Angeline Gunathilake

Angelina Rachel de Lanerolle (Sinhala: ඇන්ජලීන් ගුණතිලක; 23 December 1939 – 29 March 2019), popularly known as Angeline Gunathilake or Anjalin Gunathilaka, was a Sri Lankan singer, primarily working as a playback singer in Sinhala film industry. Considered the Silver bell of Sinhala cinema, Gunathilaka worked on over 5000 playback songs in a musical career that spanned nearly six decades.[1] She is as an A-grade singer graduated from Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

Angeline Gunathilaka
ඇන්ජලීන් ගුණතිලක
Birth nameAngelina Rachel de Lanerolle
Born(1939-12-23)23 December 1939
Matara
Died29 March 2019(2019-03-29) (aged 79)
National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo
GenresPop, Sole Blues, Classical
Occupation(s)Vocalist, Playback singer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1958–2017
LabelsHMV, Evoke Music, Torana

She died at the age of 79 while receiving treatment at National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo.

Personal life

Angeline Gunathilaka was born on 23 December 1939 in Matara district, the seventh of ten siblings.[2] She went to St. Mary's Convent Matara for primary education.[1] Her father worked at the Department of Railways. Due to her father's employers transferring him, the family moved to Colombo at the age of 8. She then attended St. Thomas' College, Kotte for secondary education.

She married Leslie Gunathilaka on 29 March 1966.[3] The couple has 2 daughters. Her grandson, Imal Jude Malwattege, pursued a career in music.

Singing career

At the age of 8, Anjaline joined the Radio Ceylon amateur programme, and secured the second place in a musical talent show. After that, she studied music under maestro Sunil Santha.[1] At the age of 13, she was selected for the Lamapitiya programme conducted by veteran lyricist and broadcaster Karunaratne Abeysekera.[4]

Anjaline started her singing career with the solo song Adara Ambare.[5] While she performed on the Lamapitiya program, she attended a singing competition called Tharu Thenuma organized by Sri Murugan New Art Films. She won the competition and was selected for first playback singing. Her debut as a playback singer came with the film Sohoyuro screened in 1958.[4] In the same year, she sang the first duet of her career with Sunil Artigla. She then collaborated with Morris Dahanayake, R. Sivananda and V. Vardaraja for duets. Aside from singing, she studied dance under the maestro Panibharatha.[6]

She rose to prominence within a small period of time, where she met P.L.A Somapala. He invited Gunathilaka to record songs under HMV label. She recorded songs with Chitral Somapala and Mohideen Baig for the 2500th Buddha Jayanthi commemoration. Along with Buddhist songs, she worked on many Christmas songs, which she sang together with C.T. Fernando under the influence of Marcelline Jayakody. She continued to gain popularity in the Sri Lankan music industry, where she started to play duets with Wally Bastian. She also sang virindu songs for the film Deyyange Rate.[6]

From 1958 to 1999, Gunathilaka performed as a singer on behalf of many actresses including Anoja Weerasinghe, Malani Fonseka, Sabeetha Perera, Sangeetha Weeraratne, Dilhani Ekanayake and many more. Owing to this vast range of vocal performances, she holds the record for the highest number of playback singing performances by a female singer in Sinhala cinema. Gunathilaka gained widespread popularity for a duet with H.R. Jothipala. The two contributed to a vast number of films across many genres.[6] On 9 August 2009, she performed a musical show Angeline Rocks with The Boys at 6.30 pm at the BMICH.[7]

On 23 August 2014, she performed a live concert at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall.[8][9]

Illness and death

On 29 March 2019, Gunathilaka died while receiving treatment at the National Hospital, Colombo. Her final rites was held at the General Cemetery Borella on Tuesday, April 2 at 4 p.m.[10]

Playback singing filmography

Angeline Gunathilaka worked on over 200 Sinhala films across six decades.

YearFilm
1958Sohoyuro
1958Deiyyange Rate
1958Daskama
1959Gehenu Geta
1961Suvineetha Laalani
1962Sansare
1962Suhada Divi Piduma
1963Wena Swargayak Kumatada
1963Deepashika
1964Sobana Sitha
1965Sweep Ticket
1966Senasuma Kothanada
1966Athulweema Thahanam
1966Kinkini Paada
1966Seyawak Pasupasa
1966Sudu Duwa
1966Sanda Nega Eddi
1967Hathara Kendare
1967Ran Rasa
1969Hari Maga
1969Hathara Peraliya
1969Surayangeth Sooraya
1969Prawesamwanna
1969Pancha
1988Dan Mathakada
1970Geetha
1970Ohoma Hondada
1970Suli Sulang
1971Poojithayo
1971Ran Onchilla [11]
1971Kathuru Muwath
1971Hathara Denama Soorayo
1971Abirahasa
1972Adare Hithenawa Dekkama
1972Edath Sooraya Adath Sooraya
1972Sujeewa [12]
1972Ada Mehemai
1972Lokuma Hinawa
1972Ihatha Aathmaya
1973Suhada Pethuma
1973Thushara
1973Hondama Welawa
1973Sinawai Inawai
1973Sunethra
1973Hondai Narakai
1973Daahakin Ekek
1973Hondata Hondai
1974Duleeka
1974Kasthuri Suwanda
1974Sheela
1974Surekha
1974Hadawath Naththo
1974Kalyani Ganga
1974Shanthi
1974Onna Babo Billo Enawa
1974Susee
1974Duppathage Hithawatha
1974Lasandaa
1974Sahayata Danny
1974Mehema Harida
1974Wasthuwa
1975Hitha Honda Minihek
1975Obai Mamai
1975Kaliyuga Kale
1975Raththaran Amma
1975Awa Soya Adare
1975Sookiri Kella
1975Siril Malli
1975Mage Nangi Shyama
1975Lassana Kella
1975Kokilayo
1975Gijulihiniyo
1975Sooraya Soorayamai
1975Ranwan Rekha
1975Damayanthi
1975Lassana Dawasak
1975Sadhanaa
1975Hadawathaka Wasanthaya
1975Sangeetha
1976Pradeepe Maa Wewa
1976Kawuda Raja
1976Waasana
1976Gangaa
1976Waanarayo
1976Aasha
1976Unnath Dahai Malath Dahai
1976Onna Maame Kella Panapi
1976Nilla Soya
1976Adarei Man Adarei
1976Nedeyo
1976Ran Thilakaa
1977Neelaa
1977Sudu Paraviyo
1977Hithuwakkarayo
1977Hariyanakota Ohoma Thama
1977Hithuwoth Hithuwamai
1977Nilukaa
1977Pembara Madhu
1977Chin Chin Nona
1977Hitha Honda
1977Sajaa
1977Chandi Putha [13]
1977Aege Adara Kathawa
1977Maruwa Samaga Waase
1977Tom Pachaya
1977Niwena Ginna
1978Sithaka Suwanda
1978Vishmaya
1978Madhuwanthi
1978Shri Pathula
1978Aasha Desin
1978Kundala Keshi
1978Tikira
1978Sally
1978Durga
1978Apsara
1978Deepanjali
1978Apeksha
1978Kumara Kumariyo
1979Samanmali
1979Geheniyak
1979Jeewana Kandulu
1979Hingana Kolla
1979Ran Kurullo
1979Monara Thenna
1979Eka Hitha
1979Rosa Mal Thunak
1979Akke Mata Awasara
1979Sawudan Sema
1979Subhani
1979Visihathara Peya
1980Mal Kekulu
1980Tak Tik Tuk
1980Seetha
1980Doctor Susantha
1980Raja Dawasak
1980Sankhapaali
1980Sabeetha
1981Mihidum Sihina
1981Ranga
1981Eka Dawasak Rae
1981Geethika
1981Jeewanthi
1981Bangali Walalu
1982Thana Girawu
1982Sudu Ayya
1982Pethi Gomara
1982Sanasanna Maa
1982Sitharaa
1982Thakkita Tharikita
1982Newatha Hamuwemu
1982Miss Mallika
1982Ran Mini Muthu
1983Sandamali
1983Sumithuro
1983Menik Maliga
1983Loku Thaththa
1983Mal Madhu
1983Hithath Hondai Wedath Hondai
1984Hitha Honda Kollek
1984Bambara Patikki
1984Namal Renu
1984Hadawathaka Wedana
1984Birinda
1984Jaya Sikurui
1985Raththaran Kanda
1985Channai Kello Dennai
1985Rosy
1985Kirimaduwel
1986Mal Warusa
1986Prarthana
1986Peralikarayo
1986Gimhane Gee Naade
1986Jaya Apatai
1986Dinuma
1987Yugayen Yugayata
1988Yukthiyada Shakthiyada
1988Raja Wedakarayo
1988Obatai Priye Adare
1988Rasa Rahasak
1988Chandingeth Chandiya
1988Amme Oba Nisa
1988Newa Gilunath Ban Chun
1988Satana
1989Mamai Raja
1989Nommara 17
1989Shakthiya Obai Amme
1989Waradata Danduwam
1990Jaya Shakthi
1990Dedunnen Samanaliyak
1990Madhu Sihina
1990Chandi Raja
1991Sihina Ahase Wasanthe
1991Asai Bayai
1991Salambak Handai
1991Alibaba Saha Horu Hathaliha
1991Dhanaya
1992Sakwithi Raja
1992Sakkara Sooththara
1992Sinha Raja
1992Kiyala Wadak Na
1992Sathya
1992Sinhayangeth Sinhaya
1993Sargent Nallathambi
1993Sasara Saraisarana Thek Oba Mage
1993Yasasa
1993Soora Weera Chandiyo
1994Raja Wansen Ekek
1994Abhiyogaya
1995Wasana Wewa
1995Pudumai Eth Aththai
1995Wairayen Wairaya
1995Chandiyage Putha
1996Mana Mohini
1996Hitha Honda Geheniyak
1996Bawa Sasara
1997Soorayo Wedakarayo
1997Vijayaggrahanaya
1997Ragaye Unusuma
1998Akkai Nangiyi
1998Mohothin Mohotha
2001Oba Koheda Priye
2001Dinuma Kageda
2006Double Game
2008Hatha Denama Soorayo Remake
2008Rosa Diganthe
2009Sihina Dewuduwa
2017Madhumali
gollark: How do you end up with a stupidly large civilization but barely any life extension stuff?
gollark: I'm wondering how many 32 bit Unix systems will be around in 2038. Probably a lot. Inevitably a few will be in some sort of critical system.
gollark: Also, everyone knows that time begins in 1970, not 1999.
gollark: It's probably better than current Earth, but not exactly a wonderful society to live in.
gollark: Me two.

References
  1. "Angeline Gunathilake passed away". Daily News. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  2. "Birthday celebration with Dayan and Latha". Hiru fm. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  3. "Veteran Singer Anjalin Gunathilaka passes away". adaderana. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  4. "Angeline Gunathilaka's funeral on April 2". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  5. "Veteran singer Angeline Gunathilake passes away". newsfirst. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  6. "Veteran Singer Anjalin Gunathilaka passes away on 53rd wedding anniversary". Hiru fm. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  7. "Angeline rocks BMICH". Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  8. "ඇන්ජලින් ලයිව් ඉන් කොන්සර්ට්‌ 23දා". Divaina. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  9. "අපි ජනප්‍රිය වුණේ අනුන්ගේ ගීත ගයලා නොවේ". Divaina. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  10. "Veteran vocalist Angeline Gunathilaka bids farewell". The Island. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  11. "All about Ran Onchilla". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  12. "All about Sujeewa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  13. "All about Chandi Putha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
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