Freddie Silva

Freddie Silva
Haupe Liyanage Athukorala Morris Joseph Ranabahu, (born 18 May 1938 – died 29 October 2001: ), 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 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" (from Lokuma Hinawa). 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 (1965), Lasanda (1974) and Sukiri kella (1975). 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 (who he appeared alongside in ten films the last being Yukthiyada Shakthiyada) 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 Prera 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.
Filmography
As producer
Songs
Aachchi Podi Wedawarjanayak
Aappa Weladaamey Umba - with Kalawathee
Aaraadhitha Amuththek (Vikata Rasaanga) - with Gemunu Wijesuriya
Aaron Maama
Aaronge Malli Baaron
Aawaa Mey Mama - with Anjaleen Gunathilake
Ahanna Balanna
Aladinge Puduma Pahana - with Nihal Nelson
Allapu Gedarin
Aluth Kathawak
Aluth Kalaawak
Amuthu Adum ada
Anangaya Anangaya - with Anjaleen Gunathilake
Amuthu Sathaa
Andare
Andare Mehe Waren - with Desmond De Silva
Anna Hande Haawa
Api Kaatada Baya - with H.R. Jothipala
Arabiye Thele
Arulu Burulu
Ata Sakilla Waage
Athaka Selawena
Athadunna Hithawanthi
Aththa Yukthiyata
Au Au Au Au Mage Sawarina
Ayiya Saami - with Kalawathee
Baanumathi
Bachna Bachana
Balla Balla
Ballan Biruwata
Ballata Ethiwedakuthne
Bam Manna
Bar Eken Beela
Bara Karaththe
Batakola Wattiyakata - with Kalawathiee
Beela Beela
Blade Thaley
Bombay Sundaree
Bola Kadala Seeni Kadala - with Kalawathee
Boru Manasgaatha Noweyi
Bulath Wadiyak
Buruthu Buruthu Mal
Buuru Naamba
Chandrase Kelum
Cheriyo Kiyala Me - with Gration Ananda
Cheene Indalaa Aawe - with Kalawathee
Chi Chi Chi
Chimpanci Putha
Chin Chin Nona - with H. R. Jothipala and Milton Perera
Dannawu Rata Pawathenna Wu
Dawasak Daa Kakuluwekuta
Deweta Dige Man Awa
Dil Thadap Thadap (Illagena Kana Parippu)
Diya Yata Wiskam
Duka Wanasana Sepa - with Milton Mallawarachchi and M. S. Fernando
Ekamath Eka Rataka Ea Kale Enakota Enawa Hina Wevi (Nadayo) Enna Enna Wadiwenna Gaha Kola Mal - with H.R Jothipala
Gaja Labai Nona Mahathune (Pacha) Galkisse Muhudu Werale Galu Muwadora Pitiye (Dahas Gananakin) Ganu Parane Mawwe Deyyo Gigiri Jagari Handawana Giri Goris Handa Mama Udin Indi Gaha Yata Wadiwela Ipadunu Rata Daya Irida Pole Domba Gaha Yata Jack Saha Jil Kamatha Gawa' - with Nirosha Virajini
Kaputulanthe Wasiyo Kawadawath Na Mehema Deyak Kawuda Gona (Oon Maru Hathara Hina) Kawuda Me Ane - with Kalawathee
Kewilige Patiya (Kaputige Kooduwe) Lagadi Papai Nondi Jimai Lokaya Namathi Game Maduruwathi (Keen Koon Hangi Hangi) Maha Kaleka Benayaka (Naga Rajaya) Maha Kelaye Nuga Sewane (Bakamuna) Mamai Motta Pala Mame Me Bakamuna - with H.R Jothipala
Mangala Athupita Sarasi Mayam Mawala Pala Me Danno Danithi Mini Gejji Handana My Name Is Saiman Silva Naga Rajaya (Maha Kalayaka Benayaka) Nandamma Na Nedo - with Srilal Abeykoon
Nikamma Inna Wadata Adanna (Pin Batha) Nitharama Biruwata Ballek Oba Raja Weela - with Kalawathee
Onna Babo Billo Enawa Or Mister Pana Palayan Labana Sumane Pankiriththa Parana Coat Parawiya Wage Raja Malige Pata Sarungal Wagei - with Vijaya Kumaranatunga
Princy Darling My Sweety Raigamayanani Gampolayanani Raja Umbane Gona Rakinna Kiyala Aran Thibba Ran Thatiyaka Kiri Pani Purawala Rupiyal Lakshayak Thagi Salli Labenakota Sando Gundo (Kalayakin Nowa Munagahune) Sopinath Ekka Man Surangani Surangani Thamath Innawa (Vijaya Kuwenila) Thangamani - with Kalawathee
Thea Kude Pite Badan Tikiri Kirilliyo Topsina Premi Mage Upan Dine Langa Ena Hinda Vikara Loke Loka Vikare Wadath Agei Hadath Penei - with Gration Ananda
Weda Mahaththaya Wella Simbimin Rali Perale Yakada Kate - with Anjaleen Gunathilaka
Yantham Athi Yantham English Dana GaththaReferences
External linksජනප්‍රිය නළුවා ලෙස කිරැළ පලන් විකට නළුවා Yesteryear Sinhala film comediansFreddie Silva no more Freddie's fries මේ දරුවාගේ පියා කවදා හරි රජ වෙනවාජනේෂ් සිල්වා ගැන දුක හිතෙන ආරංචියක්''
1938 births
2001 deaths
20th-century Sri Lankan male singers
People from Moratuwa
Sri Lankan Roman Catholics
Sri Lankan male film actors
Sinhalese singers