Karunaratne Abeysekera
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (June 2017) |
Karunaratne Abeysekera | |
---|---|
Nalanda College Colombo | |
Occupation | Broadcaster |
Employer | Radio Ceylon/Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation |
Known for | Poetry, Songwriting and Scriptwriting |
Spouse | Erani Abeysekara[1] |
Children | Dilipa Abeysekara |
Karunaratne Abeysekera (3 June 1930 – 20 April 1983) was one of Sri Lanka's most famous Sinhala broadcasters. He was also a poet and songwriter and was widely admired for his excellent command of Sinhala.[2]
Abeysekera wrote the lyrics to over 2,000 songs, a record for a lyricist in Sri Lanka.[citation needed] His compositions are still covered by some of the island's top musicians to this day, introducing his lyrics to new audiences in South Asia, and his songs are played regularly by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.
Early years
Abeysekera was born on 3 June 1930 in Ratmale near
He was discovered by the children's
His younger brother Daya Abeysekara was a renowned journalist and an actor. He died on 29 March 2019 at the age of 80. Funeral will be held on 31 March 2019 at Kanatte Cemetery.[5]
A teenage broadcaster
Abeysekera was a pioneering Sinhala broadcaster. He was a rare breed, a "teenage broadcaster" launching a broadcasting career with Radio Ceylon, which he joined in 1950 at the age of 20. In 1958 he was sent to London for specialist broadcasting training with the BBC. Studio 5 of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation has been named after him.
Career
Abeysekera was an
Pioneer Sinhala cricket commentator
Abeysekera made history in the world of radio by being the first
Quote on Karunaratne Abeysekera
Karu (...) has won many awards for his lyrics and achievements in broadcasting and allied fields. Through his children's programmes of the then Radio Ceylon (now SLBC) thousands of young people were able to display their talent and a large number of them later became popular (...). Karu loved cricket.
— Daily News (Colombo)
See also
- Radio Ceylon
- Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation
- List of cricket commentators
- List of Sri Lankan broadcasters
Bibliography
- Cricket and National Identity in the Postcolonial Age, [Hardcover], Stephen Wagg (Editor), Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (7 July 2005), ISBN 0-415-36348-9
References
- ^ "Actually I had a crazy feeling on him - Erani". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "Memories of Karu by his wife". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- ^ "Henry Jayasena 'A gifted and decent human being….'". island. 2007. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
- ^ "In memory of Henry Jayasena". island. 2011. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
- ^ "Veteran journalist Daya Abeysekara passes away". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
External links
- Daily News Colombo: Karunaratne Abeysekera of Radio Ceylon - The Legacy Lives On
- BBC Radio 4 - Empire: Young Ceylonese Talents
- Studio Five named after Karunaratne Abeysekera
- Abeysekera Peerless Lyricist
- SLBC-creating new waves of history
- Eighty Years of Broadcasting in Sri Lanka
- Reflections on Karunaratne Abeysekera
- එන්න මඳ නළේ ගොස් පවසන්න දුක මගේ