The 25th death anniversary of inimitable, legendary singer H. R. Jothipala falls on July 7.

The Kala Lanka Foundation headed by Minister Mervyn Silva is organizing ‘Jothi Rathriya’ on July 7 at the Nelum Pokuna Performing Arts Theatre on a grand scale.

Minister Mervyn Silva told Impulse that singers like Jothipala with whom he had associated from his youth, was a rare personality who cannot be replaced.

“Above all Jothi was a good human being.  This tribute show on Saturday will have popular celebrities singing evergreen Jothi numbers. The Army band headed by Capt. Jayaratne will provide the music orchestration. I can’t organise such a mammoth event on my own. I have a dedicated team including Colombo Municipal Councillor Saman Abeygunaratne, Upasena Subasinghe who is better known as Kopi Kade Pala and Nimal de Silva. Holding an event at Nelum Pokuna would only be a dream if not for generous friends who came forward to support us,” said Minister Silva.

 

 

“I sang Jothi and Milton’s songs at functions during my younger days. My mother was the one who pushed me to sing from my childhood. After we became friends, Jothi always cherished my company and so did I. he was a massive star but he used to find time to visit our place and spend a couple of days. He was such a humble man. I like all his songs but for some reason I sang ‘Paya Ai Hinehenne’ and ‘Punchi Doni Tharaha Wela’ at my election campaigns too. Compared to today’s songs, we realize the preciousness of Joithi’s songs. But some electronic media personnel are trying to promote other newcomers who sing Jothi’s original songs. We should put a stop to it right now,” he said gratefully reminding that it was former Kala Lanka Chief T. M. Sangadasa who held this tribute show continuously until his demise.

The organizing committee comprising Saman Abeygunaratne, Pala and Nimal de Silva also expressed their passion towards Jothi’s songs and said since Jothi belonged to all the people of this country, it was the duty of all the people to protect Jothi’s songs.

 

 

Hettiarachchige Reginald Jothipala was the most prolific playback singer in the Sinhala cinema and many believe that its golden era in the seventies was also due to the exceptional screen voice of Jothi who sang for actors ranging from Eddie Jayamanne, Ananda Jayaratne, Gamini Fonseka, Vijaya Kumaratunga, Sanath Gunathilaka, Ravindra Randeniya and several others, to the young generation stars. He made his debut as a playback singer in Cyril P. Abeyratne’s Surathalee singing ‘Siriyame Sara’. He sang in hundreds of films including popular hits like Kasthuri Suwanda, Thushara, Sweeep Ticket, Hitha Honda Minihek, Kawuda Raja, Hondata Hondai, Wasana, Sangeetha, Hathara Denama Soorayo and others. The award-winning singer also played some memorable roles in films including Ethulweema Thahanam, Sulalitha Sobani, Sujeewa, Sukiri Kella, Abirahasa, Bonikka, Shanthi and his own production Sumithuro.

 

By Ramesh Uvais

Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana