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Nation's most distinguished musician Amaradeva passes away
Sri Jayawardene Hospital sources information announced the bereavement of Dr. W.D. Amaradeva who was admitted this morning in an ailing condition. He was 88 years of age at the
time of his death.
The great musician was born on December 5th in 1927 in Moratuwa and his birth name was Albert Perera. He holds the priority position among those who contributed a unique service to the field of Sinhala music. It was he who was responsible for the musical creation of the national anthem of the Maldive Islands. Dr. Amaradeva who was honoured in the Philippines, India and France was credited with distinguished awards of Sri Lanka Deshamanya, Kala Keerthi and several other tributes. He is the father of three children.
Amaradeva was the youngest in a family of six and it was from his father that he had his initial influence in music from childhood itself. One of his elder brothers happened to be a teacher of Indian classical music. Amaradeva had his education at Sri Saddharmodaya mixed school and it was at Panadura Sri Sumangala College that he had his secondary education. Subsequently he entered Kalutara Vidyalaya and Balapitiya Siddhartha Vidyalaya.
During the time the film 'Asokamala' was being shot, the music master of that film Mohamad Ghouse who was its music director engaged Amaradeva as the chief violin player for his music group. Actually the name 'Amaradeva' was coined for him by Professor Ediriweera Sarachchandra. Amaradeva who pursued his education at Bhathkanda Music Campus in Lucknow later came to his motherland Sri Lanka and was attached to the Sri Lanka Radio Corporation. The knowledge of upcountry dance exponents such as Pani Bharatha, Kiriganitha, Gunamala, Ukkuwa and Suramba was extracted for the purpose of consolidating Lankan folk music for his folk songs project towards the middle of 1950. Amaradeva who realised that that the music pattern had been woven around one single melody only then took steps in adding lyrics which would go hand in hand with a central cadence. At that point he dismissed certain limitations imposed at that time. As such Amaradeva was successful in bringing forth a folk music culture which identified Sinhala music which was influenced by external forces. Later on he contributed in creating a special type of simple songs which were made use of by artistes such as Victor Ratnayaka, Sunil Edirisingha and Sanath Nandasiri.
Amaradeva had the distinction of claiming awards such as the Philippine Ramon Magsasay Award (2001), India's Padma Shri Award and Sri Lanka Kala Keerthi Presidential Award (1986) and the Deshamanya Award (1998). In addition, for having contributed to the UNESCO Manila Symposium in 1967 and creating the melody "Gavum Salam" the Maldivevian national anthem at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth in 1972 he was able to signal the Sri Lankan identity within the international arena.
Amaradeva was an honourable artiste who nourished the field of Sinhala music through Uttar Bharath Rangadari music. He was someone who was able to combine classical music instruments like the sitar, tabla and harmonium and thus make it a part and parcel of his creations in relation to Sinhala folk music and Bharath Janamula music. Details about the final rites of the great musician is expected to be notified later.
time of his death.
The great musician was born on December 5th in 1927 in Moratuwa and his birth name was Albert Perera. He holds the priority position among those who contributed a unique service to the field of Sinhala music. It was he who was responsible for the musical creation of the national anthem of the Maldive Islands. Dr. Amaradeva who was honoured in the Philippines, India and France was credited with distinguished awards of Sri Lanka Deshamanya, Kala Keerthi and several other tributes. He is the father of three children.
Amaradeva was the youngest in a family of six and it was from his father that he had his initial influence in music from childhood itself. One of his elder brothers happened to be a teacher of Indian classical music. Amaradeva had his education at Sri Saddharmodaya mixed school and it was at Panadura Sri Sumangala College that he had his secondary education. Subsequently he entered Kalutara Vidyalaya and Balapitiya Siddhartha Vidyalaya.
During the time the film 'Asokamala' was being shot, the music master of that film Mohamad Ghouse who was its music director engaged Amaradeva as the chief violin player for his music group. Actually the name 'Amaradeva' was coined for him by Professor Ediriweera Sarachchandra. Amaradeva who pursued his education at Bhathkanda Music Campus in Lucknow later came to his motherland Sri Lanka and was attached to the Sri Lanka Radio Corporation. The knowledge of upcountry dance exponents such as Pani Bharatha, Kiriganitha, Gunamala, Ukkuwa and Suramba was extracted for the purpose of consolidating Lankan folk music for his folk songs project towards the middle of 1950. Amaradeva who realised that that the music pattern had been woven around one single melody only then took steps in adding lyrics which would go hand in hand with a central cadence. At that point he dismissed certain limitations imposed at that time. As such Amaradeva was successful in bringing forth a folk music culture which identified Sinhala music which was influenced by external forces. Later on he contributed in creating a special type of simple songs which were made use of by artistes such as Victor Ratnayaka, Sunil Edirisingha and Sanath Nandasiri.
Amaradeva had the distinction of claiming awards such as the Philippine Ramon Magsasay Award (2001), India's Padma Shri Award and Sri Lanka Kala Keerthi Presidential Award (1986) and the Deshamanya Award (1998). In addition, for having contributed to the UNESCO Manila Symposium in 1967 and creating the melody "Gavum Salam" the Maldivevian national anthem at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth in 1972 he was able to signal the Sri Lankan identity within the international arena.
Amaradeva was an honourable artiste who nourished the field of Sinhala music through Uttar Bharath Rangadari music. He was someone who was able to combine classical music instruments like the sitar, tabla and harmonium and thus make it a part and parcel of his creations in relation to Sinhala folk music and Bharath Janamula music. Details about the final rites of the great musician is expected to be notified later.