Gratien Ananda

Bajjala Walawwe Gretien Ananda Abeykoon (; 15 March 1957 – 29 December 2010), also as Gration Ananda or Greshan Ananda, was a Sri Lankan singer, composer, songwriter and a lyricist. Considered as the best Sinhalese film score musician to have emerged in the country since the veteran artist the Late H.R. Jothipala, Ananda sang for more than 400 films with a musical career that spanned nearly three decades.

He died at the age of 53 while receiving treatments at National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo.

Personal life He was born on 15 March 1957 to a family immersed in music. His father Bajjala Walawwe Shelton Abeykoon was a police officer and mother Bernadette Bernadine Jayawardena Amadoru, was a music teacher and a pianist. His grand father Brigadier Charley Jayawardena Amador was a renowned musician who served in the British Army. He spent his early childhood in Kandy, after he moved to hometown Tangalle for primary education. The family had to move frequently as the father's job was transferred from time to time, where he attended to as many as 10 schools.

He was a devoted Catholic, where he never missed a Tuesday mass at St Anthony's Church, Kochchikade in Colombo.

As a result of a romantic relationship, Ananda married his longtime partner Srima Abeykoon on January 11, 1985, at St. Cecilia's Church, Colombo. The couple has one daughter, Dulanjalee Chathurya and one son, Mario Angelo. His son Mario Ananda was born on 12 May 1991 and completed education from father's school, St.Joseph College. He started music career after Gratien's death to continue his legacy. In October 2020, his daughter Dulanjali released her maiden song Nidahase with a music video.

Career As a singer His music education took place in his own home, since his mother was a music teacher, he was able to associate various musical instruments at his home. When he turns five, he will be able to play the mouth organ wonderfully. Ananda started to play mouth organ since the age of 3. His music ability was first identified by school music teacher Rev.Father John Herath, where Ananda started to play trumpet and then keyboard. The DVD of the concert was released in 2005 with the brand Torana Music Box. The DVD comprises 20 popular songs sung by Ananda.

His final song album was Desithaka Gee produced in year 2007 with 12 new songs.

Music direction He started to compose music for songs Etha Duraka Etha Pawela by himself and Neela Wickramasinghe and Tedini Viraja by Edward Jayakody. Both songs became popular hits, where K.A.W Perera invited Ananda to direct music for his film Durga. With that film, he directed music for about 16 films such as Dhawala Pushpaya, Randenigala Singhaya, Sinha Patawu, Hai Master and Hitha Honda Gaheniyak.

In December 2010, Ananda died at the age of 53 while taking medical assistance at the Colombo National Hospital.

Playback singing filmography Year Film 1988 Durga 1989 Randenigala Sinhaya 1994 Dhawala Pushpaya 1996 Hitha Honda Gahaniyak 1980 Mal Kekulu 1982 Bicycale 1982 Thani Tharuwa 1982 Newatha Hamuwemu 1983 Chandira 1983 Athin Athata 1983 Samanala Sihina 1984 Hitha Honda Kollek 1984 Sasara Chethana 1984 Jaya Sikurui 1985 Rajina 1985 Aya Waradida Oba Kiyanna 1985 Rosy 1985 Varsity Kella 1986 Prarthana 1986 Dushyanthi 1986 Jaya Apatai 1986 Soora Saradiyel 1986 Dinuma 1987 Thaththi Man Adarei 1987 Yukthiyada Shakthiyada 1987 Raja Wadakarayo 1987 Randamwal 1987 Obatai Priye Adare 1988 Rasa Rahasak 1988 Nawa Gilunath Ban Chun 1988 Satana 1988 Newatha Api Ekwemu 1989 Mamai Raja 1989 Okkoma Rajawaru 1989 Nommara 17 1990 Dase Mal Pipila 1990 Thanha Asha 1990 Jaya Shakthi 1990 Yukthiyata Wada 1990 Dedunnen Samanaliyak 1990 Weera Udara 1990 Hodin Naththam Narakin 1990 Pem Rajadahana 1990 Madu Sihina 1990 Chandi Raja 1990 Honda Honda Sellam 1990 Wana Bambara 1991 Uthura Dakuna 1991 Paradise 1991 Wada Barinam Wadak Na 1991 Sihina Ahase Wasanthe 1991 Obata Pamanai Adare 1991 Asai Bayai 1991 Raja Sellan 1991 Salambak Handai 1991 Ran Hadawatha 1991 Cheriyo Doctor 1991 Dhanaya 1991 Suwadena Suwadak 1992 Ranabime Weeraya 1992 Sakwithi Raja 1992 Sakkara Sooththara 1992 Sinha Raja 1992 Kiyala Wadak Na 1992 Umayangana 1992 Oba Mata Wiswasai 1992 Suranimala 1992 Sathya 1992 Sinhayangeth Sinhaya 1993 Chaya 1993 Sargent Nallathambi 1993 Sasara Sarisarana Thek Oba Mage 1993 Come o Go Chicago 1993 Yasasa 1993 Bambadara Bisaw 1993 Sandareka 1993 Lassanai Balanna 1993 Lagin Giyoth Ahak Na 1993 Soora Weera Chandiyo 1994 Rajawansen Ekek 1994 Abhiyogaya 1994 Sujatha 1994 Mawubime Weerayo 1994 150 Mulleriyawa 1994 Hello My Darling 1995 Wasana Wewa 1995 Vijay Saha Ajay 1995 Ira Handa Illa 1995 Pudumai Eth Aththai 1995 Wairayen Wairaya 1995 Demodara Palama 1995 Chandiyage Putha 1995 Age Wairaya 1995 Cheriyo Captain 1996 Mana Mohini 1996 Hiru Sanduta Madiwee 1996 Mal Hathai 1996 Cheriyo Darling 1996 Bawa Sasara 1997 Soorayo Wadakarayo 1997 Ramba Saha Madhu 1997 Apaye Thappara 84000k 1997 Raththaran Minihek 1998 Yudha Gini Meda 1998 Re Daniel Dawal Migel 1998 Sathutai Kirula Ape 1998 Girl Friend 1999 Ayadimi Sama 1999 Koti Sana 1999 Seetha Samire 1999 Nagaran 2000 Danduwama 2000 Thisarawi 2000 Jack And Jill 2001 Oba Koheda Priye 2001 Wasanthaye Kunatuwak 2001 Dinuma Kageda 2001 Rosa Wasanthe 2002 Seethala Gini Kandu 2002 Kamasuthra 2002 Magul Sakwala 2002 Jolly Halo 2 2002 Somy Boys 2003 Vala in London 2004 Diya Yata Gindara 2004 Sumedha 2004 Left Right Sir 2006 Dedunu Wassa 2006 Samaara 2006 Anjalika 2006 Double Game 2007 Weda Beri Tarzan 2007 Hai Master 2008 Rosa Diganthe 2008 Ai Oba Thaniwela 2009 Juliya 2009 Sinasuna Adaren 2010 Mago Digo Dai 2015 Sanjana

Track listing No. Song Film Accompany singers 1 Semata Pihitawana Re Daniel Dawal Migel Nuwan Gunawardana and Champa Kalhari 2 Mal Mal Sihinaya Re Daniel Dawal Migel Nuwan Gunawardana and Champa Kalhari 3 Maa Rahasin Amatha Re Daniel Dawal Migel Latha Walpola 4 Wennati Oba Edath Pemwathi Numba Nadan Apita Pissu Uresha Ravihari 5 Adara Wassak Numba Nadan Apita Pissu Uresha Ravihari 6 Pemkala Chamara Sala Sala Numba Nadan Apita Pissu Uresha Ravihari 7 Getapichcha Suwandata Seethala Gini Kandu Chandrika Siriwardena 8 Heda Pennuwe Raja Wani Seethala Gini Kandu Victor Vijayantha, Walter Fernando, Maya Damayanthi, Susil Perera 9 Dewathi Dewa Nommara 17 Angeline Gunathilake 10 Meda Sale Bandanne Nommara 17 Vijaya Kumaratunga, Angeline Gunathilake 11 Handa Wage Handa Mage Vala In London Uresha Ravihari 12 Ninden Sihinen Vala In London Uresha Ravihari 13 Sanda Wathure Ran Tharaka Ai Oba Thaniwela Milton Mallawarachchi, Latha Walpola, W. Premaratne 14 Dan Dan Munen Ai Oba Thaniwela Milton Mallawarachchi, Latha Walpola, Malini Bulathsinhala 15 Seetha Meedume Seetha Sakwale Koti Sana Nirosha Virajini 16 Ahase Meedum Duhul Walaa Oba Koheda Priye Latha Walpola

Solo tracks

Adara Seenuwa Adari Sagari Ma Hade Mandire Akasha Gangawe Pawee Gena Anupama Senehe Bale Punchi Kale Wage Bindu Bindu Kandulu Gala Chandana Allen Nala (Originally sung by H.R. Jothipala) Datha Dilena Bandi Walalu Dathe Ran Muthu Dawadi Thilina Ran Mini Muthu Deege Bara Bage Didulana Podi Ran Tharuwak Dilidune Daruwane Ea Geetha Rawe Ea Kale Wage Na Adare Eeye Men Oba Ganga Nadiye Hamuwu Gangule Iwure Gata Pichcha Suwandata Geetha Gaya (Supem Pa) Hama Hawasaka Ma Hawasata Paya Hima Kandu Yahane His Veedo Bandun Hithumathe Jeewithe Jayasri We Kumariye Jeewithayata Maga Penwa Kalaya Galana Me Nadiye Kawadada Hitha Hinahenne Kowula Kohedo (his last song) Kreedakayo Tharagaye Yedena Kumariye Oba Langa Ma Lassana Midule Ma Awe Pawasannai Ma Dayabara Priyawiye (Originally sung by Milton Mallawarachchi) Ma Ha Ae Suratha Dara Ma Upanna Deshayai Mage Jeewithaye Pa Sandu Se Mage Loke Sihine Oba We Mahada Sanasu Preme Mal Sinaha Pawe (I Love You) Mama Raga Thala Mangalle Mal Mala Dala Maranaye Dora Aree Mayawa Randawu Sinawe Me Punchi Hithakata Me Seetha Ra Yamaye Mee Bindu Gala Gala Thibunu Minisiyawe Mahima Thawa Mulu Lowa Mawitha Kalo Muwa Hasaral Mawuye Nawa Aare As Bandum Enne Nethu Piya Wasa Pata Pata Suwanda Hamana Pera Wasanthaya Pin Pata Pipi Mala Punchi Punchi Punchi Patawune Ma Ra Thun Yame Palu Raja Madure Ipadeela Rallen Ralla Wellen Wella Ranin Mala Rayak Dawalak Nopeni Nodani Sammani Duwani Sanda Langa Danga Kala Sanda Se Nisha Thalawe Sanda Seethalada Sanda Yame Paya Tharu Uyane Sandu Sagawela Sangawee Yannata Bari Wu Sara Sande Sina Sele (Originally sung by H.R. Jothipala) Sathutin Nidalle Senehasa Pibidi Senehe Irak Patha Sihina Ahase Wasanthe (solo slow) Sihinayaki Jeewithe Sihiniga Nalawenna Sithata Ganna Wera Wadanna Sithehi Yamak Nam Sithumi Duwe Visura Puthe Snehaye Handa Jesuni Sonduru Rayaka Yame Suhada Madura Preme Sunil Wala Salu Pili Patala (Originally sung by H.R. Jothipala) Sura Anganawo Ra Ahase Paya Sura Lowa Madale Geetha Gayanne Tharu Yaye Athin Athata Tharuwak Pipi Ra Vil Jale Pipena Nelumata Wareka Sada Sulagak Wagei

Duets

Ada Nathuwada Awi Mana – with Anjalin Gunathilaka Ada Vinode Sapa Soyala – with Anjalin Gunathilaka Adara Geetha Gayala – with Kalawathee Adare Nam Pothe – with Champa Kalhari Adaredo Dasin Pawasa Giye – with Shyami Fonseka Al Hene Pal Rakiddi – with G.S.B. Rani Perera Ananda We Jeewithe – with Nathasha Perera Amma Amma - with Milton Mallawarachchi Ananda Wena - with Milton Mallawarachchi, Latha Walpola and Anjalin Gunathilaka Api Santhosen Inne – with Milton Perera Asha Nura Sanda Paya – with Mariyasel Gunathilaka Ashawe Ashawe Paya – with H.R. Jothipala Atha Duraka Desa Pawela – with Neela Wickramasinghe Awa Awa Adare Soyala – with Chandraleka Perera Ayachana Obe Netha Randu Sithuwame Cheriyo Kiyala Me – with Freddie Silva Dase Obe Senehe Mawewi – with Uresha Ravihari Gee Rasa Denna – with Chandrika Siriwardena Hima Kumariye – with Nathasha Perera Hima Renu Watena – with Latha Walpola Hinahedo Jala Rakusa – with H.R. Jothipala Jeewithe Mal Supipunu Mawathe – with Dayan Witharana La Neela Akashaye – with Anjalin Gunathilaka Ma Ha Lanwela – with Milton Mallawarachchi Ma Mal Kumarayo – with Anjalin Gunathilaka Madura Prema Nimnaye – with Sujatha Aththanayaka Mage Adare Vimane – with Uresha Ravihari Mal Mee Man Math (Ding Dong Oh Baby) – with Chandrika Siriwardena Mal Loke Pavi Pavi Yawi - with Milton Mallawarachchi Mal Muthulel Hiripoda Warusawaka – with Malani Bulathsinhala Mala Gira Jodu Sadi – with Chandraleka Perera Malliye - with H.R. Jothipala Manaliyak Sanda Wage – with Anjalin Gunathilaka Me Gee Sandawe – with Kumari Munasinghe Mey Gangaadhare - with Milton Mallawarachchi and Latha Walpola Nil Nuwan Sandalle – with Nirosha Virajini Nilla Madin Yan Adara – with Maya Damayanthi Nindedi Rathri Sihine – with Chandrika Siriwardena Oba Ewidin - with Uresha Ravihari Obage Denethin Galai Adare – with Latha Walpola Pawee Pawee Seetha Maruthe – with Anjalin Gunathilaka Payana Sanda Kirane – with Latha Walpola Pem Loke Pavi Pavi Yawi – with Milton Mallawarachchi Pipena Male Suwanda Dane – with Latha Walpola Punchi Ranpata Samanalayo – with Nathasha Perera Rosa Mal Wimanaye – with Chandrika Siriwardena Sagare Wageya Mage – with Uresha Ravihari Sansara Gee Rawaye – with Latha Walpola Sihina Lathaviya Sathapena Dase – with Neela Wickramasinghe Sinaha Kandulu – with H.R. Jothipala Sihina Ahase Wasanthe - with H.R. Jothipala and Anjalin Gunathilaka Sudu Muthulal Sihine – with Latha Walpola Thisara Vile – with Samitha Mudunkotuwa Udarata Sinhala Porane – with W.D. Amaradewa Wadath Agei Hadath Penei – with Freddie Silva