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Ananda Samarakoon (Egodahage George Wilfred Alwis Samarakoon) was born on 13 January, 1911 in Sri Lanka, is a Sri Lankan musician (1911–1962). Discover Ananda Samarakoon's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 51 years old?

Popular As Egodahage George Wilfred Alwis Samarakoon
Occupation Singer-songwriter Lecturer
Age 51 years old
Zodiac Sign Capricorn
Born 13 January 1911
Birthday 13 January
Birthplace N/A
Date of death 5 April, 1962
Died Place N/A
Nationality Sri Lanka

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 13 January. He is a member of famous musician with the age 51 years old group.

Ananda Samarakoon Height, Weight & Measurements

At 51 years old, Ananda Samarakoon height not available right now. We will update Ananda Samarakoon's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
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Ananda Samarakoon Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Ananda Samarakoon worth at the age of 51 years old? Ananda Samarakoon’s income source is mostly from being a successful musician. He is from Sri Lanka. We have estimated Ananda Samarakoon's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income musician

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Timeline

1911

Egodahage George Wilfred Alwis Samarakoon (13 January 1911 – 2 April 1962) known as Ananda Samarakoon was a Sri Lankan (Sinhalese) composer and musician.

He composed the Sri Lankan national anthem "Namo Namo Matha" and is considered the father of artistic Sinhala music and founder of the modern Sri Lankan Sinhala Geeta Sahitya (Song Literature).

Born on 13 January 1911 as Egodahage George Wilfred Alwis Samarakoon, to Samuel Samarakoon, Chief Clerk to British-owned Maturata Plantations and Dominga Peries in Watareka, Padukka.

He was the second of four sons in a Christian family.

Samarakoon received his primary education at Wewala School and thereafter attended CMS Sri Jayawardenepura College (Christian College, Kotte).

His Sinhala Guru was Pandit D.C.P. Gamalathge.

Later he served his Alma mater as a teacher of Music and Art.

Samarakoon left for the Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan in India to study art and music.

After six months he abandoned his studies and returned to Ceylon, and changed his name to Ananda Samarakoon, embracing Buddhism.

1937

In 1937, the popular music of Sri Lanka consisted of songs derived from the North Indian Ragadhari music.

These songs lyrics often contained meaningless phrases with little or no literary merit.

1938

Then he served as the music teacher of Mahinda College, Galle from 1938 to 1942.

1940

Samarakone set out to create a form of a music that can be classified as Sri Lanka's own and came out with the song Ennada Menike (එන්නද මැණිකේ) (1940) that paved the foundation for the artistic Sinhala music.

In 1940, he composed Namo Namo Mata to instill patriotism and love for one's country, in his students at Mahinda College.It was first sung by little Mahindians at the prestigious Olcott Hall.

That song was later selected as the National anthem of Sri Lanka by the Sri Lankan government.

The love themed song Endada Menike unfolds in the form of a dialogue between a young village boy and a girl.

Poetic and beautifully rustic, it became a success and Samarakone followed it with a string of successful songs in the early to mid-1940s, the period considered his golden age.

Among his best known works are:

1945

In 1945, Samarakoon's only son died at the age of five, and the grieving Samarakoon left Sri Lanka for India where he pursued a painting career and held eleven art exhibitions there.

1951

Though his painting were critically acclaimed, he returned to music in 1951 back in Sri Lanka.

One of Samarakoon's early compositions, Namo Namo Mata was nominated as the national anthem and was officially adopted as the national anthem of Ceylon on 22 November 1951, from a committee headed by Sir Edwin Wijeyeratne.

Critics attacked Namo Namo Mata, particularly the "Gana" significance of the introductory words (Namo Namo Matha) which designate disease and ill luck to the political leaders of the country.

Samarakone who has completed Ghana Shasthra studies in India, clearly stated the ones who were asking to change the lyrics, that he is the only one to complete Ghana Shastra studies in India and that he would knows if there is any mistake or not.

But after some days, he was asked to visit the SL broadcasting cooperation and had made to listen to his song which had been changed without his knowledge and consent.

1962

He committed suicide in 1962.

On 5 April 1962, at the age of 51, Samarakoon committed suicide by taking an overdose of sleeping tablets.

This is due the change made to the National Anthem "Namo Namo Mata"