Ajantha Ranasinghe

Senanayake Mudianselage Ranasinghe Arachchilage Ajantha Sarath Kumara Ranasinghe (30 May 1940 – 27 February 2016), popularly as Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe, was a Sri Lankan journalist, lyricist, poet, and novelist. Considered one of the most iconic and prolific lyricists in the country, over the course of a 40 year career he contributed to nearly 60 films and more than 400 songs.

Personal life
Ajantha Ranasinghe was born on 30 May 1940 in Thalammahara, a small village in the Kurunegala district as the second of the family with five siblings. His father was a doctor and mother was a teacher as well as a postmaster. He had one elder sister, two younger sisters and a younger brother. After obtaining his primary education at the Pannala Government School, he moved to Colombo and resumed his studies at St. John's College, Nugegoda. He left after completing the GCE Ordinary Level Exams.

Ranasinghe was married to Sarojini Weeratunge, the daughter of late singer Kokiladevi Weeratunga. The couple had two children: Saranga and Devalochana.

Journalist career
Ranasinghe's uncle Asoka Pieris was a well known dramatist, and he came under his influence and through that got to showcase his talent over the airwaves. At a very young age, Ranasinghe wrote Buddhist songs to the Lama Mandapaya, a program on Radio Ceylon hosted by Karunaratne Abeysekera. He participated in another program, Radio Magazine, organised by the filmmaker K. A. W. Perera. His first published work, Thivanka Rekha, a poetry collection, came out in 1964.

He wrote poetry and short stories for the children's pages of Silumina and Peramuna. His poetry was frequently published in Silumina, Vanitha Viththi, and Lankadeepa. Eventually he was selected as a staff reporter at Dinamina. He would graduate from and to the posts of Sub Editor, Local News Editor, Additional Chief Sub Editor, Chief Sub Editor, Features Editor, and Chief Editor of Navayugaya.

Career as a lyricist
After three decades in journalism, Ranasinghe began writing lyrics for popular singers. His verses became highly popular among the public. Award after award followed, from the Sarasaviya, OCIC, State Literary, Raigam, Sumathi, and Kumaratunga Munidasa ceremonies. In addition to being a lyricist, Ranasinghe was also a B Grade Radio Ceylon singer.

Landmarks

 * Awarded a doctorate degree by the International Open University, New Delhi in 1995.
 * 25 years as an Editor at Lake House
 * Provincial News Editor and Local News Editor at Dinamina
 * Features Editor of Janatha
 * Editor in Chief of Nawayugaya
 * Consultant at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC)
 * President's Award for Best Song Writer of the Year on three occasions
 * Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism Awards for Excellence Programme, organised by the Editor's Guild of Sri Lanka – 2014
 * A song festival Ajantha Geethavalokana was held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute at Independent Square on 9 May 2002
 * A collection of his songs released in 2002 in a new cassette and CD titled Kalpana Vijithaya
 * A second CD collection released in 2013 titled Ran Kenden

Death
Ranasinghe died at the Colombo National Hospital on 27 February 2016 after a minor accident right opposite his house three days earlier. His remains were kept at No. 11/4, Ranasinghe Mawatha, Hiripitiya, Pannipitiya at his son's residence. The funeral was held on 29 February 2016 at the Borella Cemetery.

Author work

 * Landuni Mata Varam Natha (1975)
 * Vinkal Bass (1978)
 * Kristhuni Karunakara Manawa (1995)
 * Sihina Kumara Saha Othamo (2009)
 * Thunpath Rata
 * Thiwanka Rekha
 * Janakanthayinge Manakantha Katha

Filmography
Dr. Ranasinghe contributed over 300 lyrics to Sinhala films since 1976 with his debut, Wasana.

Notable lyrics
Ajantha Ranasinghe wrote more than 400 lyrics for singers across several generations.


 * Adara Samarum Ketiwu
 * Adaraneeya Wasanthe
 * Api Ayeth Hamu
 * Asha Nirasha Mawu
 * ''Bodhiye Viharaye'
 * Bol Vee Ahuru
 * Bonda Meedum Kadurelle
 * Budun Methun Lowa Uththama
 * Daesama Riddana
 * Dawasak Thiyewi
 * Degoda Thala Ganga Gala
 * Dineka Mathuda
 * Duhul Meedume Sihil Maruthe
 * Duras Wannata Me Lesin
 * Duwa Maa Wage
 * Game Kopi Kade
 * Ganga Jale
 * Gela Wata Banda Wu
 * Hanga Gallene
 * Hindi Vadan
 * Hiru Nonegeewa
 * Igillila Yanna Yan
 * Indunil Gangulal
 * Irata Udin Sakwalata Udin
 * Ira Udin
 * Ira Wata Yana Girawun
 * Ithin Ane
 * Kalpana Lowa Mal Wane
 * Kanden Eha
 * Keena Dam Mitak
 * Kiri Kawadi Sina
 * Kiri Sudu Sele
 * Koho Koho Kohe Idan
 * Kurullo Nube Thalen
 * Mage Dinapothehi
 * Mage Kadulin Nimawu
 * Mage Lowata Oba
 * Malanika Mathakayen
 * Mal Parawena Loke
 * Mal Pokuru Pokuru
 * Mala Giraa Gela
 * Mangala Mal Dama
 * Mata Mani Wage
 * Mata Wasana
 * Me Ayurin Api
 * Me Mai Gaha Yata
 * Me Pasal Meda Midulai
 * Me Seetha Nille
 * Midule Athana Nango
 * Muthumenike Ude Rayin
 * Ninda Nena Rathriye
 * Niranjala Katado
 * Nirwana Swarna Dwarayen
 * Paalu Susaane
 * Paloswaka Sanda Payanu
 * Parami Dam Puramu
 * Pata Podak Thilakala
 * Pem Rajadahane
 * Pemathura Hengum
 * Pokuru Pokuru Mal Senakili
 * Punchi Dawas Wala
 * Ra Dolos Paye
 * Ra Duru Rata Me
 * Ra Pal Rakina
 * Ra Vee La Ai Me Ude
 * Rali Palama Sudu Patata
 * Rallen Rallata Pawena Oruwe
 * Rana Hansa Yuwala
 * Ran Kenden Beda
 * Raththaran Pem Purane
 * Ruwan Wala Wimane
 * Salalihiniyo
 * Sanda Sangi (Praveena teledrama song)
 * Sath Ruwan Wassa
 * Seegiri Landune
 * Sihala Kalakaruwaneni
 * Sihina Nelum Mal
 * Sili Sili Seethala Alle
 * Siri Bo Meda
 * Sithata Danena Me Lathawul
 * Sudu Sesathak Wan
 * Suwanda Dani Danenawa
 * Suwanda Dena Malwane
 * Tharu Arundati
 * Ukulata Nawath
 * Veedi Kone Mawatha Addara
 * Wala Theerayen Eha
 * Wanka Giriya
 * Werale Muhuru Walle
 * Villuda Punchi Depa
 * Yaluwe Sithin Hadannepa
 * Yadha Bime Awi