A documentary on musician and singer Gration Ananda
Mario Ananda and Dulanjali Ananda Abeykoon, children of veteran musician and singer Gration Ananda launched a documentary film on December 30, their father’s 10th death anniversary. The documentary narrates the story of his life through the memories of those who were associated with him as they felt it was the most meaningful way to commemorate and celebrate the life of their father.
Born on March 15, 1957 in Colombo, Bajjala Walauve Gration Ananda Abeykoon’s father was a police officer and his mother a music teacher. Gration’s early schooling was at Little Flower Convent in Tangalle.
Due to his father’s duty transfers the family moved often and during his teens, Gration came to Colombo to live with his uncle, and began schooling at St. Mathew’s College and then transferred to St. Joseph’s College, Colombo.
At the age of two and half, he learnt to play the harmonica from his mother, and then the piano. He played the organ as a chorister of the All Saints church in Borella and learnt to play the trumpet from the parish priest Fr. John Herath.
Playing in several musical bands, he was spotted at a wedding reception in Horana by veteran music director Sarath Dasanayake who invited him to join his orchestra. This was the turning point for Gration.
Working with Sarath Dasanayake on film music recordings, original musical productions, he learnt Ragadhaari Hindustani music, and was also involved in the productions of Stanley Peiris. Gration recorded his debut single broadcast on Radio Ceylon in 1979 with Neela Wickramasinghe’s music directed by Gration himself and written by Kularathna Ariyawansha.
His first playback singing was for the film ‘Mal Kekulu’ – the duet ‘Bindu Bindu Kandulu’ sung with Shyami Fonseka, music directed by Sarath Dasanayake and lyrics by Somapala Leelananda.
Gration’s first solo playback was for the film ‘Bicycalaya’, a production of Rex Kodippili, with music directed by Stanley Peiris and lyrics by Bandara K. Wijethunga. It became a hit overnight and Gration was in demand in the film industry.
His first duet with veteran playback singer H. R. Jothipala was ‘Sihina Ahase’ of the film ‘Newatha Hamuwemu’ which was voiced for Sanath Gunathilake. He sang duets with famous names from Latha Walpola to Uresha Ravihari, H. R. Jothipala, Milton Mallawarachchi, Vijaya Kumaratunga to Freddie Silva. His playback singing for actors included Gamini Fonseka and Vijaya, but was mostly for Sanath Gunathilake.
Veteran film director K. A. W. Perera offered Gration the opportunity to direct music for the first time for his film ‘Durga’ in 1985. For this, Gration was nominated in the best music director category at the Sarasaviya film awards that year. Neela Wickramasinghe being awarded the best female singer in the same festival for the song “Rasa musu wu pem kalpana”for the same film was also significant.
Gration directed music for approximately 20 teledramas and film productions such as the famous theme song “Adara seenuwa”for the teledrama ‘Pramada wediya”.
He went on to win the Best Singer at the Sarasaviya film awards in 1993 and 2006 and other awards in his long career.
Gration who created many melodious creations passed away on December 29, 2010. His children have chosen similar professions – Mario too creates melodious music, lyrics and runs his own production house while Dulanjali is an English news anchor and assistant producer at Rupavahini’s Channel Eye.
The documentary can be viewed on Mario’s Youtube Channel.