Pipunu Mal | Tamil song | ||
| 1972 | Hathara Wate | Sakwala Gala Mepita Upan | with Sanath Nandasiri, Narada Disasekara, K. Sena | |
| 1972 | Veeduru Gewal | Geewith Yauwana Yame | with Harun Lanthra | |
| 1972 | Veeduru Gewal | Ma Thani Vee | ||
| 1972 | Me Desa Kumatada | Ghana Andhakarayen Midi | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1973 | Matara Achchi | Sandun Sihina Sihil Arana | ||
| 1973 | Thushara | Ran Tharu Se | with Harun Lanthra | |
| 1973 | Thushara | Kawudo Me Awe | with H. R. Jothipala, Angeline Gunathilake | |
| 1973 | Gopalu Handa | Gantheere Gangawe | with Harun Lanthra | |
| 1973 | Gopalu Handa | Tharuna Sithaka Arume | ||
| 1973 | Gopalu Handa | Kaansiye Mahansiye | with R. Muttusamy | |
| 1973 | Gopalu Handa | Mandire Pem Sendelle | with Harun Lanthra | |
| 1974 | Surekha | Oba Mage Nam Mama Obe Nam | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1974 | Hadawath Naththo | Udagirin Paaya Dinapathida | ||
| 1974 | Kalyani Ganga | Puthune Me Ahaganna Puthune | ||
| 1974 | Susee | Dan Dan Awile Gini | ||
| 1974 | Susee | Pudumai Hari Pudumai | ||
| 1974 | Senakeliya | Sithuvili Yahanaka Sethapena | with Milton Mallawarachchi | |
| 1974 | Senakeliya | Bol Pini Meda | ||
| 1975 | Hitha Honda Minihek | Ma Gee Gayana Mohothakado | ||
| 1975 | Hitha Honda Minihek | Mage Ahinsaka Podi Duwe | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1975 | Aese Idiripita | Laye Miyagiya Mage Sihine | ||
| 1975 | Obai Mamai | Madara Mal Kumari | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1975 | Obai Mamai | Anuraga Otunu Peladi | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1975 | Obai Mamai | Kuludul Wanamal Malwara | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1975 | Kaliyuga Kale | Hemin Hemin Depa Thiya | ||
| 1975 | Raththaran Amma | Hada Sal Gase Ethena | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1975 | Sukiri Kella | Seedevi Gimhana Kale | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1975 | Sukiri Kella | Seedevi Geta Awe | ||
| 1975 | Sukiri Kella | Tharupathi Wata Tharu Keta | ||
| 1975 | Kohoma Kiyannada | Nawa Sanda Pun Sanda Wei | with Milton Perera | |
| 1975 | Kohoma Kiyannada | Mediyam Ra Diyaweddi | ||
| 1975 | Kohoma Kiyannada | Neth Basin Kee Hangum | ||
| 1975 | Cyril Malli | Pegena Apa Hata Athwel | ||
| 1976 | Harima Badu Thunak | Muwe Mee Nura Ken | ||
| 1976 | Duhulu Malak | Bonda Meedum Kandurelle | ||
| 1976 | Loka Horu | Randola Gebaki | with Milton Perera | |
| 1976 | Haratha Hathara | Atha Bhawaye Rama Seetha | with Victor Rathnayake | |
| 1976 | Haratha Hathara | Johana Kenadi | with Freddy Silva | |
| 1976 | Asha | Athura Supem Kekulu | with Victor Rathnayake | |
| 1976 | Hariyata Hari | Methek Helu Duk Kanduleli | ||
| 1976 | Mangala | Selena Hadawathe | ||
| 1976 | Mangala | Kuludul Adare Rahasa Denuna | with Milton Mallawarachchi | |
| 1977 | Neela | Sondure Hadamal Hee Wedila | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1977 | Neela | Aradhana Sansaraye | ||
| 1977 | Sakunthala | Athmayen Athmayata | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1977 | Sakunthala | Herde Rasa Malige | ||
| 1977 | Sakunthala | Adara Lowe Asiri | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1977 | Sakunthala | Seethala Rate Meeduma Wete | ||
| 1977 | Sakunthala | Seethala Pawe Mal Samaye | with Victor Rathnayake | |
| 1977 | Sudu Paraviyo | Visithuru Sihina Lowe | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1977 | Deviyani Oba Kohida | Adara Poojasane | with Victor Rathnayake | |
| 1977 | Yali Ipade | Sansare Vindi Sahane | with Milton Perera | |
| 1977 | Yali Ipade | Puruwe Athmayaka Bedi | ||
| 1977 | Aege Adara Kathawa | Oba Mage Neth Deka Wage | with H. R. Jothipala, Siri Perera | |
| 1977 | Aege Adara Kathawa | Oba Mage Neth Deka Wage | ||
| 1977 | Tom Pachaya | Hade Prema Asha | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1977 | Tom Pachaya | Nona Kageda Kage | with Milton Perera, Angeline Gunathilake, Freddy Silva | |
| 1977 | Niwena Ginna | Chanchala Desaka Wasana | with Victor Rathnayake | |
| 1977 | Niwena Ginna | Hadak Soyan Yamin Gaman | with Victor Rathnayake | |
| 1977 | Yakadaya | Sithu De Pathu De Ituwi Yay | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1977 | Yakadaya | Asha Reli Dese Weli | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1978 | Chandi Shyama | Karumeki Upanne Lowe | ||
| 1978 | Chandi Shyama | Ho Enu Mena Lanvila | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1978 | Mage Ran Putha | Sanda Paaya | with Sisira Senaratne | |
| 1978 | Deepanjali | Sanda Paane Madahase | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1978 | Apeksha | Sonduru Lowata Mal Wehela | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1978 | Kumara Kumariyo | Neela Desa Thavuthisawe | with Milton Mallawarachchi | |
| 1978 | Kumara Kumariyo | Supem Sendelle | with H. R. Jothipala, Milton Mallawarachchi, Angeline Gunathilake | |
| 1979 | Minisun Athara Minisek | Ma Pethum Pirena Vilase | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1979 | Minisun Athara Minisek | Mage Mathake Obe Ruwa Aede | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1979 | Palagetiyo | Mal Pipunata Lowa | with Victor Rathnayake | |
| 1979 | Anusha | Saman Sugande Wimasanna | with H. R. Jothipala, Indrani Perera | |
| 1979 | Anusha | Kumareki Inne Kumariye | with Roy de Silva | |
| 1979 | Subhani | Neela Nayana Sele | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1980 | Kanchana | Jeewana Hada Ambare | with Milton Mallawarachchi | |
| 1980 | Silva | Piyum Vile Pini Kandule | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1980 | Sasaraka Pathum | Sasara Thurulle | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1980 | Mage Amma | Natala Gayala Weda Keruwa | with Harun Lanthra | |
| 1980 | Hondin Inna | Balaporoththuwe Sihina Malu | ||
| 1980 | Hondin Inna | Diwa Re Deke | with Harun Lanthra | |
| 1980 | Miyurige Kathawa | Sudo Mama Adarei | ||
| 1981 | Ajasaththa | Magadha Desha Bimbisara | ||
| 1981 | Ek Dawasak Ra | Edath Mage Adath Mage | ||
| 1981 | Senasuma | Adaraye Mal Pipila | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1981 | Senasuma | Podi Puthu Randa | ||
| 1982 | Sandaa | Vile Mukulu Vila Mathupita | ||
| 1982 | Re Manamali | Muthulelle Me Ahunado | ||
| 1982 | Pradeepa | Malsara Hee Dahare | with Asoka Ponnamperuma | |
| 1982 | Pradeepa | Ambiliya Gena | ||
| 1982 | Situ Diyaniyo | Paabedi Noopura Minigigiri | ||
| 1982 | Mihidum Sihina | Seetha Hima Relle | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1982 | Miss Mallika | Ai Oba Mata Metharam | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1982 | Kadawunu Poronduwa | Is Issara Wela | with Eddie Jayamanne | |
| 1983 | Chandira | Man Romeo | with Gratien Ananda, Gunadasa Kapuge, Indra Liyanage | |
| 1984 | Kokila | Aloke Jeewithe | ||
| 1984 | Kokila | Mage Jeewithe Mage Adare | with H. R. Jothipala, Harun Lanthra | |
| 1984 | Kokila | Aho Kimado Mese Une | ||
| 1984 | Namal Renu | Kuludul Noyidul Senehasa | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1985 | Adarayaka Mahima | Pipunu Mala Wage Suwadai | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1985 | Adarayaka Mahima | Gimhana Yamaye | ||
| 1985 | Adarayaka Mahima | Hadaka Mahima Dehadak Ekvila | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1986 | Mal Warusa | Mal Wesse Themi Themi | with H. R. Jothipala | |
| 1989 | Okkoma Rajawaru | Madhura Prema Nimnaye | with Gratien Ananda | |
| 1989 | Shakthiya Obai Amme | Akasa Nadee There | with Tony Hassan | |
| 1989 | Shakthiya Obai Amme | Podi Puthu Ipadunu Dine | with Tony Hassan, Uresha Ravihari | |
| 1990 | Veera Udara | Wasanawa Pedi | ||
| 1990 | Veera Udara | Nisha Yame Hima Wala Theere | with Gratien Ananda | |
| 1990 | Veera Udara | Kurullaneni Kirilli Kohe | with Gratien Ananda, Maya Damayanthi, Victor Vijayantha |