Freddie Silva

Freddie Silva
Born (1938-05-18)May 18, 1938
Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Died October 29, 2001(2001-10-29) (aged 63)
Rawatawatte, Sri Lanka
Nationality Sri Lankan
Other names Halpeliyanage Morris Joseph de Silva
Occupation Actor, Playback Singer
Years active 1963-2002
Religion Roman Catholic
Spouse(s) Kamala Silva (died), Manel Chandralatha
Children Janesh Silva (died) ,Chandani Silva

Freddy Silva (1938–2001), was a Sri Lankan film actor, and a playback singer, who appeared from 1973 until 2002. Freddie is known as the most popular Sri Lankan comedian of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He appeared in over 450 films ( of which 300 were screened at the celebration of fifty years in Sinhala Cinema).[1]

Biography

Early life

Silva was born Halpeliyanage Morris Joseph de Silva in Puvakaramba, Moratuwa an only child. Silva's father was an overseer for the Moratuwa Urban Council and his mother was a member of Salvation Army. Growing up he was fascinated with singing and dancing.[2]

Musician

In the 1950s Silva performed the Alanson Mendis composition "Bar Bar Bar" in front of Sir John Kotelawala and was warmly received. He used this opportunity to get a letter of recommendation from Kotelawala which he presented to Livy Wijemanne of Radio Ceylon to secure a job as a radio artist.[2]

Silva's first recording was "Mottapala." He followed the song with "Bar Bar Bar" now updated with music by P. L. A. Somapala. It was a success. Subsequent efforts teamed Silva with the late Premakirthi de Alwis. Their work include comedic songs like "Aron Mama", "Pankiritta", "Nedeyo", "Handa Mama", "Kekille Rajjuruwo" and "Parana Coat" (from Lokuma Hinawa). Silva's crowning achievement is considered the tune "Kundumani."[2]

Actor

Silva got his first screen role through a chance meeting with K. A. W. Perera in 1963. At that time he was living with H. R. Jothipala and Roy de Silva and frequented parties as a guest entertainer. Perera cast Silva in Suhada Sohoyuro alongside L. S. Ramachandran and Vijitha Mallika. He appeared at a dance on the beach singing "Diya rella verale hapi hapi" and went on to be cast in mainly comedic roles.[2]

The serious side of Silva was seen in Sekaya (1965), Lasanda (1974) and Sukiri kella (1975). In the 1975 film he played a mentally handicapped character and in preparation for the role lived with a real handicapped boy in Koralawella.[2]

By the 1980s, producers were reluctant to make a film without Silva fearing that the movie would flop. He was then living an extravagant life and saved little. In 1989 Silva was awarded the Ranathisara award by leading film weekly Sarasaviya. A turning moment came when his friend Vijaya Kumaratunga (who he appeared alongside in ten films the last being Yukthiyada Shakthiyada) was murdered. He cites this event as leading to the downfall of cinema. Still Silva stayed busy appearing in 15 of the 26 films made in 1992.[2]

By the late-'90s Silva received no work and lived in poverty with a pension of 2000 rupees from the Sri Lankan Film Corporation. He called his home a broken down garage that served as bed room, living room and kitchen on Emmanuel Church Road, Rawatawatte. Silva died on 29 October 2001.[2]

Family

Freddie Silva was a father of two children, his son Janesh Silva, was also an actor and a singer. He died on June 10, 2012 while he was taking medical treatments for cancer. Janesh Silva is known as a comedian that acted in 10+ films.[3][4][5] Freddie's daughter Chandani Silva is a singer and actress. She is currently working to keep his father and brother's legacy.[6]

Filmography

Year Film Role
1963 Suhada Sohoyuro
1965 Sepatha Soya
1966 Seethala Wathura
1966 Mahadena Muththa
1969 Paara Walalu
1970 Ohoma Hodada
1971 Samanala Kumariyo samaga Api Kawadath Soorayo
1972 Sujeewa
1973 Haddinnath Tharu
1973 Sunethra
1973 Dahakin Ekak
1973 Hondata Hondai
1974 Lasanda
1974 Duleeka
1974 Kasthuri Suwanda
1974 Dinum Kanuwa
1974 Sheela
1974 Sihasuna
1974 Shanthi
1974 Jeewana Ganga
1975 Oba Mamai
1975 Sukiri Kella
1975 Sadhana
1976 Rajagedara Paraviyo
1975 Mage Nandi Shyama
1976 Hariyata Hari
1976 Kolamba Sanniya
1976 Haaratha Hathara
1976 Aasha
1974 Unnath Daahai Malath Daahai
1976 Ran Thilakaa
1976 Adarei Man Adarei
1977 Maruwan Samaga Waase
1977 Tom Pachayaa
1977 Hithuwakkarayo
1977 Siri Madaara
1977 Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai
1977 Niluka
1977 Chin Chin Nona
1977 Saja
1977 Sithaka Suwanda
1978 Sasara
1978 Maduwanthi
1978 Siripathula
1978 Apsara
1978 Deepanjali
1979 Samanmalee
1979 Minisun Athara Minisek
1979 Muwan Pelessa
1979 Rose Mal Thunak
1979 Akke Mata Awasara
1979 Subhani
1979 Nuwan Renu
1979 Wisihathara Peya
1979 Hari Pudumai
1980 Silva
1980 Adara Rathne
1981 Geethika
1981 Anjaana
1981 Amme Mata Samawenna
1982 Miss Mallika 1982
1982 Kadawunu Poronduwa New
1983 Sumithuro
1983 Chandi Siriya
1983 Hasthi Viyaruwa
1984 Ara Soyza
1987 Yugayen Yugayata
1987 Thaththi Man Adarei
1987 Yukthiyada Shakthiyada
1987 Raja Wedakarayo
1987 Ran Dam Wel
1987 Obatai Priye Adare
1987 Ahinsa
1989 Mamai Raja
1988 Newa Gilunath Bandchun
1988 Rasa Rahasak
1988 Gedara Budun Amma
1988 Amme Oba Nisa
1988 Angulimaala
1988 Durga
1988 Satana
1988 Newatha Api Ekwemu
1988 Chandingeth Chandiya
1989 Badulu Kochchiya
1989 Nommara 17
1989 Obata Rahasak Kiyannam
1989 Randenigala Sinhaya
1990 Sambudu Mahima
1990 Dese Mal Pipila
1990 Thanha Aasha
1990 Dedunnen Samanaliyak
1990 Walavuve Haamu
1990 Pem Raja Dahana
1991 Paaraadeesaya
1991 Bambara Kalape
1991 Love In Bangkok
1992 Sathya
1992 Jaya Siri We Kumariya
1992 Kadiraa
1993 Jooriya Mamai
1993 Sarjant Nallathambi
1993 Surayan Athara Veeraya
1993 Mewila Penevi Roope
1994 Okkoma Hodatai Himself
1995 Inspector Geetha
1995 Pudumai Eth Aththai
1995 Vairayen Vairaya
1995 Cheriyo Captain
1996 Sura Daruwo
1996 Manamohini
1996 Sihina Vimane Rajakumari
1996 Cheriyo Darling
1997 Raagaye Unusuma
1997 Soorayo Wedakaarayo
1999 Kolompoor
2001 Jolly Halo
2001 Oba Kohida Priye
2001 Pissu Pooso
2002 Parliament Jokes
2002 Pissu Double

As Producer

Year Film Director
1994 Okkomta Hodatai

Songs

References

  1. ↑ "National Film Corporation of Sr Lanka about Freddie Silva". NFC Sri Lanka. 2016. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Freddie Silva: He took our breath away and we did not care". Info Lanka. 2002. Retrieved 2007-02-29. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  3. ↑ http://www.ceylontoday.lk/13-7744-news-detail-actor-janesh-silva-no-more.html
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH2y2xXONqo
  5. ↑ http://www.english.gossiplankanews.com/2014/08/cancer-risk-factors-and-behaviour-of.html
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kynQGmpAoQ

External links

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