Prince Udaya Priyantha
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Prince Udaya Priyantha | |
|---|---|
| ප්රින්ස් උදය ප්රියන්ත | |
| Born | 13 June 1970 |
| Died | 8 June 2017 (aged 46) Nawaloka Hospital, Colombo |
| Education | Elpitiya Ananda Maha Vidyalaya |
| Alma mater | Belwood Music Academy |
| Occupations | singer, songwriter, musician |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals, violin, keyboard |
| Years active | 1991–2017 |
Prince Udaya Priyantha (Sinhala: ප්රින්ස් උදය ප්රියන්ත; 13 June 1970 – 8 June 2017) was a Sri Lankan singer, composer and songwriter.[1][2]
Born in the rural village of Siripura, Nawadagala in Galle, Prince started his music career as a keyboard player in the early 1990s, with his inborn abilities. His father Eaton Fernando, was a former violinist in Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, and also a former principal and a music teacher.[3] His mother Rosalyn Palliyaguruge was also principal, who died in 2014 in a Dubai Hospital.[4] Prince has one sister, Shiromi Priyangika, who cared for Prince until his death.
He stated that, though he has not married, he had a relationship with fellow female singer Nirosha Virajini, which did not extend up to the marriage, however.[5]
Singing career
Prince completed his education from Elpitiya Ananda Maha Vidyalaya and showcased his musical abilities at the time of school. His first music teacher was Nihal Gamhewa, but the classes were interrupted due to 1987–89 JVP insurrections. In 1990, Prince attended the Belwood Music Academy of National Youth Services Council and worked as a violinist, under Gamhewa. He completed Bellwood Diploma after three years along with fellow musicians such as Chandana Liyanaarachchi, and Jayasiri Amarasekara. With the completion, he asked his music teacher to write some songs for him. With that, Gamhewa wrote four songs for him, which included Pemwathun Sinase, Werala Konaka Hida, Adare Nam Ai, Sanda Kumariyak. These four songs were highlighted due to the usage of musical instrument Octapad for the first time in Sri Lankan music industry.[3]
He popularized as a singer in 1992 with the song Sanda Kumariyak Digeka Yanawa and made his mark in open stages and television music industry.[6] Some of his most popular songs include Sigiriye Kurutu Geetha, Oba Hamuwu Dine, Sudu Mal Pokurak, Sadarenu Wahena and Samudenna Samuganna Nam.[7]
