Freddie Silva


Haupe Liyanage Athukorala Morris Joseph Ranabahu,, popularly as Freddie Silva, was a Sri Lankan film actor, and playback singer, who appeared from 1963 until 2001. Freddie was known for being one of the most popular Sri Lankan comedians of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He appeared in over 400 films and Produced 2 films, of which 300 were screened at the celebration of fifty years in Sinhala Cinema.

Early life

Silva was born on 18 May 1938 in Puvakaramba, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka as the only child of the family. Silva's father was an overseer for the Moratuwa Urban Council and his mother was a member of Salvation Army. Growing up he was fascinated with singing and dancing. St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa was his Alma mater.

Music career

In the 1950s Silva performed the Alanson Mendis composition "Bar Bar Bar" in front of Sir John Kotelawala and was warmly received. He used this opportunity to get a letter of recommendation from Kotelawala which he presented to Livy Wijemanne of Radio Ceylon to secure a job as a radio artist.
Silva's first recording was "Mottapala." He followed the song with "Bar Bar Bar" now updated with music by P. L. A. Somapala. It was a success. Subsequent efforts teamed Silva with the late Premakirthi de Alwis. Their work include comedic songs like "Aron Mama", "Pankiritta", "Nedeyo", "Handa Mama", "Kekille Rajjuruwo" and "Parana Coat". Silva's crowning achievement is considered the tune "Kundumani."

Acting career

Silva got his first screen role through a chance meeting with K. A. W. Perera in 1963. At that time he was living with H. R. Jothipala and Roy de Silva and frequented parties as a guest entertainer. Perera cast Silva in Suhada Sohoyuro alongside L. S. Ramachandran and Vijitha Mallika. He appeared at a dance on the beach singing "Diya Rella Werale Hapi Hapi" with Pushparani and went on to be cast in mainly comedic roles.
The serious side of Silva was seen in Sekaya, Lasanda and Sukiri kella. In the 1975 film he played a mentally handicapped character and in preparation for the role lived with a real handicapped boy in Koralawella.
By the 1980s, producers were reluctant to make a film without Silva fearing that the movie would flop. He was then living an extravagant life and saved little. In 1989 Silva was awarded the Ranathisara award by leading film weekly Sarasaviya. A turning moment came when his friend Vijaya Kumaratunga was murdered. He cites this event as leading to the downfall of cinema. Still Silva stayed busy appearing in 15 of the 26 films made in 1992.

Personal life

Freddie Silva was a father of four children from his two marriages to Kamala Swarnalatha Perera and Chithra Herath. His first son Janesh Silva was also an actor and a singer. Freddie's first marriage daughter Chandani Silva is a singer and actress.
Janesh Silva was born on 26 January 1962 and attended to Carey College for studies. He was married to Hemamala and they have one son Janith Silva. Janesh died on June 10, 2012, while he was taking medical treatment for cancer. Janesh Silva is known as a comedian that acted in 10+ films.
Freddie Silva died on 29 October 2001 in Siddamulla at the age of 63.

Songs

Aachchi Podi WedawarjanayakAappa Weladaamey Umba - with KalawatheeAaraadhitha Amuththek - with Gemunu WijesuriyaAaron MaamaAaronge Malli BaaronAawaa Mey Mama - with Anjaleen GunathilakeAhanna BalannaAladinge Puduma Pahana - with Nihal Nelson Allapu GedarinAluth KathawakAluth KalaawakAmuthu Adum adaAnangaya Anangaya - with Anjaleen GunathilakeAmuthu Sathaa AndareAndare Mehe Waren - with Desmond De SilvaAnna Hande HaawaApi Kaatada Baya - with H.R. JothipalaArabiye TheleArulu BuruluAta Sakilla WaageAthaka SelawenaAthadunna HithawanthiAththa YukthiyataAu Au Au Au Mage SawarinaAyiya Saami - with Kalawathee BaanumathiBachna BachanaBalla BallaBallan BiruwataBam MannaBar Eken BeelaBara KaraththeBatakola Wattiyakata - with KalawathieeBeela BeelaBlade ThaleyBombay SundareeBola Kadala Seeni Kadala - with KalawatheeBoru Manasgaatha NoweyiBulath WadiyakBuruthu Buruthu MalBuuru NaambaChandrase KelumCheriyo Kiyala Me - with Gration AnandaCheene Indalaa Aawe - with KalawatheeChi Chi ChiChimpanci Putha Chin Chin Nona - with H. R. Jothipala and Milton PereraDannawu Rata Pawathenna WuDawasak Daa KakuluwekutaDeweta Dige Man AwaDil Thadap Thadap Diya Yata WiskamDuka Wanasana Sepa - with Milton Mallawarachchi and M. S. FernandoEkamath Eka Rataka Ea KaleEnakota Enawa Hina Wevi Enna Enna WadiwennaGaha Kola Mal - with H.R JothipalaGaja Labai Nona Mahathune Galkisse Muhudu WeraleGalu Muwadora Pitiye Ganu Parane Mawwe DeyyoGigiri Jagari HandawanaGiri GorisHanda Mama UdinIndi Gaha Yata WadiwelaIpadunu Rata DayaIrida Pole Domba Gaha YataJack Saha JilKamatha Gawa' - with Nirosha VirajiniKaputulanthe WasiyoKawadawath Na Mehema DeyakKawuda Gona Kawuda Me Ane - with KalawatheeKewilige Patiya Lagadi Papai Nondi JimaiLokaya Namathi GameMaduruwathi Maha Kaleka Benayaka Maha Kelaye Nuga Sewane Mamai Motta PalaMame Me Bakamuna - with H.R JothipalaMangala Athupita SarasiMayam Mawala PalaMe Danno DanithiMini Gejji HandanaMy Name Is Saiman SilvaNaga Rajaya Nandamma Na Nedo - with Srilal AbeykoonNikamma Inna Wadata Adanna Nitharama Biruwata BallekOba Raja Weela - with KalawatheeOnna Babo Billo EnawaOr MisterPana Palayan Labana SumanePankiriththaParana CoatParawiya Wage Raja MaligePata Sarungal Wagei - with Vijaya KumaranatungaPrincy Darling My SweetyRaigamayanani GampolayananiRaja Umbane GonaRakinna Kiyala Aran ThibbaRan Thatiyaka Kiri Pani PurawalaRupiyal Lakshayak ThagiSalli LabenakotaSando Gundo Sopinath Ekka ManSurangani SuranganiThamath Innawa Thangamani - with KalawatheeThea Kude Pite BadanTikiri KirilliyoTopsina Premi MageUpan Dine Langa Ena HindaVikara Loke Loka VikareWadath Agei Hadath Penei - with Gration AnandaWeda MahaththayaWella Simbimin Rali PeraleYakada Kate - with Anjaleen GunathilakaYantham Athi
  • ''Yantham English Dana Gaththa''