 | This articlemay containunverified orindiscriminate information inembedded lists. Please helpclean up the lists by removing items or incorporating them into the text of the article.(December 2017) |
W. D. Amaradeva | |
|---|---|
 Pandit Amaradeva in 2014 | |
| Born | Wannakuwatta Waduge Don Albert Perera (1927-12-05)5 December 1927 |
| Died | 3 November 2016(2016-11-03) (aged 88) |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Education | Bhatkhande Music Institute |
| Alma mater | Bhatkhande Music Institute Siddharta Vidyalaya Kalutara Vidyalaya Moratu Maha VidyalayaSri Sumangala College[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer, composer , Chancellor of theUniversity of the Visual and Performing Arts |
| Years active | 1947–2016 |
| Spouse | Wimala Amaradewa |
| Children | Ranjana, Subhani, and Priyanvada |
| Awards | PhilippineRamon Magsaysay Award (2001), IndianPadma Sri Award (2002), President's Award ofKala Keerthi (1986), Doctor of Philosophy (Fine Arts) Honoris Causa (University of Kelaniya - 1991), The Degree of Doctor of Letters (University of Ruhuna - 1993),[2] Honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (University of Peradeniya)[3] (1998),Deshamanya (1998),Sri Lankabhimanya (2017) |
| Website | amaradevafoundation |
Sri LankabhimanyaWannakuwattawaduge Don Albert Perera[4] (Sinhala:වන්නකුවත්තවඩුගේ දොන් ඇල්බට් පෙරේරා;Tamil:டபிள்யூ. டி. அமரதேவா; 5 December 1927 – 3 November 2016), better known by his adopted nameAmaradeva, was a prominent Sri Lankan Sinhalese vocalist, violinist and composer. Primarily using traditional instruments likesitars,tablas andharmoniums, he incorporated Sinhala folk music with Indianragas in his work.[5] Many consider his contribution to the development of Sinhala music as unmatched; hence, he is occasionally cited as the "Maestro of Sri Lankan Music" (Sinhala:හෙළයේ මහා ගාන්ධර්වයා,romanized: Helayay Maha Gandarvaya).[3][6][7]
In the mid-1950s, Amaradeva in his Janagayana project consulted experts of the Kandyan dance tradition likePanibharatha, Kiriganita, Gunamala, Ukkuva and Suramba in his path to understand what constituted Sinhala folk music. Noting that it mostly revolved around a single melody, he decided to add verses that would lead up to the central melody which would now be a chorus thus forming two parts (unseen earlier in traditional Sri Lankan music) removing restrictions that had existed earlier. In doing so, he created a uniquely Sinhalese music style that stayed true to folk tradition while incorporating outside influences. His work was vital in the creation of the "sarala gee" genre practised subsequently by artists likeSanath Nandasiri,Victor Ratnayake,T.M. Jayaratne,Sunil Edirisinghe andGunadasa Kapuge etc.[8][9]
Amaradeva received numerous awards, including the PhilippineRamon Magsaysay Award (2001), IndianPadma Shri Award (2002)[10] and Sri Lankan "President's Award of Kala Keerthi" (1986) andDeshamanya Award (1998). In 2003 the French government awarded him the prestigious honour;Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.[11] Notably he still remains the most popular artist as confirmed by Nielsen Media Research findings.[12] He has also represented Sri Lanka in many forums including theUNESCO 1967ManilaSymposium. TheUniversity of Kelaniya conferred on him the Degree ofDoctor of Philosophy(Fine Arts) Honoris Causa in 1991 and theUniversity of Ruhuna andUniversity of Peradeniya conferred on him the Degree ofDoctor of Letters,Honoris Causa in 1993 and 1998.[2][3]
In 1972, Amaradeva composed the music for theMaldivian National Anthem (Gaumii salaam) at the request of Maldivian Government.
Amaradeva died at the age of 88 on 3 November 2016 due to heart failure. A state funeral was held by the government, followed by a week of national mourning.
Amaradeva was born the youngest of seven children to acarpenter, Wannakuwatta Waduge Don Ginoris Perera, and Balapuwaduge Maggie Weslina Mendis at Janapriya Mawatha in Koralawella,Moratuwa.[3] Perera was aBuddhist while Mendis was aMethodist bringing both Christian and Buddhist values and music traditions to the family.
Amardeva was introduced to music at a young age by his father who crafted and repairedviolins at Moratumulla Wadu Kaarmika Vidyalaya (Carpentry School). Amaradeva would often strum the violin while his mother sanghymns. Another family influence was Amaradeva's elder brother who taughtIndian classical music to him. Amaradeva was presented with his own instrument on his seventh birthday which was a Japanese made tin violin by his father.[1]
Amaradeva obtained his early education under Ven. Malalankara Nayaka Tero of the Koralawella temple. With the development of his musical talent, Amaradeva was asked to recite poems at the temple; he was subsequently picked to lead the village choir. He was first entered into Sri Saddharmodaya Buddhist mixed School in Koralawella. The principal of that school, Mr. K. J. Fernando was an active member of Hela Hawula and had a close connection with Kumaratunga Munidasa. He knew about Amaradeva's talent and introduced him to Kumaratunga. Amaradeva was lucky to be appreciated by Kumaratunga for his singing talent. Since he had a chance to accompany all these scholars during his childhood, he had an interest in national identity and language. When he was studying in grade five at Koralawella School, a music teacher called Mr. W. J. Fernando was transferred to his school from Kalutara. Hence, W.J. Fernando was the first school music teacher of Amaradeva. He realized Amaradeva's talent and directed him on singing and playing. Under his guidance, Amaradeva won all the school singing competitions. Even the teacher let him conduct the classroom when he was not there.[13]
While attending the school, he won a poetry contest held at the Moratuwa Vidyalaya. Amaradeva also led the school choir to a triumphant showing at a contest held by the Colombo Arts Society. His poetry win prompted school teachers to get him a showcase to recite poetry onRadio Ceylon. In 1945 Amaradeva won a gold medal at a music and violin contest held by Jana Kala Mandalaya[8] Amaradeva's fame that was limited only to the Koralawella, started spreading over other areas. Because of his increasing popularity, several schools offered him scholarships.
Amaradeva enteredSri Sumangala College,Panadura after completing his primary education with a scholarship for English. At the school, he formed a friendship with the music teacher and principalDanister Thomas Fernando, who was the elder brother of Amaradeva's first music teacher W. J. Fernando. D. T. Fernando who was living in Kalutara helped Amaradeva get intoKalutara Vidyalaya and subsequently to Siddharta Vidyalaya Balapitiya.[1]
He was married to Wimala Gunaratne in 1962.[14] The couple has three children: Ranjana, Subhani, and Priyanvada. Wimala Amaradeva died on 8 March 2021 at the age of 86.[15]
Young Amaradewa metSunil Santha, a prominent artist at the time at one of Sunil Santha's concerts. Since he showed interest Sunil Santha invited Amaradewa to audition at Chitrasena studios. There he played in front of Sunil Santha,Chitrasena and A. J. Ranasinghe and impressed them. This meeting and related events are described in detail by A. J. Ranasinghe,[16] Dr. Nandadasa Kodagoda[17] and Sunil Santha.[18] After the audition Sunil Santha brought Amaradewa to stay at Chitrasena Studios, his roommate wasA. J. Ranasinghe.
By chance filming of the film Ashokamala commenced nearby. Gerard J. Pieris of Moratuwa introduced Amaradeva to Mohamed Ghouse Master who was handling the music for the film and Ghouse recognising Amaradeva's skill enlisted him as the top violinist in his orchestra.[3] Amaradeva left his studies and accompanied Ghouse toIndia to work on the film. He would play a triple role of singing, dancing and acting on the film with the song "Ayi Yameku Kale Ale.". At Lucknow, Bhatkande Amaradeva came under the tutelage of the supreme violinist Vishnu Govind Jog who regarded the young Sri Lankan as a prized pupil and protégé. Amaradeva graduated after five years with two Visharads as both a violinist and vocalist.
He found steady work as an artist onRadio Ceylon, where his unique vision and talent could be exhibited to an audience wider than he had ever before known – earning him a position at theBhatkhande Music Institute inLucknow, India. In 1955, Amaradeva won the All India violin competition. After extensive training, Albert returned toSri Lanka asPandit Wannakuwatta waduge Don Amaradeva. The name Amaradeva which translates as Immortal god was given to him by Prof.Ediriweera Sarachchandra (Sri Lanka's foremost playwright and a close associate).
During this time,Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) had only begun emerging as an independent nation, and the question ofwhat Sri Lankan music was, was slowly being addressed with equal vigour by intellectuals, artists and the general public. In response to the spirit of these times, Amaradeva began interweaving indigenousfolk music with the North Indianragas he had studied in Lucknow, thereby giving expression to a more sophisticated cadence.
His other innovations include his experimentation with Westernharmonies and counter-harmonies, as well as withSouth Indian andTamil musical forms. In the song 'Ran Dahadiya Bindu Bindu', Amaradeva incorporated theBaila music of his hometown. His opus, however, remains the work he did with Sri Lanka's celebrated lyricistMahagama Sekera, in exploring the contours of fusing classical Sinhala poetry with his unique musical intonation. In time, Amaradeva's music came to reflect an entire philosophy, reflective of the spirit of a nation.
He has composed music for ballet (Karadiya, Nala Damayanthi, etc.), film (Ranmuthu Duwa,Gam Peraliya,Ran Salu,Delovak Athara, Gatavarayo, Rena Girav,Thun Man Handiya,Puran Appu, etc.), theatre (Wessantara, etc.), radio and television. He is the creator of the mando-harp, a musical instrument combining the mandolin and the harp.[1]
Amaradeva is credited as having introduced artists such asNanda Malini andEdward Jayakody to the wider audience.[8][12] Many artists such asSunil Edirisinghe,Victor Ratnayake andNeela Wickramasinghe have credited him as a major influence on their work.[19] Dr.Lester James Peries has described his voice as the greatest musical instrument.[20] Amaradeva has also been described as the defining musician of Sinhala civilization for his role in the creation of a national tradition.[3][21]
Amaradeva was married to Wimala, together they had one son (Ranjana Amaradeva), and two daughters (Subhani Amaradeva, herself a talented vocalist, and Priyanvada Amaradeva).[22] He was a patron of numerous charities.[23][24]W. D. Amaradeva was the secondChancellor of theUniversity of the Visual and Performing Arts and Second Chancellor of theWayamba University of Sri Lanka (09/2002 – 09/2007).
In 2015 Amaradeva made a duet with popular young artist,Umaria Sinhawansa prior to his demise. That particular songHanthana Sihine has been viewed more than 15 million times on YouTube.[25]
Amaradeva was admitted to Sri Jayawaradanapura Teaching Hospital due to a sudden illness. He died at the age of 88 on 3 November 2016[26] while receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit. The cause of death was a heart failure.[27] The government subsequently announced that a state funeral would be held with a week of national mourning. His remains were given state honours at theIndependence Memorial Hall for two days, the first time in the country's history where remains were kept at the Independence Memorial Hall.
A musical hermitage will be built inColombo in the memory of late Amaradeva in an area of 100 perches. PresidentMaithripala Sirisena participated in the inauguration ceremony and will be calledAmaradeva Asapuwa.[28]
| Year | Film | Other notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Ran Muthu Duwa | debut as music director |
| 1963 | Adata Wadiya Heta Hondai | songs only[31] |
| Sikuru Tharuwa | Ira Handa Paayana Loke | |
| Gamperaliya | ||
| Getawarayo | Aarichchi Borichchi | |
| 1965 | Saama | background music |
| Laa Dalu | ||
| Saaravita | ||
| Adarayai Karunawai | ||
| 1966 | Delovak Athara | |
| Westhuru Siritha | ||
| 1970 | Akkara Paha | [32] |
| 1981 | Valampuri |
Sinhala music | ||
|---|---|---|
| Male singers |
|  |
| Female singers |
| |
| Music directors |
| |
| Lyricists |
| |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
