Chitral Somapala facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chitral Somapala
චිත්‍රාල් සෝමපාල
Somapala performing live with Civilization One, 2008
Born	Chandana Chitral Somapala (1966-11-04) 4 November 1966 (age 58) Colombo, Sri Lanka
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Other names	Chity Somapala
Occupation	singer, musician
Parents	P. L. A. Somapala (father) Chithra née Perera (mother)
Musical career
Genres	Hard rock rhythm and blues heavy metal power metal
Instruments	Vocals, keyboards, chapman stick, bass guitar
Years active	1986–present
Labels	Allister Records Omega Records EMI Dwell Records MTM Music Massacre Records Century Media Records Metal Heaven LMP MEntertainment
Associated acts	Power Quest Civilization One Rekuiem Red Circuit Firewind Avalon Faro

Chandana Chitral Somapala (born 4 November 1966), also known as Chity Somapala, is a famous Sri Lankan singer and music director. He is well-known for his powerful voice in hard rock and heavy metal music. He has worked with many popular European bands like Firewind, Power Quest, and Civilization One. In Sri Lanka, he became very popular with his Sinhala song "Nadee Ganga" in 1998.

About Chitral Somapala

Chitral Somapala was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka. His parents, P. L. A. Somapala and Chithra née Perera, were also talented musicians. They were music directors and producers. Chitral even remade one of his parents' songs, "Dambulu Gale". He has three brothers named Prasanna, Rohan, and Nalin, and one sister named Piumi.

Chitral went to Isipathana College in Colombo. This is a well-known school for boys. While at school, he was active in sports. He played cricket, football (soccer), and hockey.

Chitral's Music Journey

Chitral Somapala started his music career in Sri Lanka. He joined a band called Shock. This band was known for using computers to make music. In 1986, Chitral toured Europe with a band called Rendesvouz. Later, in 1996, he joined a German metal band named Court Jester. They released an album called Forced II Believe, which was liked by many in Europe.

In 1998, Chitral released his hit song "Nadee Ganga". This song was first made for a TV ad for Lion Beer. It was based on the tune of "Many Rivers to Cross" by Jimmy Cliff. Chitral sang it in Sinhala with a hard rock and metal style.

Joining Avalon

Chitral became the lead singer for Avalon, a German power metal band. Their music was produced by Charlie Bauerfeind, a famous German sound engineer. Avalon was already well-known in the underground music scene. Their third album, Vision Eden, got great reviews around the world.

Avalon toured with big bands like HammerFall, Uriah Heep, and Metallica. In 2000, Chitral worked on Avalon's fourth album, Eurasia. On this album, he also played the chapman stick. This is a special electric musical instrument. Avalon mixed different styles of metal music, making their sound unique. After touring with Metalium, Avalon decided to stop making music together.

Singing with Firewind

Chitral Somapala singing with Rekuiem in 2009

In 2002, Chitral created "Greenland's Theme". This song was for his old school, Isipathana College, for their rugby championships. Later that year, he started a rock band called Faro. They released two albums, Dawn of Forever and Angelost. In 2003, Chitral recorded an album with the Swedish band Moonlight Agony.

At the end of 2003, Chitral joined Firewind. They went on a tour in Japan in 2004. The tour was a big success. Firewind's guitarist, Gus G, asked Chitral to join the band permanently. They worked together on Firewind's third album, Forged by Fire. This album became a top 100 hit in Japan. After touring with Hammerfall in 2005, Chitral left Firewind.

Starting Civilization One

In 2006, Chitral Somapala formed his own band called Civilization One. He wanted to create music with strong guitar riffs and beautiful classical sounds. The band quickly gained attention. They performed at the PogPower UK Pre-Party in 2007.

The band's members changed over time. Chitral and bassist Pierre-Emmanuel Pelisson stayed. New guitarists and a drummer joined the band. In 2008 and 2009, Civilization One performed in Colombo, Sri Lanka. They were the main act at the TNL Onstage Finals. This was the first time a western-style heavy metal band played such a big show in Sri Lanka.

Their first album, Revolution Rising, was recorded in different countries. Their second album, Calling the Gods, was finished in 2012.

Other Music Projects

Chitral Somapala has worked with many other bands and artists. From 2002 to 2016, he recorded with the German band Red Circuit. He also worked with the British band Rekuiem from 2008 to 2012. In 2010, Chitral joined the British power metal band Power Quest. He was part of their album Blood Alliance.

Chitral also composed and sang "Dreams of Fire". This was the Olympic theme song for MTV Sri Lanka. He also created and sang "Believing the Dream", the official Cricket World Cup song for MTV. In 2017, he released a music video called "Sinha Lokaye Sinhaya". In 2019, he released a DVD and Blu-ray of his concert "Lalithakala".

Music for Movies

Chitral Somapala has also created music for films. He has worked with famous filmmakers like Chandran Ratnam. His movie songs have won international and national awards. Some of his original songs for Sri Lankan movies include:

• "Aherenna" from the film Let Her Cry
• "Man Adareyi" from Me Wage Adarayak
• "Miringuwa Parada"
• "Sihinaya Pupura Yai" from Dedunu Akase

Chitral has performed as a solo singer with the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra. He won the Best Playback Vocalist award in 2017 for "Aharenna". He won the same award again in 2018 at the Presidential Awards Ceremony.

Discography

• 1996 – Court Jester – "Forced To Believe"
• 1998 – Avalon – Vision Eden
• 2000 – Avalon – Eurasia
• 2003 – Faro – Dawn of Forever
• 2004 – Firewind – Forged By Fire
• 2006 – Faro – Angelost
• 2007 – Civilization One – Revolution Rising
• 2009 – Red Circuit – Homeland
• 2011 – Power Quest – Blood Alliance
• 2012 – Chitral Somapala – "Photographic Breath"
• 2012 – Civilization One – Calling the Gods
• 2014 – Chitral Somapala - "Sinhabumi"
• 2014 – Red Circuit - "Haze of Nemesis"
• 2018 – Chitral Somapala - "Dambulugale"

Filmography