by Kalinga Weerakkody
Hettiarachchige Lawrence Reginald Jothipala the once popular singer was born on 12th Feb. 1936 at Dematagoda, Colombo 9 and received his education at Lawrence College, Maradana. His father was a tailor. ‘Jothi’ as he was popularly called took his father’s lunch to the tailoring shop. Sometimes he spent more time listening to songs over the radio in a nearby tea kiosk, delaying his lunch for which he got a beating.

Even at school Jothipala was punished by his teacher for neglecting his studies. Despite the beatings the continued to listening to music and songs at the tea kiosk.

Jothipala’s father was H. R. Jamis. His mother H. K. P. Perera. He was the eldest of a family of six children, four sisters and two boys, a brother younger to him.

The family depended on the earnings of the father. Jothipala once complained that he did not have a suit for the New Year and his cries made his grandmother sew him a pair of shorts with a cheeththa cloth length she was been given for the New Year.

In spite of all these drawbacks he determinedly pursued his practice of listening to songs and singing.

And slowly and surely he achieved his ambition as a singer and earned name and fame and the boy who cried for a new pair of trousers finally became one of Sri Lanka’s popular singers.

He also travelled abroad to entertain expatriate Sri Lankans in the Middle East, Italy, Canada and England during many New Year seasons.

Jothipala’s love for music affected his educational career despite his mother taking him to St. John’s College, Nugegoda for studies.

The desk in his school contained empty tins which were his dola. To escape the scoldings from his parents Jothipala went Matara to stay with his grandfather.

His parents concern about Jothi’s education brought him home and admitted him to Industrial School near Nalanda Maha Vidyalaya. But he was there only for two months.

He was in love with music. Where there was a musical show Jothipala was there near the stage listening with great interest.

At that time Rukmani Devi, Eddie Jayamanne and Mohideen Baig were top notch entertainers.

One day Jothipala after viewing a film at the Empire theatre had visited the Silverphone recording studio where he watched the recording of songs by artistes like Mohideen Baig, Latha Walpola, Vivian de Silva Borelassa, and a few others. In one of his visits to Silverphone Studio he met Maurice Dahanayake and told him about his desire to record a song resulting in him being allowed to accompany Vasantha Sandanayake in the song ‘Mahaweliye Nadiye Asabada’, only to sing one word ‘Thotiyo’ (Oarsman) in the Sinhala a song based on the Hindi film ‘Baiju Baura’ sung by Mohammed Rafi.

He also appeared on sponsored programmes over radio, including over the Amateur Hour promoted by Bushell’s coffee and recorded at Parakrama Hall in Thimbirigasyaya and won the first place.

He also appeared on the ‘Jayagrahaka Pelapali’ programme of the SLBC. During visits to the SLBC he met reputed tabla player Nadaraja, violinist Rocksamy and T. F. Latif the clarinetist who all helped him to sing at musical shows islandwide.

Jothipala was also associated with R. A. Chandrasena who composed music for the film. ‘Surathali’ screened in 50s.

Angeline Goonethileke was the most famous duet partner for playback songs and Jothipala had the fortune of singing with her on many many occasions.

Despite Jothipala’s rise to fame as a singer he remained simple and humble and always had the common touch and willingly sang at charity shows.

H. R. Jothipala is no more but will live for ever in the hearts of Sri Lankans.

‘Amaraneeya Jothi’ a biography of H. R. Jothipala authored by Ernest Waduge was launched at the Colombo Tower Hall to mark the late vocalist’s 15th death anniversary.

As a tribute to the famous singer 20 popular vocalists sang his favourite songs.