He is Rookantha Gunathilaka
Mario Glory Rookantha Gunathilake, born on September 5, 1959, is widely celebrated as the icon who redefined the landscape of Sri Lankan pop music. Often described as the "beloved romance of a youth," he opened a new avenue in Sinhala musical art in the late 1980s. With his unique melodies and modernised orchestrations, Rookantha successfully bridged the gap between traditional music and Western pop, making him one of the most successful and influential musicians in the country.
Early Life and Musical Journey
Rookantha was born into a middle-class family in Kegalle. His deep passion for music led him to study the art under renowned Sri Lankan maestros such as Stanley Peiris and Cyril Brown. He completed his formal education at St. Anthony’s College in Kandy, where his musical foundation was strongly built.
Remarkably, Rookantha started his career primarily as a lyricist and composer in 1976. For nearly a decade, he worked behind the scenes creating beautiful compositions for other artists.
The Accidental Breakthrough as a Singer
In 1985, Rookantha composed a song titled "Bambara Pahasa". Initially, he searched extensively for a suitable vocalist to sing the track but was unable to find anyone who could match the melody's specific vibe. Out of necessity, he decided to record the song in his own voice. This accidental step turned out to be a massive turning point, officially launching his historic career as a playback singer and recording artist.
Iconic Albums and Commercial Success
Rookantha is one of the very few artists in Sri Lanka whose albums achieved monumental commercial success, selling hundreds of thousands of physical copies:
Aadara Rekha (1983): His debut studio album that laid the foundation for his upcoming success.
Bambara Pahasa (1988): A massive breakthrough album that sold more than 150,000 copies across Sri Lanka.
Me Diganthaye (1992): Another chart-topping album that surpassed 100,000 copies in sales. The title track made history by being featured on the international "World Chart Show" produced by Radio Express.
Charuka (1997): Named after his eldest daughter, continuing his streak of melodic hits.
Mayime Idan (2005): His fifth studio album, launched during a grand musical show on August 21, 2005, at the BMICH in Colombo, concurrently with his wife's album "Mage Adare".
Prestigious Awards and Television Presence
Beyond commercial success, Rookantha’s brilliant vocal talents have been honored with several prestigious state and cinema awards:
Best Film Playback Singer (1994): Won for the iconic song "Suwanda Dani" in the blockbuster movie Saptha Kanya.
Best Film Playback Singer (1995): Won for the soulful track "Siyumali Rosa Male" in the movie Chitti.
In recent years, Rookantha has also shared his immense industry knowledge with the younger generation, serving as a prominent and beloved key judge on the popular reality singing competition, Sirasa Super Star.
The Phenomenon of "Ru Sanda Raye"
No mention of Rookantha is complete without his legendary live concert series, "Ru Sanda Raye" (Beauty Moon Night), performed alongside his wife. The very first concert debuted at the Elphinstone Theatre in Colombo in February 1993.
Since then, "Ru Sanda Raye" has become a global phenomenon, being staged over 200 times worldwide. The show has captivated Sri Lankan diaspora audiences in countries like Italy, France, Denmark, the UK, the USA, and Bahrain in the Middle East.
Personal Life and Legacy
Rookantha is married to the equally legendary and popular playback singer and actress, Chandralekha Perera. The couple has passed down their incredible musical genes to their two daughters, Raini Charuka Gunathilake and Windy Goonatillake, both of whom are highly successful vocalists in the modern Sri Lankan music industry today.
Rookantha Gunathilaka Song List
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