Pradeep Rangana

Pradeep was born on 12 November 1983 as the second in the family with an elder sister and a younger sister. His hometown is Weralupe, Rathnapura and studied at St. Thomas’s College, Bandarawela. A highly talented student in the school, Pradeep was good at sports like Cricket, Table Tennis, Badminton and Cadeting as well. He never missed a singing competition in school days, where he participated to all island folk singing competitions. He passed very well in Advanced level in biology stream and selected to medical faculty of University of Ruhuna.[1]

With the help of his undergraduate friends in the third year of medical faculty, Pradeep reached to the Sirasa Superstar, season 2 competition, which gained enormous popularity with the grand finale in season 1. He reached to the season 2 finale contested with his fellowmate Surendra Perera. On October 31, 2007, where the grand finale was held at Sugathadasa Stadium, Pradeep won the second title of Sirasa Superstar with a car worth over Rs.3.8 million and a Rs. 1 million as the top winner's prize.[3] Pradeep is known for his excellent whistling ability performed during the competition, particularly in Sihina ahase,[4] Sanda moduwela,[5] and Madu mala lesa[6] songs.

Pradeep married his long time partner Chathurika Prasadini on 2 August 2015. The two first met in a party when Pradeep was doing Advanced level. As said by Chathurika, their relationship is known to extend 11 years until marriage. Chathurika has two elder brothers and a younger brother.[7][8]

After becoming Superstar, Pradeep got enormous popularity across the island, which led to launch his first album with the name Aadambarakari. The official DVD launch was held on March 31, 2009, at R.Premadasa Stadium, with the inauguration of Sirasa Superstar, season 3.[9][10]

At the age of 8, Pradeep made his first song, which was written to his father. He finished 12 songs before he start his singing career with Superstar.[11]

Pradeep won gold award for the Most Popular Music Video 2014 at Derana Music Video Awards 2014 to his solo hit Pem Sihine.[12] This win gave him to release his next single in March 2016 with the title Pem Sihine 2 - Mayawi.[13]

On 12 February 2008, a musical show Pradeep and Friends in Concert was scheduled at the BMICH at 7.00pm. The show was organized by the Ruhuna Medical School Alumni Association (RUMSAA) in aid of Ruhuna Medical Faculty, which is Rangana's faculty.[14] However, the show was delayed and finally held on April 8, 2008 at the BMICH at 7.00pm.[15] On 1 June 2008, Rangana performed with his fellow Super Stars 12 finalists in season II in aid of the 'Help Samitha' Fund' at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium at 6.00 pm. Samitha Samanmali was a 4th year medical undergraduate of the Colombo Medical Faculty who suffered a severe spinal cord injury at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall premises.[16]

He is one of three judges of Sirasa Junior Superstar reality competition, which was started on 8 October 2017.