Age, Biography and Wiki

Sunil Santha (Baddaliyanage Don Joseph John) was born on 14 April, 1915 in Ja-Ela, Sri Lanka, is an A 20th-century sri lankan male singer. Discover Sunil Santha'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 65 years old?

Popular As Baddaliyanage Don Joseph John
Occupation Composer · singer · songwriter
Age 65 years old
Zodiac Sign Aries
Born 14 April, 1915
Birthday 14 April
Birthplace Ja-Ela, Sri Lanka
Date of death 11 April, 1981
Died Place Colombo, Sri Lanka
Nationality Sri Lanka

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 14 April. He is a member of famous artist with the age 65 years old group.

Sunil Santha Height, Weight & Measurements

At 65 years old, Sunil Santha height not available right now. We will update Sunil Santha's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Sunil Santha's Wife?

His wife is Bernadet Leelawathi Jayasekara

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Bernadet Leelawathi Jayasekara
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Sunil Santha Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Sunil Santha worth at the age of 65 years old? Sunil Santha’s income source is mostly from being a successful artist. He is from Sri Lanka. We have estimated Sunil Santha'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 artist

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Timeline

Sunil Santha was a Sri Lankan composer, singer and lyricist.

1915

Sunil Santha was born on 14 April 1915 on the Sinhalese New Year's Day in Dehiyagatha, Ja-Ela, Sri Lanka.

Both his parents died before he was two years old, and Santha was raised by his grandmother.

At an early age he came to the limelight when he played King Dutugamunu in a village play.

One villager adorned him with a battery-powered lighted necklace.

He had his education at Dehiyagatha Vidyalaya, St. Benedict's College, Colombo, Thudella school and St. Aloysius' College, Galle.

At St. Benedict's College, Santha passed the school leaving certificate examination as the first in the island, with the highest marks in his class as a young adult and was awarded the Weeraratne award.

1933

In 1933, he completed the Teachers Final Examination and began work as a teacher at the Mt. Calvary School currently known as St. Aloysius' College, Galle.

While tenured there, Santha led the school to three consecutive victories at the Southern Schools Music Competition.

1939

In 1939 he passed the Intermediate Gandarva Examination and received a certificate in physical training.

He also learned to play the piano and guitar at that time.

He acted and produced several dramas including "Hamlet" during this period.

1940

He was pivotal in the development of Sinhala music and folk songs in the mid to late 1940s and early 1950s.

In 1940 Santha gave up teaching and travelled to Shantiniketan to study music.

1944

The following year Santha enrolled at the Bhatkhande Music Institute and worked to get his Visharadha Degree in 1944.

He passed the final exam as the first in the first division in Sitar and Vocals, the first non-Indian Asian to do so.

1946

On 2 March 1946 Santha held a recital for the Kumaratunga Commemoration ceremony and was asked to record for Radio Ceylon.

Over the next six years, he would have a string of popular songs including "Olu Pipila", "Handapane", "Ho Ga Rella Negay", "Bowitiya Dan Palukan Vare", "Suwada Rosa Mal Nela", "Kokilayange", and "Mihikathanalawala."

The song "Olu Pipila" is the first song to be recorded at then Radion Ceylon.

Santha stressed his Sinhala heritage in his songs opting to sing in Sinhala rather than English and not copy Hindustani and Tamil songs of India.

In the meantime, he joined Hela Havula literary association.

A diligent songwriter himself, Santha sang songs written by lyricists like Huberth Dissanayake, Kumaratunga Munidasa, Raipiyel Tennakoon, Arisen Ahubudu and Fr. Marcelline Jayakody.

1952

In 1952, he married school teacher Bernadet Leelawathi Jayasekara.

Joseph graduated in “Sangeetha Vishaarada” from the Bhathkanda University of Musicology and returned to Sri Lanka in 1952 and shunned his English name, Joseph John and adapted Sunil Santha.

He then adopted the name "Sunil Santha".

During his studies in India he regularly contributed to Sri Lankan newspapers.

In 1952, Santha was banned from Radio Ceylon after refusing to audition for Indian musician Ratanjankar, whom the corporation had brought from South India to oversee the direction of music on their stations.

Santha experienced monetary problems after being terminated from Radio Ceylon.

His songbooks were plagiarised, his songs were sold without consent or royalties by copyright violators.

He tried his hand at various trades like photography, selling clothes and electronics over the next few years.

1953

In 1953, Santha started a small school at the Maradana Newton building, vowing to teach 10 pupils for free.

He often helped fellow artists and promising talent.

He wrote to newspapers about the plight of Ananda Samarakoon and tried to bring attention to the composer of the national anthem.

At a time when Albert Perera (later known as W.D. Amaradeva) who used to play violin at Sunil's performances, was in need of help, Sunil gave him two of his music classes at Panadura to teach and make a living.

Sunil also helped collect money to send Amaradewa for further studies in India.

1955

In 1955 journalist DB Dhanapala started a campaign to expose Santha's plight and raised some money through his column on Lankadeepa.

1956

He composed the beloved soundtracks to Lester James Peries' films Rekava and Sandesaya in 1956 and 1960.

In a later comeback, he produced several experimental works.

1981

Santha died on 11 April 1981 from a heart attack shortly after his son Jagath drowned under mysterious circumstances in a swimming pool.

His son Lanka Santha is an engineer who is married to Calista Rohini, an agricultural graduate.