Wasantha Sandanayake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
18 October 1917
Wasantha Sandanayake | |
|---|---|
| වසන්තා සන්දනායක | |
| Born | Mudunkotuwa Munasinghe Arachchige Leelawathi Perera 18 October 1917 Balapitiya, Sri Lanka |
| Died | 24 November 2000 (aged 83) |
| Education | Kegalu Balika Vidyalaya |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, playback singer |
| Spouse | Don Dharmapala Sandanayake |
| Children | Don Sarath Sandanayake, Srimathi Sandanayake, Daya Hemantha Abeysekara, Don Sisira Sandanayake, Sujatha Sandanayake, Don Gamini Sandanayake |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | Shanthi Abeysekera (son-in-law) Supriya Abeysekera (niece) Sadhana Abeysekera (niece) Wimala Kantha (sister-in-law) Sujatha Aththanayaka (cousin daughter) Ranjani Perera (cousin daughter) Susil Perera (cousin son) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1937–1992 |
| Labels |
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Mudunkotuwa Munasinghe Arachchige Leelawathi Perera (Sinhala: වසන්තා සන්දනායක; 18 October 1917 – 24 November 2000), popularly known by her stage name Wasantha Sandanayake, was a Sri Lankan singer, primarily worked as a playback singer in Sinhala film industry.[1] She is often described as a symbol of the Buddhist song tradition in Sri Lanka.[2]
She was born on 18 October 1917 in Randombe, Balapitiya as the second child in a family with seven siblings. Her father was Arnolis Perera from Uthuwankande, Kegalle and mother was Nilenthige Nani Nona. She had to move with his family due to the busy schedule of her father. Therefore, she educated from several schools such as Kegalu Balika Vidyalaya, Urapola Madya Maha Vidyalaya and Kollupitiya Jinaraja Vidyalaya.[3]
She has one elder brother Dharmadasa, two younger sisters; Kamala, Chandrawathi, and two younger brothers; Srimath and Dharmadasa.[3] Elder brother Dharmadasa was married to popular Tower Hall actress Wimala Kantha.[4] They have five children, including popular singer Sujatha Aththanayaka, a renowned dance teacher, Ranjani Perera and a popular comedian and musician, Susil Perera.[5] Chandraravathi was married to a station master at Nawalapitiya.[6]
Wasantha was married to Don Dharmapala Sandanayake, who was a police constable. They were married on 10 November 1937.[3] The couple had one son, Sarath and one daughter, Daya Hemantha. Sarath started education from St. Mary's College, Nawalapitiya and later to Mahabodhi Vidyalaya, Maradana. The daughter, Daya Hemantha was married to renowned artist Shanthi Abeysekera.[7] The couple had two daughters, Supriya and Sadhana, both are popular singers.[8][9] Sadhana is married to Nanditha Ranatunga, the son of veteran artists Dayarathna Ranatunga and Amara Ranatunga.[10] Sarath is married to Karunawathi Perera and the couple has one son; Thushara Sanjaya.[6]
