Bajjala Walawwe Gretien Ananda Abeykoon (Sinhala: ග්‍රේෂන් ආනන්ද; 15 March 1957 – 29 December 2010), also as Gration Ananda or Greshan Ananda, was a Sri Lankan singer, composer, songwriter and a lyricist.^[1] 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.^[2]

He died at the age of 53 while receiving treatments at National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo.^[3]

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.^[4] His grand father Brigadier Charley Jayawardena Amador was a renowned musician who served in the British Army.^[5] 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.^[4] He first went to Little Flower Convent in Tangalle and then to St.Mathew College Dematagoda. Then he completed Advanced Level Examination from Saint Joseph's College, Colombo.^[6]

He was a devoted Catholic, where he never missed a Tuesday mass at St Anthony's Church, Kochchikade in Colombo.^[2] He polished his music ability as a chorister of All Saints' Church in Borella by Reverend Father John Herath OMI.^[7]

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,^[8] Dulanjalee Chathurya and one son, Mario Angelo.^[9] His son Mario Ananda was born on 12 May 1991 and completed education from father's school, St.Joseph College.^[10] He started music career after Gratien's death to continue his legacy.^[11] In October 2020, his daughter Dulanjali released her maiden song Nidahase with a music video.^[12]

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.^[4] He practiced piano under Lal Perera and Claud Fernando. Then he graduated from Royal College of Music, London with a Diploma in Western Music.^[5]

In 1976, Ananda started to play under different bands most notably Stanley Perera's Fortunes, which became his turning point. During that time, he met musician Sarath Dassanayake and joined his orchestra to play guitar.^[4] Within the orchestra, his first played the guitar for H.R. Jothipala's Taj Mahalak song. With his extreme musical talent, he was elevated to the position of Assistant Music Director in the orchestra. Under Sarath Dasanayake and Mervin Perera, he started to learn classical Eastern Music.^[5]

Later, he worked as the Lead guitarist for many bands including Dreamers, Earnest and the Combo, Superset and Seac for many years.^[6] He was also invited to play as a guitarist for Victor Rathnayake's SA Concert.^[7] Sanath Gunathilaka was the most successful actor to match Gretien's voice. Ananda first rendered his voice to Gunathilaka's acting in Yasapalitha Nanayakkara's Newatha Hamuwemu. Since then, the Sanath-Greshan combination has created a huge number of film songs. It is also significant that all of these songs are extremely popular.^[4]

He released his first cassette in 1978.^[9] Ananda was able to sing together with Neela Wickramasinghe for a disc in 1978. His first LP Record contained four songs and all songs had been composed musically by Gration himself. With that song Atha Duraka Detha Pawela, Ananda was invited to sing as a playback singer for films. His maiden playback singing came through Sena Samarasinghe's film Mal Kekulu through the duet Bindu Bindu Kandulu Gala with Shyami Fonseka. After the film, he continued his enormous contribution to Sinhala cinema, where he sang for more than 400 films.^[5]

In 2004, he celebrated 25 years in music with a concert Ananda Rathriya at the BMICH on 25 September at 6.00 pm.^[9][13] The DVD of the concert was released in 2005 with the brand Torana Music Box. The DVD comprises 20 popular songs sung by Ananda.^[14]

His final song album was Desithaka Gee produced in year 2007 with 12 new songs.^[7] In 2009, he launched a CD at the Namel Malini Punchi Theatre on 14 February at 9 am. The CD comprises 23 songs sung at Ananda Rathriya and his son Mario also launched Gayana Gayum made up of 16 tracks on the same day.^[15]

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.^[5]

He also composed music for television serials. His first tele-drama music came through Gamana and Premada Weadi, both by K.A.W Perera.^[9]

As a lyricist

Ananda composed melodies for his fellow artistes, some of them became very popular. Some of his lyrics include Mage Punchi Kumari and Mage Athita Diviya (Wrote by great actor Sanath Gunathilake) for Milton Mallawarachchi, Aradhana Nethu Chaya and Sudu Rosa Mal for Priya Suriyasena, Mangalle Mal for Chandralekha Perera, Sandalatha for Sanath Nandasiri.^[7]

Legacy

• For his enormous contribution to Sri Lankan cinema and music industry, he was awarded with a special award by the Pope Benedict in Vatican City in 2006.^[5]
• Sarasaviya Award for the Best Film Director 1988 – nominated (Durga).^[7]
• Sarasaviya Award for the Best Male Vocalist 1994 – won (Raja-Daruwo).^[6]
• Sarasaviya Award for the Best Male Vocalist 2007 – won (Anjalika).^[7]
• OCIC SIGNEES International Award – won (for contribution to Sri Lankan field of Art).^[7]

Illness and death

On 22 December 2010, Ananda was hospitalized to receive treatments for a number of illnesses including liver failure.^[16]

In December 2010, Ananda died at the age of 53 while taking medical assistance at the Colombo National Hospital.^[6] He was cremated at the Borella Cemetery. Hospital confirmed that, he died at 6.45 am while receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).^[17]

Playback singing filmography

Track listing

Solo tracks

Duets