Clarence Wijewardena

Clarence Wijewardena
ක්ලැරන්ස් විජේවර්ධන
A promotional photo of Clarence from 1990s
Born
Vithana Kuruppu Arachchilage Clarence Arthur Somasinghe Wijewardena

(1943-08-03)3 August 1943
Brampton Estate Haputale, British Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)
Died13 December 1996(1996-12-13) (aged 53)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Resting placeKanatte Cemetery
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationWeeraparakrama College Yatawatta
Highland College Hatton
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, music director
Years active1965–1996
SpouseSheela Ramadasa
Children1
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • Electric guitar
Labels
  • Sooriya
  • Lotus
  • Sarasavi
  • Supertone
  • Victory
  • Singha
  • Tharanga
  • Singlanka
  • Torana
Signature

Vithana Kuruppu Arachchilage Clarence Arthur Somasinghe Wijewardena JP (Sinhala: ක්ලැරන්ස් විජේවර්ධන, Tamil: கிளாரன்ஸ் விஜேவர்தன; 3 August 1943 – 13 December 1996), known professionally as Clarence Wijewardena, was a Sri Lankan singer, composer and musician.[1] Considered one of the most respected musicians in Sri Lanka,[2] Wijewardena revolutionized Sri Lankan Sinhala Pop Music with the use of the electric guitar in Sinhala music, in the 1960s.[3] Due to his influence on Sinhala pop music, he is often named as the "father of Sri Lankan pop music".[4]

  1. ^ "Remembering Clarence Wijewardena: Master Music Maker". Daily News. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Clarence Wijewardena:The unfading star of Sri Lankan music". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  3. ^ "For Clarence Wijewardena, who never left". Daily News. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Remembering Clarence, 'Father of Sinhala Pop'". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 17 December 2020.