Sujatha Aththanayaka

Kala Suri Visharadha Dr. Mudunkotuwa Munasinghe Arachchige Sujatha Perera , colloquially known as Sujatha Aththanayaka , is a Sri Lankan singer. She is a prominent playback singer in Sinhala cinema and also in Sri Lankan and Indian Tamil cinema. Considered the golden bell of Sinhala music, she holds the record for the most number of cassettes produced by a Sri Lankan woman singer with more than 115 cassettes in a career spanning more than seven decades. She is the first female music director in Sri Lanka. She contributed for nearly 400 Sinhala films and 20 Sri Lankan-Indian Tamil Films as a playback singer. She sang more than 6000 Sinhala songs and more than 1000 songs in 9 different languages.

Personal life

She was born on 12 May 1942 in Kelaniya as the third of five siblings. Her father Mudunkotuwa Munasinghe Arachchige Dharmadasa Perera was a police sergeant. Her mother Gertrude Margaret Wolboff aka Vimala Kantha was a tower hall actress and singer. She started education in 1947 from Wedamulla Maha Vidyalaya, Kelaniya. She has two sisters and two brothers. Her sister Ranjani Perera is a renowned dance teacher and her younger brother Susil Perera is a popular comedian and musician.
She is married to Navaratne Aththanayaka. She met Navaratne at the State College of Music. The couple has three sons - Hely Sajeewa, Chanaka, Samin. Her second son Captain Chanaka Sanjeewa died on September 25, 1992, in Pooneryn during Eelam War II. Since his death, Aththanayaka quit singing and start to wear white sarees.
After his son's death, she left Sri Lanka for America in 1992. Due to the huge fan demand, she performed a series of successful concerts titled Jeevana Vila Meda in 2012.

Music career

In 1950, she sang Malse Dileva for a feature program in SLBC. After school life at the age of 18, she studied at the State College of Aesthetic and then at State College of Music in 1960. At first she was a lecturer at the Kalutara Teachers Training College and then became a Director of Education at Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka. In 1967 she went to India to complete a master's degree and "Visharadha" Exams from Lucknow College of Music in singing and playing sitar. After returning, she started to work at Radio Ceylon becoming the only female singer to perform classical music programs on Sri Lanka Radio. He retired as the Director of Aesthetic Education. In 1958 she became the first Sinhalese singer who sang a Hindi song for the program “Bal Sakha”.
In 1975, she became the first Sri Lankan female music director and directed music for films such as Hariyata Hari and Sanda Kinduru. Apart from music direction, Aththanayake involved as a playback singer and radio drama singer for many years started with 1956 film Sohoyuro at the age of 14. She sang several popular playback film songs such as Jeewana Vila Meda, Maligawe Ma Rajini, Onchilla Thotili, Guwan Thotille, Herde Rasa Malige, Parawunu Mal Wala and Puthune Me Ahaganna. She recorded four playback songs for four films in one day, which is a record in Sri Lanka. The first song was recorded at Kandana S. P. M. studio. The second song was done in the afternoon at Hendala Vijaya Studios. The third song was recorded at the University of Kelaniya studio and the fourth song was recorded at Lanka Studios.
She sang playback songs for nearly 400 Sinhala Films.
In 1979, a special music test conducted by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation won the first place in the rankings, beating all other singers.
She is the only singer to perform in India where she sang in different languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Urdu, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, English and Nepali. In 1980, she had the opportunity to sing the song Subha Kamina at the President's House when Nepal King Birendra and Queen Vimla arrived Sri Lanka. She was the first Sinhala singer to perform a Nepali song in the Asian Hindi Service. She also performed a Tamil one-man concert Swaram in Bambalapitiya as well as an Islam concert Ilampirai Geethangal in Maradana. She sang Tamil songs for 20 Tamil Films. She sang playback songs for Indian actresses like Radhika Sarathkumar, Thanuja Mukherjee & Vaijayanthimala.
Her husband was the musician in some of her popular songs including Aganthuka Kurulla, Bolan Podi Nangi Tikak Hitapan, Jeewathwana Thuru Ma, Neth Wasa and Wessata Themi Themi. Apart from singing, she is a talented Katak dancer who studied under Sirimathi Rasadari. In 1985, she represented Sri Lankan cultural delegation at the SAARC Summit. In 1992, after the death of her son, she launched a cassette "Yuda Bima Kandulak" to commemorate her son's first death anniversary.
She sang more than 6000 Sinhala songs and 1000 Tamil songs. She was also involved with many popular duets including; Obe Namin, Banda Jaya Keheli with Amaradeva Sandun Sihil, Adara Pujasane with Victor Rathnayake, Koho Koho Kohe Idan with Sanath Nandasiri, Bonda Meedum Kandurelle with Abeywardena Balasuriya, Chandrame Ra Paya Awa, Ghana Andakarayen Midi with H.R. Jothipala, Piruna Hada Santhane, Gangawe Neela Jale with Harun Lanthra, Madhura Yame with R. Muttusamy, Pera Athmayaka with Milton Perera and Pushpa Makarandaya with Narada Disasekara.
In 2016, she directed the music for the Sri Lanka Police theme song and later she composed the theme song of the Sri Lanka Special Task Force.

Concerts

In 1974 she started her first solo concert "Asi Mihira"

Asi Mihira - First Solo Concert - From 1974
Swaram - Solo Tamil Songs Concert
Ilampirei Geethangal - Solo Islam Songs Concert
Gee Pooja - This concert was performed for the people displaced by the war and for the soldiers during the war period.
Sujatha Gee - This Concert was performed in foreign countries like America, France, New Zealand etc.
Sujatha Swara Sangeet - India Nagpur
Jeevana Vila Meda

Awards and accolades

In 1965, she was awarded the Swarna Sanka Award for Best Singer of the Year for the song Duka Eka Eka Peralila in the film Yata Giya Dawasa. In 1966, she won the award for the song Paravunu Mal Wala in the film Parasathumal at Sarasaviya Film Festival. She was awarded with “Pan Mai Kokilam” by Sri Lanka Muslim Artiste Front. In 2021, she was honored with a lifetime achievement award during the ceremony held for 21 artists who made an invaluable contribution to Sinhala cinema in the early decades of Sinhala Cinema.

Miscellaneous Awards

2009 - Vidhyalankara Honorary Award
2011 - Dheemathi Award
2015- Susara Pranama Award
2017 - ADTF Honorary Award
2017 - Prathibha Pranama Award
2017 - OSCAR Pooja Pranama Award
2018 - Kalabhushana Award
2019 - Honorary Award - Hansa Kalaashram
2019 - Honorary Doctorate - University of the Visual and Performing Arts
2020 - Kalabhimani Award
2020 - Jeevana Prashansa Honorary Award
In 2017, Amila Lokumannage wrote her biopic Sujatha Deshaye Madurathama Swaraya.
Attanayake's Book Launch ceremony entitled "Sujatha Attanayake Abhinandana" was held on November 11, 2017, at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute where she launched her biography, "Sujatha Deshaye Madhurathama Swaraya" and a Catalogue of her songs titled "Sujatha Attanayake Geethawaliya", written by Amila Lokumannage.
In 2019, Aththanayake was honored as a heroic mother who was gifted a heroic son who sacrificed his life for the country. In the same year, she was awarded honorary doctorate from University of the Visual and Performing Arts.

Playback film tracks

Year	Film	Song	Duet	Ref.
1970	Geetha	Pena Pena Ena
1970	Geetha	Masitha Vil Thera Chanchala We	with H. R. Jothipala
1970	Suli Sulang	Kohedo Kohedo Aetha	with H. R. Jothipala
1971	Kesara Sinhayo	Heeneki Jeewithe
1972	Sujeewa	Atha Wana Petha Sarasala
1972	Singapore Charlie	Wasanthaye Jeewana Liya Gomuwe	with Tony Hassan
1972	Singapore Charlie	Aradhana Se Hamuwanna	with Nihal Jayawardena
1972	Hithaka Pipunu Mal	Chanchala Nu Pura Kinkini
1972	Hithaka Pipunu Mal	Tamil song
1972	Hathara Wate	Sakwala Gala Mepita Upan	with Sanath Nandasiri, Narada Disasekara, K. Sena
1972	Veeduru Gewal	Geewith Yauwana Yame	with Harun Lanthra
1972	Veeduru Gewal	Ma Thani Vee
1972	Me Desa Kumatada	Ghana Andhakarayen Midi	with H. R. Jothipala
1973	Matara Achchi	Sandun Sihina Sihil Arana
1973	Thushara	Ran Tharu Se	with Harun Lanthra
1973	Thushara	Kawudo Me Awe	with H. R. Jothipala, Angeline Gunathilake
1973	Gopalu Handa	Gantheere Gangawe	with Harun Lanthra
1973	Gopalu Handa	Tharuna Sithaka Arume
1973	Gopalu Handa	Kaansiye Mahansiye	with R. Muttusamy
1973	Gopalu Handa	Mandire Pem Sendelle	with Harun Lanthra
1974	Surekha	Oba Mage Nam Mama Obe Nam	with H. R. Jothipala
1974	Hadawath Naththo	Udagirin Paaya Dinapathida
1974	Kalyani Ganga	Puthune Me Ahaganna Puthune
1974	Susee	Dan Dan Awile Gini
1974	Susee	Pudumai Hari Pudumai
1974	Senakeliya	Sithuvili Yahanaka Sethapena	with Milton Mallawarachchi
1974	Senakeliya	Bol Pini Meda
1975	Hitha Honda Minihek	Ma Gee Gayana Mohothakado
1975	Hitha Honda Minihek	Mage Ahinsaka Podi Duwe	with H. R. Jothipala
1975	Aese Idiripita	Laye Miyagiya Mage Sihine
1975	Obai Mamai	Madara Mal Kumari	with H. R. Jothipala
1975	Obai Mamai	Anuraga Otunu Peladi	with H. R. Jothipala
1975	Obai Mamai	Kuludul Wanamal Malwara	with H. R. Jothipala
1975	Kaliyuga Kale	Hemin Hemin Depa Thiya
1975	Raththaran Amma	Hada Sal Gase Ethena	with H. R. Jothipala
1975	Sukiri Kella	Seedevi Gimhana Kale	with H. R. Jothipala
1975	Sukiri Kella	Seedevi Geta Awe
1975	Sukiri Kella	Tharupathi Wata Tharu Keta
1975	Kohoma Kiyannada	Nawa Sanda Pun Sanda Wei	with Milton Perera
1975	Kohoma Kiyannada	Mediyam Ra Diyaweddi
1975	Kohoma Kiyannada	Neth Basin Kee Hangum
1975	Cyril Malli	Pegena Apa Hata Athwel
1976	Harima Badu Thunak	Muwe Mee Nura Ken
1976	Duhulu Malak	Bonda Meedum Kandurelle
1976	Loka Horu	Randola Gebaki	with Milton Perera
1976	Haratha Hathara	Atha Bhawaye Rama Seetha	with Victor Rathnayake
1976	Haratha Hathara	Johana Kenadi	with Freddy Silva
1976	Asha	Athura Supem Kekulu	with Victor Rathnayake
1976	Hariyata Hari	Methek Helu Duk Kanduleli
1976	Mangala	Selena Hadawathe
1976	Mangala	Kuludul Adare Rahasa Denuna	with Milton Mallawarachchi
1977	Neela	Sondure Hadamal Hee Wedila	with H. R. Jothipala
1977	Neela	Aradhana Sansaraye
1977	Sakunthala	Athmayen Athmayata	with H. R. Jothipala
1977	Sakunthala	Herde Rasa Malige
1977	Sakunthala	Adara Lowe Asiri	with H. R. Jothipala
1977	Sakunthala	Seethala Rate Meeduma Wete
1977	Sakunthala	Seethala Pawe Mal Samaye	with Victor Rathnayake
1977	Sudu Paraviyo	Visithuru Sihina Lowe	with H. R. Jothipala
1977	Deviyani Oba Kohida	Adara Poojasane	with Victor Rathnayake
1977	Yali Ipade	Sansare Vindi Sahane	with Milton Perera
1977	Yali Ipade	Puruwe Athmayaka Bedi
1977	Aege Adara Kathawa	Oba Mage Neth Deka Wage	with H. R. Jothipala, Siri Perera
1977	Aege Adara Kathawa	Oba Mage Neth Deka Wage
1977	Tom Pachaya	Hade Prema Asha	with H. R. Jothipala
1977	Tom Pachaya	Nona Kageda Kage	with Milton Perera, Angeline Gunathilake, Freddy Silva
1977	Niwena Ginna	Chanchala Desaka Wasana	with Victor Rathnayake
1977	Niwena Ginna	Hadak Soyan Yamin Gaman	with Victor Rathnayake
1977	Yakadaya	Sithu De Pathu De Ituwi Yay	with H. R. Jothipala
1977	Yakadaya	Asha Reli Dese Weli	with H. R. Jothipala
1978	Chandi Shyama	Karumeki Upanne Lowe
1978	Chandi Shyama	Ho Enu Mena Lanvila	with H. R. Jothipala
1978	Mage Ran Putha	Sanda Paaya	with Sisira Senaratne
1978	Deepanjali	Sanda Paane Madahase	with H. R. Jothipala
1978	Apeksha	Sonduru Lowata Mal Wehela	with H. R. Jothipala
1978	Kumara Kumariyo	Neela Desa Thavuthisawe	with Milton Mallawarachchi
1978	Kumara Kumariyo	Supem Sendelle	with H. R. Jothipala, Milton Mallawarachchi, Angeline Gunathilake
1979	Minisun Athara Minisek	Ma Pethum Pirena Vilase	with H. R. Jothipala
1979	Minisun Athara Minisek	Mage Mathake Obe Ruwa Aede	with H. R. Jothipala
1979	Palagetiyo	Mal Pipunata Lowa	with Victor Rathnayake
1979	Anusha	Saman Sugande Wimasanna	with H. R. Jothipala, Indrani Perera
1979	Anusha	Kumareki Inne Kumariye	with Roy de Silva
1979	Subhani	Neela Nayana Sele	with H. R. Jothipala
1980	Kanchana	Jeewana Hada Ambare	with Milton Mallawarachchi
1980	Silva	Piyum Vile Pini Kandule	with H. R. Jothipala
1980	Sasaraka Pathum	Sasara Thurulle	with H. R. Jothipala
1980	Mage Amma	Natala Gayala Weda Keruwa	with Harun Lanthra
1980	Hondin Inna	Balaporoththuwe Sihina Malu
1980	Hondin Inna	Diwa Re Deke	with Harun Lanthra
1980	Miyurige Kathawa	Sudo Mama Adarei
1981	Ajasaththa	Magadha Desha Bimbisara
1981	Ek Dawasak Ra	Edath Mage Adath Mage
1981	Senasuma	Adaraye Mal Pipila	with H. R. Jothipala
1981	Senasuma	Podi Puthu Randa
1982	Sandaa	Vile Mukulu Vila Mathupita
1982	Re Manamali	Muthulelle Me Ahunado
1982	Pradeepa	Malsara Hee Dahare	with Asoka Ponnamperuma
1982	Pradeepa	Ambiliya Gena
1982	Situ Diyaniyo	Paabedi Noopura Minigigiri
1982	Mihidum Sihina	Seetha Hima Relle	with H. R. Jothipala
1982	Miss Mallika	Ai Oba Mata Metharam	with H. R. Jothipala
1982	Kadawunu Poronduwa	Is Issara Wela	with Eddie Jayamanne
1983	Chandira	Man Romeo	with Gratien Ananda, Gunadasa Kapuge, Indra Liyanage
1984	Kokila	Aloke Jeewithe
1984	Kokila	Mage Jeewithe Mage Adare	with H. R. Jothipala, Harun Lanthra
1984	Kokila	Aho Kimado Mese Une
1984	Namal Renu	Kuludul Noyidul Senehasa	with H. R. Jothipala
1985	Adarayaka Mahima	Pipunu Mala Wage Suwadai	with H. R. Jothipala
1985	Adarayaka Mahima	Gimhana Yamaye
1985	Adarayaka Mahima	Hadaka Mahima Dehadak Ekvila	with H. R. Jothipala
1986	Mal Warusa	Mal Wesse Themi Themi	with H. R. Jothipala
1989	Okkoma Rajawaru	Madhura Prema Nimnaye	with Gratien Ananda
1989	Shakthiya Obai Amme	Akasa Nadee There	with Tony Hassan
1989	Shakthiya Obai Amme	Podi Puthu Ipadunu Dine	with Tony Hassan, Uresha Ravihari
1990	Veera Udara	Wasanawa Pedi
1990	Veera Udara	Nisha Yame Hima Wala Theere	with Gratien Ananda
1990	Veera Udara	Kurullaneni Kirilli Kohe	with Gratien Ananda, Maya Damayanthi, Victor Vijayantha