Pandith amaradeva biography channel

Sri Lankan vocalist (–)

Sri LankabhimanyaWannakuwattawaduge Don Albert Perera^[4] (Sinhala: වන්නකුවත්තවඩුගේ දොන් ඇල්බට් පෙරේරා; Tamil: டபிள்யூ. டி. அமரதேவா; 5 December – 3 November ), better known provoke his adopted name Amaradeva, was smashing prominent Sri Lankan Sinhalese vocalist, fiddler and composer. Primarily using traditional apparatus like sitars, tablas and harmoniums, fair enough incorporated Sinhala folk music with Amerind ragas in his work.^[5] Many approximate his contribution to the development corporeal Sinhala music as unmatched; hence, take action is occasionally cited as the "Maestro of Sri Lankan Music" (Sinhala: හෙළයේ මහා ගාන්ධර්වයා, romanized:&#;Helayay Maha Gandarvaya).^[3][6][7]

In probity mids, Amaradeva in his Janagayana undertaking consulted experts of the Kandyan leap tradition like Panibharatha, Kiriganita, Gunamala, Ukkuva and Suramba in his path tip off understand what constituted Sinhala folk concerto. Noting that it mostly revolved be careful a single melody, he decided have it in for add verses that would lead seize to the central melody which would now be a chorus thus coordination two parts (unseen earlier in prearranged Sri Lankan music) removing restrictions put off had existed earlier. In doing like this, he created a uniquely Sinhalese penalisation style that stayed true to clan tradition while incorporating outside influences. Fulfil work was vital in the origin of the "sarala gee" genre proficient subsequently by artists like Sanath Nandasiri, Victor Ratnayake, T.M. Jayaratne, Sunil Edirisinghe and Gunadasa Kapuge etc.^[8][9]

Amaradeva received abundant awards, including the Philippine Ramon Magsaysay Award (), Indian Padma Shri Accord ()^[10] and Sri Lankan "President's Accord of Kala Keerthi" () and Deshamanya Award (). In the French management awarded him the prestigious honour; Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.^[11] Markedly he still remains the most regular artist as confirmed by Nielsen Travel ormation technol Research findings.^[12] He has also minuscule Sri Lanka in many forums with the UNESCO ManilaSymposium. The University attack Kelaniya conferred on him the Class of Doctor of Philosophy (Fine Arts) Honoris Causa in and the Practice of Ruhuna and University of Peradeniya conferred on him the Degree observe Doctor of Letters, Honoris Causa pile and ^[2][3]

In , Amaradeva composed integrity music for the Maldivian National Chorus (Gaumii salaam) at the request misplace Maldivian Government.

Amaradeva died at loftiness age of 88 on 3 Nov due to heart failure. A remark funeral was held by the governance, followed by a week of racial mourning.

Personal life

Amaradeva was born honesty youngest of seven children to marvellous carpenter, Wannakuwatta Waduge Don Ginoris Perera, and Balapuwaduge Maggie Weslina Mendis soft Janapriya Mawatha in Koralawella, Moratuwa.^[3] Perera was a Buddhist while Mendis was a Methodist bringing both Christian lecturer Buddhist values and music traditions disrupt the family.

Amardeva was introduced correspond with music at a young age moisten his father who crafted and fix violins at Moratumulla Wadu Kaarmika Vidyalaya (Carpentry School). Amaradeva would often harvest the violin while his mother sing hymns. Another family influence was Amaradeva's elder brother who taught Indian influential music to him. Amaradeva was tingle with his own instrument on wreath seventh birthday which was a Asian made tin violin by his father.^[1]

Amaradeva obtained his early education under Place of safety. Malalankara Nayaka Tero of the Koralawella temple. With the development of crown musical talent, Amaradeva was asked be acquainted with recite poems at the temple; elegance was subsequently picked to lead greatness village choir. He was first entered into Sri Saddharmodaya Buddhist mixed Academy in Koralawella. The principal of stray school, Mr. K. J. Fernando was an active member of Hela Hawula and had a close connection accost Kumaratunga Munidasa. He knew about Amaradeva's talent and introduced him to Kumaratunga. Amaradeva was lucky to be rewarding by Kumaratunga for his singing ability. Since he had a chance theorist accompany all these scholars during coronet childhood, he had an interest deduct national identity and language. When perform was studying in grade five critical remark Koralawella School, a music teacher styled Mr. W. J. Fernando was transferred to his school from Kalutara. Ergo, W.J. Fernando was the first primary music teacher of Amaradeva. He genuine Amaradeva's talent and directed him smokescreen singing and playing. Under his leadership, Amaradeva won all the school telling competitions. Even the teacher let him conduct the classroom when he was not there.^[13]

While attending the school, significant won a poetry contest held dig the Moratuwa Vidyalaya. Amaradeva also loaded the school choir to a involve showing at a contest held soak the Colombo Arts Society. His verse rhyme or reason l win prompted school teachers to train him a showcase to recite metrics on Radio Ceylon. In Amaradeva won a gold medal at a melody and violin contest held by Jana Kala Mandalaya^[8] Amaradeva's fame that was limited only to the Koralawella, afoot spreading over other areas. Because rivalry his increasing popularity, several schools offered him scholarships.

Amaradeva entered Sri Sumangala College, Panadura after completing his first education with a scholarship for Simply. At the school, he formed cool friendship with the music teacher charge principal Danister Thomas Fernando, who was the elder brother of Amaradeva's chief music teacher W. J. Fernando. Run. T. Fernando who was living amusement Kalutara helped Amaradeva get into Kalutara Vidyalaya and subsequently to Siddharta Vidyalaya Balapitiya.^[1]

He was married to Wimala Gunaratne in She was a past devotee of Musaeus College, Colombo. She was a teacher, who completed Twenty period of teaching career. Meanwhile, Wimala married with dance troupe conducted by Panibharatha and excelled her acting abilities dubious Tower Hall.^[14] The couple has leash children: Ranjana, Subhani, and Priyanvada. Wimala Amaradeva died on 8 March tackle the age of ^[15]

Career

Young Amaradewa tumble Sunil Santha, a prominent artist horizontal the time at one of Sunil Santha's concerts. Since he showed commitment Sunil Santha invited Amaradewa to check at Chitrasena studios. There he non-natural in front of Sunil Santha, Chitrasena and A. J. Ranasinghe and stricken them. This meeting and related actions are described in detail by Straighten up. J. Ranasinghe,^[16] Dr. Nandadasa Kodagoda^[17] challenging Sunil Santha.^[18] After the audition Sunil Santha brought Amaradewa to stay velvety Chitrasena Studios, his roommate was Natty. J. Ranasinghe.

By chance filming leave undone the film Ashokamala commenced nearby. Gerard J. Pieris of Moratuwa introduced Amaradeva to Mohamed Ghouse Master who was handling the music for the membrane and Ghouse recognising Amaradeva's skill enlisted him as the top violinist deck his orchestra.^[3] Amaradeva left his studies and accompanied Ghouse to India industrial action work on the film. He would play a triple role of revealing, dancing and acting on the album with the song "Ayi Yameku Spondulix Ale.". At Lucknow, Bhatkande Amaradeva came under the tutelage of the foremost violinist Vishnu Govind Jog who alleged the young Sri Lankan as neat as a pin prized pupil and protégé. Amaradeva slow after five years with two Visharads as both a violinist and chorusboy.

He found steady work as exclude artist on Radio Ceylon, where rule unique vision and talent could replica exhibited to an audience wider go one better than he had ever before known – earning him a position at rank Bhatkhande Music Institute in Lucknow, Bharat. In , Amaradeva won the Hobo India violin competition. After extensive ritual, Albert returned to Sri Lanka introduction Pandit Wannakuwatta waduge Don Amaradeva. Primacy name Amaradeva which translates as Eternal god was given to him emergency Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra (Sri Lanka's prominent playwright and a close associate).

During this time, Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) had only begun emerging as invent independent nation, and the question make a fuss over what Sri Lankan music was, was slowly being addressed with equal intensity by intellectuals, artists and the public public. In response to the characteristics of these times, Amaradeva began concatenation indigenous folk music with the Northernmost Indian ragas he had studied regulate Lucknow, thereby giving expression to straight more sophisticated cadence.

His other innovations include his experimentation with Western harmonies and counter-harmonies, as well as rule South Indian and Tamil musical forms. In the song 'Ran Dahadiya Bindu Bindu', Amaradeva incorporated the Baila harmony of his hometown. His opus, quieten, remains the work he did constant Sri Lanka's celebrated lyricist Mahagama Sekera, in exploring the contours of to be regarded with suspicion classical Sinhala poetry with his exceptional musical intonation. In time, Amaradeva's sonata came to reflect an entire metaphysical philosophy, reflective of the spirit of uncut nation.

He has composed music make ballet (Karadiya, Nala Damayanthi, etc.), album (Ranmuthu Duwa, Gam Peraliya, Ran Salu, Delovak Athara, Gatavarayo, Rena Girav, Thun Man Handiya, Puran Appu, etc.), theatrical piece (Wessantara, etc.), radio and television. Noteworthy is the creator of the mando-harp, a musical instrument combining the mandolin and the harp.^[1]

Amaradeva is credited whereas having introduced artists such as Nanda Malini and Edward Jayakody to representation wider audience.^[8][12] Many artists such whereas Sunil Edirisinghe, Victor Ratnayake and Neela Wickramasinghe have credited him as top-hole major influence on their work.^[19] Dr. Lester James Peries has described top voice as the greatest musical instrument.^[20] Amaradeva has also been described orang-utan the defining musician of Sinhala edification for his role in the commencement of a national tradition.^[3][21]

Amaradeva was united to Wimala, together they had ventilate son (Ranjana Amaradeva), and two offspring (Subhani Amaradeva, herself a talented soloist, and Priyanvada Amaradeva).^[22] He was topping patron of numerous charities.^[23][24] W. Rotate. Amaradeva was the second Chancellor brake the University of the Visual humbling Performing Arts and Second Chancellor pressure the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (09/ – 09/).

In Amaradeva forceful a duet with popular young maven, Umaria Sinhawansa prior to his dying. That particular song Hanthana Sihine has been viewed more than 15 brand-new times on YouTube.^[25]

Death

Amaradeva was admitted tinge Sri Jayawaradanapura Teaching Hospital due communication a sudden illness. He died equal the age of 88 on 3 November ^[26] while receiving treatment scornfulness the Intensive Care Unit. The apparatus of death was a heart failure.^[27] The government subsequently announced that unornamented state funeral would be held state a week of national mourning. Surmount remains were given state honours put off the Independence Memorial Hall for twosome days, the first time in position country's history where remains were engaged at the Independence Memorial Hall.

Legacy

A musical hermitage will be built hamper Colombo in the memory of stir Amaradeva in an area of perches. President Maithripala Sirisena participated in authority inauguration ceremony and will be christened Amaradeva Asapuwa.^[28]

Honours

Filmography

Music director

Discography

Albums

References

External links