Gunadasa Kapuge (August 7, 1945 – April 3, 2003) was a legendary Sri Lankan musician. He was well known among Sri Lankans due to the philosophical background of his music renditions and lyrics selected for his work. Kapuge's one man show called "Kampana" was a historical advent of the Sinhala music industry.
Early life
Kapuge was born on August 7, 1945 either in the village of Miriswatte in the Galle district or in the tiny village of Thanabaddegama in Elpitiya. Being the second of eight siblings, he attended Karandeniya Central College up to grade five and the latter part at Dharmasoka College in Ambalangoda, where he initially studied science before switching to music.
In 1963, he left Haywood college of music, where he was studying at that time, to follow a degree course in India. In late 1960, Kapuge joined the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and in 1969 he worked as an operational assistant and in 1975 started out as a programme producer. In 1981 he was appointed in charge of the music section of the Rajarata Sevaya and later on promoted to the position of the controller of the station.
Rajarata Sevaya is one of the provincial radio stations of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. He later married Prema Withanage in 1978.
Music career
Kapuge's initial release was titled "Daesa Nilupul Thema" in 1973, which became an instant hit. After which, Kapuge was quoted as a 'Grade A' vocalist by the Radio Ceylon. Thus the three decade long music career of Visharada Kapuge began.
The first stage drama for which he provided background music was "Thuranga Sanniya" by Sugathapala De Silva. Since then he provided background music for the highly popular musical "Tharawo Igilethi" by Lucien Bulathsinhala and several other. His first movie background music gig was for the Stanley Perera's "Sandha." In 1980, Kapuge released his first music compact cassette titled "Dhampatin Laa Sandha" featuring Malini Bulathsinhala.
Kapuge staged a one-man musical show titled "Kampana" during the 1990s and also released a cassette and CD with the same title.
Death
On returning from a tour of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Visharada Kapuge had a fall at the Bandaranaike International Airport whilst disembarking a shuttle bus. He sustained injuries on the back of his head.
He was taken to the medical center at the airport at around 4.30 AM where he was given saline. After initial treatment, he was to be taken to the Colombo National Hospital. However, there was no male nurse available to assist.[1] Visharada Gunadasa Kaupuge later died at Colombo National Hospital.
He son Mitra Kapuge continues to sing his father songs.
Awards
- Swarna Sanka Award - Best Vocalist - 1996
- Vishwa Prasadini Award - 1996
- Sarasavi Awards - Best Vocalist - 1996
- Rasa Sangeetha Award - Most Popular Singer - 1997
- Presidential Award - Best Playback Singer - 1997
- Sarasavi Award - Best Vocalist - 1997
- OCIC Award - Creative Music Direction - "Bawa Duka" - 1997
- Presidential Award - Best Vocalist - 1998
- Sarasavi Awards - Prasada Pooja Award - 1999
Abisarikawange - click here or here
Ahasa Usata Naga Giyata - click here
Aiyandiye Numba Awidin - click here
An Nage - click here
Awado Sansare - click here
Bimbarak Senaga Gawasuna - click here
Bindu Bindu Tharaka - click here
Birinda Mage - click here
Bodilima Nangiye - click here
Dampatin La Sanda Basa Yanawa - click here
Dasa Nilupul Thema - click here
Dawasak Pala Nathi Hene - click here
Dethola Noke De Denethe - click here
Duka Hadu Dena Raye - click here or here
Irabatu Tharuwa - click here
Kalladi Palama - click here
Kawruth Ennathi Kawruth Yannathi - click here
Mage Bisawne Asapan - click here
Mage Hada Madala - click here or here
Mang Mula Wee - click here
Ninda Nathi Raye - click here
Nirmala / Malhina numbe - click here
Oba Pem Karana - click here
Ruwak Andenawa Kawdo Enawa - click here
Salgaha Mudune - click here
Sanda Ra Sihinaye - click here
Sinhala Sindu Kiyana - click here
Sithala Sanda Eliye - click here
Situ Kumariye - click here or here
Unmada Sithuwam - click here
Uthuru Kone Numba - click here
