Lionel Ranwala
Encyclopedia
Lionel Ranwala was a prominent Sri Lanka
n musician
.
Ranwala's main interest was Sinhala
folk music
of Sri Lankan. He successfully brought Sinhala folk tunes and melodies to popular Sri Lankan music, preserving their originality.He studied music at the Panjab University, Chandigarh
, India
and has a sour knowledge of the field.
Ranwala, who created a revolution in the local folk music scene along with his mentor W.D. Makuloluwa, started his teaching career at Arawwala MMV in 1959.He taught music at several leading schools including Ananda College
, and Royal College, Colombo during a 38-year career. He popularised local music in schools and formed the first 'Hevisi' band in a school - at Pannipitiya Dharmapala Vidyalaya in 1964.
Ranwala was also a versatile actor and dramatist. One of his most memorable roles was in the first Sinhala opera 'Depano' directed by Makuloluwa. He also wrote and directed several children's dramas. He acted in several teledramas.His last teledrama was "Rangamadala Samugani" which was telecasted in Swarnawahini.
He travelled all over the island collecting folk songs for posterity. A staunch defender of indigenous music, he released several cassettes containing experimental folk music, notably 'Ahase Innavalu' in 1999. He formed the 'Thaalama Foundation' for preserving folk music. "Gama Ahulaggang",
"May Awurudu kale" and "Wannam Sawudam" are some of his most famous songs.
He has two sons, Chirantha and Sahan. The elder, Chirantha is a presenter
and producer
at Swarnavahini
.Sahan is also working at the Swarnawahini, but after his father's sudden death, has now taken the initiative to preserve and make people aware of Sinhala Folk Music, in the same way his father did.
Ranwala died, following a sudden accident at the age of 63, in 2002 at Thalawathugoda
. His wife too faced the accident and was seriously injured.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
n musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
.
Ranwala's main interest was Sinhala
Sinhalese people
The Sinhalese are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group,forming the majority of Sri Lanka,constituting 74% of the Sri Lankan population.They number approximately 15 million worldwide.The Sinhalese identity is based on language, heritage and religion. The Sinhalese speak Sinhala, an Indo-Aryan language and the...
folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
of Sri Lankan. He successfully brought Sinhala folk tunes and melodies to popular Sri Lankan music, preserving their originality.He studied music at the Panjab University, Chandigarh
Chandigarh
Chandigarh is a union territory of India that serves as the capital of two states, Haryana and Punjab. The name Chandigarh translates as "The Fort of Chandi". The name is from an ancient temple called Chandi Mandir, devoted to the Hindu goddess Chandi, in the city...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and has a sour knowledge of the field.
Ranwala, who created a revolution in the local folk music scene along with his mentor W.D. Makuloluwa, started his teaching career at Arawwala MMV in 1959.He taught music at several leading schools including Ananda College
Ananda College
Ananda College , Colombo which is considered as the leading National school in Sri Lanka, was established on November 1, 1886, by the Buddhist Theosophical Society led by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott...
, and Royal College, Colombo during a 38-year career. He popularised local music in schools and formed the first 'Hevisi' band in a school - at Pannipitiya Dharmapala Vidyalaya in 1964.
Ranwala was also a versatile actor and dramatist. One of his most memorable roles was in the first Sinhala opera 'Depano' directed by Makuloluwa. He also wrote and directed several children's dramas. He acted in several teledramas.His last teledrama was "Rangamadala Samugani" which was telecasted in Swarnawahini.
He travelled all over the island collecting folk songs for posterity. A staunch defender of indigenous music, he released several cassettes containing experimental folk music, notably 'Ahase Innavalu' in 1999. He formed the 'Thaalama Foundation' for preserving folk music. "Gama Ahulaggang",
"May Awurudu kale" and "Wannam Sawudam" are some of his most famous songs.
He has two sons, Chirantha and Sahan. The elder, Chirantha is a presenter
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
and producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
at Swarnavahini
Swarnavahini
Swarnavahini, which means "Golden Channel" in Sinhala is a leading Sri Lankan news and entertainment television channel. Its main theme is "Sri Lankeeya Abhimanaya" which means "Sri Lankan Pride." It was launched on the 16th of March 1997, alongside its sister channel ETV, which mainly broadcasts...
.Sahan is also working at the Swarnawahini, but after his father's sudden death, has now taken the initiative to preserve and make people aware of Sinhala Folk Music, in the same way his father did.
Ranwala died, following a sudden accident at the age of 63, in 2002 at Thalawathugoda
Thalawathugoda
Thalawathugoda is a suburb of Colombo. It is located approximately sixteen kilometres from the city of Colombo, adjacent to Battaramulla and Pelawatte on the Borella-Kottawa main road, bordering Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte . The Diyawanna Oya forms the "Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte" side boundary of...
. His wife too faced the accident and was seriously injured.