Jun 18 2012.
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In a tuneful career spanning more than five decades, Angeline Gunathilaka has reached the top bracket with her melodious voice. Impulse spoke to her at her residence recently, to find out her latest achievements. She says her voice is not heard in films today, due to cost factors by film productions.
“My voice has never grown old. It is the same youthful voice. But filmmakers are not willing to pay my fee due to cost cutting efforts. So, I have to wait till the right time comes. I am not going to change my stance and sing for peanuts,” she says.
“I am not against newcomers in the scene today but I am against anyone singing my songs. They not only sing our popular songs but also argue about their rights to do so. It is tragic that some lyricists and melody makers have sold rights of songs to newcomers simply for the sake of money. This is daylight robbery. I think the President should intervene and bring in laws to arrest this trend,” she said.
How did you start your singing career?
I was about 8 or 9 years when my elder sister Rosy enrolled me to sing in a Radio Ceylon amateur programme which earned me the second place. Siri Sarath Kumara realized my potential and offered me Radio Ceylon programmes while Karunaratne Abeysekara opened the 'Lama Pitiya doors to me'. My first song was 'Thama Aththatu Seethale – Kawudo Ane Me De Kale'.
Your film playback career...?
I took part in a singing contest organized by Radio Ceylon. Maurice Dahanayake and Henry Perera were also among the competitors. Film producer S. M. Nayagam and music director R. Muthuswamy were on the panel. Henry won the first place and I became the second and that paved the way for me to sing in 'Sohoyuro' and thereafter in hundreds of other movies. The recordings were done live then. I must have sung thousands of songs. The songs that we sang in the past are popular even today. I am an artiste who likes to live with dignity. That is why I am not seen in each and every programme. I want artistes to be treated in a dignified manner.
Any new albums down the pipeline?
Yes I did Sithum Pathum 1 and 2 which had songs sung with Jothi. I re-recorded them as solos. I am also planning Sithum Pathum 3 soon.
The song you treasure most?
Now, it's 'Rusith Putha' which was penned by Dharmasiri Gamage. I have sung songs for all my grandchildren. Among the thousands I sang, these songs will always be my favourites.
Your ultimate dream?
Asking God to give me enough strength to help the needy people of this country.
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Profile Name: Angeline de Lanerolle (Now Gunathilaka) Born: Dec. 23 Schools: St. Mary’s Convent, Matara and St. Thomas’ College, Kotte Studied music under: Sunil Santha First film (Playback): Sohoyuro Family: Lesley Gunathilaka (Husband), Milani and Dilshani (Daughters) |
By Vasantha Wimalasinghe
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Dr. Lambert. Abeyatunge says:
Feb 07, 2014 at 12:00 amWhen. Angeline (de lanerolle) was starting her carrier with her introduction to. Kahunaratne. Abeyasekera's. Lama. Pitiya, I also appeared in the same programmer with. Her and pad mini. Dahanayake. I played the flute and. KA use to introduce me as ". Lambert. Mallige. Bata. Malay. Wadanaya ". I wonder if. Angeline will recollect!! I would love to contact her. I live in. Las. Vegas and my contact number is. 702-595-1932. Thanks Lambert. Abeyatunge. MD