Pandith Amaradeva
Encyclopedia
Wannakuwatta Mitiwaduge Don Albert Perera (Sinhala:වන්නකුවට්ට මිටිවඩුගේ දොන් ඇල්බට් පෙරෙරා) (born December 5, 1927 in Moratuwa
, Sri Lanka
), better known by his adopted name Amaradeva, is a Sri Lankan vocalist and musical composer. Primarily using traditional instruments like sitars, tablas and harmoniums, Amaradeva incorporates Sinhala folk music with Indian ragas in his work.
In the mid-1950s, Amaradeva in his Janagayana project consulted experts of the Kandyan dance tradition like Pani Bharata, 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, Amaradeva 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 practiced subsequently by artists like Victor Ratnayake
, Sunil Edirisinghe
and Sanath Nandasiri
.
Pandit Amaradeva has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Philippine Ramon Magsaysay Award
(2001), Indian Padma Sri Award and Sri Lankan "President's Award of Kala Keerthi" (1986) and Deshamanya
Award (1998). He has also represented Sri Lanka in many forums including the UNESCO
1967 Manila
Symposium
, and composed the melody for the Maldives
national anthem, Gaumii salaam
, at the request of British Queen Elizabeth II
in 1972.
Wannakuwatta Waduge Don Ginoris Perera and Balapuwaduge Maggie Weslina Mendis at Janapriya Mawatha in Koralawella, Moratuwa. Perera was a Buddhist while Mendis was a Methodist bringing both Christian and Buddhist values to the family.
Amardeva was introduced to music at a young age by his father who crafted and repaired violin
s at moratumulla wadu kaarmika vidyalaya. Amaradeva would often strum the violin while his mother sang hymns. Another family influence was Amaradeva's elder brother who taught Indian classical music
to him. Amaradeva was presented with his own instrument on his seventh birthday which was a Japan
ese made tin violin by his father.
He obtained his early education under Ven. Malalankara Nayaka of the Koralawella temple. With the development of his musical talent, Amaradeva was asked to recite poems and prayers at the temple; he was subsequently picked to lead the village choir.
Amaradeva continued his studies at Sri Saddharmoday, a Buddhist Mixed School. While attending the school, he won a poetry
contest held at the Moratuwa Vidyalaya; Amaradeva also led the school choir to a triumpant showing at a contest held by the Colombo Arts Society. His poetry win prompted school teachers to get him a showcase to recite poetry on Radio Ceylon
. In 1945 Amaradeva won a gold medal at a music and violin contest held by Jana Kala Mandalaya.
Amaradeva entered Sri Sumangala College
, Panadura
after completing his primary education with a scholarship
for English. At the school, he formed a friendship with the Principal Danister Thomas Fernando (D. T. Fernando
). D. T. Fernando helped Amaradeva get into Kalutara Vidyalaya
and subsequently Siddharta Vidyalaya Balapitiya.
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 recognizing Amaradeva's skill enlisted him as the top violinist in his orchestra.
Amardeva left his studies and accompanied Ghouse to India
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."
, where his unique vision and talent could be exhibited to an audience wider than he had ever before known - earning him a position at the Bhatkhande Music Institute in Lucknow
, India
. After extensive training, Albert returned to Sri Lanka
as Pandit Wannakuwatta mitiwaduge 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 of what 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 indigenous folk music
with the India
n ragas he had studied in Lucknow, thereby giving expression to a more sophisticated cadence.
His other innovations include his experimentation with Western
harmonies
and counterharmonies, as well as with South Indian and Tamil
musical forms. His opus, however, remains the work he did with Sri Lanka's celebrated lyricist
Mahagama 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
(Ran Muthu Duwa, Gam Peraliya, Ransalu, Delovak Athara, Gatavarayo, Rena Girav, Thunman Handiya, etc.), theatre
(Wessantara, etc.), radio
and television
, and has sung over one thousand songs.
Amaradeva, and wife Wimala, have one son (Ranjana Amaradeva), and two daughters (Subhani Amaradeva, herself a talented vocalist, and Priyanvada Amaradeva).
Moratuwa
Moratuwa is a city on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, near Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia. It is situated on the Galle–Colombo main highway, 18 km south of the capital, Colombo. Moratuwa is surrounded on three sides by water, except in the north of the city, by the Indian Ocean on the west...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
), better known by his adopted name Amaradeva, is a Sri Lankan vocalist and musical composer. Primarily using traditional instruments like sitars, tablas and harmoniums, Amaradeva incorporates Sinhala folk music with Indian ragas in his work.
In the mid-1950s, Amaradeva in his Janagayana project consulted experts of the Kandyan dance tradition like Pani Bharata, 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, Amaradeva 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 practiced subsequently by artists like Victor Ratnayake
Victor Ratnayake
Victor Ratnayake is a popular Sri Lankan musician. He was the first Sri Lankan musician to hold a live one man concert; His concert known as "SA" was first performed in 1973, and was an instant success...
, Sunil Edirisinghe
Sunil Edirisinghe
Patikirige Sunil Jayapreethi Edirisinghe is a critically acclaimed Sri Lankan classical musician....
and Sanath Nandasiri
Sanath Nandasiri
Professor Sanath Nandasiri is a critically acclaimed Sri Lankan classical musician.Nandasiri has received several awards for his compositions; he composed the music to Sandamalige Kathawa, the first TV serial on Rupavahini.-Early life and education:Nandasiri was born to businessman and building...
.
Pandit Amaradeva has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Philippine Ramon Magsaysay Award
Ramon Magsaysay Award
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in government, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is often considered Asia's Nobel...
(2001), Indian Padma Sri Award and Sri Lankan "President's Award of Kala Keerthi" (1986) and Deshamanya
Deshamanya
Deshamanya is the second highest Sri Lankan national honour awarded by the Government of Sri Lanka as a civil honour.It is conventionally used as a title or prefix to the awardee's name....
Award (1998). He has also represented Sri Lanka in many forums including the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
1967 Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
Symposium
Symposium
In ancient Greece, the symposium was a drinking party. Literary works that describe or take place at a symposium include two Socratic dialogues, Plato's Symposium and Xenophon's Symposium, as well as a number of Greek poems such as the elegies of Theognis of Megara...
, and composed the melody for the Maldives
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
national anthem, Gaumii salaam
Gaumii salaam
Qaumii Salaam is the current national anthem of the Maldives. The lyrics were written by Muhammad Jameel Didi in 1948, and the melody was composed by Sri Lankan maestro Pandit Wannakuwattawaduge Don Amaradeva in 1972....
, at the request of British Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
in 1972.
Early life and education
Amaradeva was born the youngest of seven children to carpenterCarpenter
A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
Wannakuwatta Waduge Don Ginoris Perera and Balapuwaduge Maggie Weslina Mendis at Janapriya Mawatha in Koralawella, Moratuwa. Perera was a Buddhist while Mendis was a Methodist bringing both Christian and Buddhist values to the family.
Amardeva was introduced to music at a young age by his father who crafted and repaired violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
s at moratumulla wadu kaarmika vidyalaya. Amaradeva would often strum the violin while his mother sang hymns. Another family influence was Amaradeva's elder brother who taught Indian classical music
Indian classical music
The origins of Indian classical music can be found in the Vedas, which are the oldest scriptures in the Hindu tradition. Indian classical music has also been significantly influenced by, or syncretised with, Indian folk music and Persian music. The Samaveda, one of the four Vedas, describes music...
to him. Amaradeva was presented with his own instrument on his seventh birthday which was a Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese made tin violin by his father.
He obtained his early education under Ven. Malalankara Nayaka of the Koralawella temple. With the development of his musical talent, Amaradeva was asked to recite poems and prayers at the temple; he was subsequently picked to lead the village choir.
Amaradeva continued his studies at Sri Saddharmoday, a Buddhist Mixed School. While attending the school, he won a poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
contest held at the Moratuwa Vidyalaya; Amaradeva also led the school choir to a triumpant showing at a contest held by the Colombo Arts Society. His poetry win prompted school teachers to get him a showcase to recite poetry on Radio Ceylon
Radio Ceylon
Radio Ceylon is the oldest radio station in Asia. Broadcasting was started on an experimental basis in Ceylon by the Telegraph Department in 1923, just three years after the inauguration of broadcasting in Europe.- Edward Harper :...
. In 1945 Amaradeva won a gold medal at a music and violin contest held by Jana Kala Mandalaya.
Amaradeva entered Sri Sumangala College
Sri Sumangala College
Sri Sumangala College, in Panadura, Sri Lanka, was founded on March 3, 1909 at in memory of Ven.Weligama Sri Sumangala Thero, who played an important role in Sri Lankan Buddhism. It is one of the oldest schools in the country. It is a national school, i.e., it is controlled by the central...
, Panadura
Panadura
- History :The historic debate 'Panadura Vadaya' was held in this place which is a milestone of the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka with the initiative of the ven. Migettuwaththe Gunananda Thera.- People and Culture :Panadura is home to about 100,000 citizens...
after completing his primary education with a scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
for English. At the school, he formed a friendship with the Principal Danister Thomas Fernando (D. T. Fernando
D. T. Fernando
Danister Thomas Fernando is a pioneer Sri Lankan lyricist. Some of the pioneers, whose names most people could not even remember were honoured. The oldest lyricist, D. T. Fernando, was a forgotten name....
). D. T. Fernando helped Amaradeva get into Kalutara Vidyalaya
Kalutara Vidyalaya National School, Kalutara
Kalutara Vidyalaya National School is one of the major schools in the Kalutara District of Sri Lanka. It was founded by Sir Cyril De Zoysa in 1941 as the twin school to Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya.- History :...
and subsequently Siddharta Vidyalaya Balapitiya.
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 recognizing Amaradeva's skill enlisted him as the top violinist in his orchestra.
Amardeva left his studies and accompanied Ghouse to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
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."
Career
He found steady work as an artist on Radio CeylonRadio Ceylon
Radio Ceylon is the oldest radio station in Asia. Broadcasting was started on an experimental basis in Ceylon by the Telegraph Department in 1923, just three years after the inauguration of broadcasting in Europe.- Edward Harper :...
, where his unique vision and talent could be exhibited to an audience wider than he had ever before known - earning him a position at the Bhatkhande Music Institute in Lucknow
Lucknow
Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh in India. Lucknow is the administrative headquarters of Lucknow District and Lucknow Division....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. After extensive training, Albert returned to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
as Pandit Wannakuwatta mitiwaduge Don Amaradeva.The name Amaradeva which translates as Immortal god was given to him by Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra
Ediriweera Sarachchandra
Ediriweera Sarachchandra was an Sri Lankan playwright, novelist, poet, literary critic, essayist and social commentator. Considered Sri Lanka's premier playwright, he was a senior lecturer at the University of Peradeniya for many years and served as Sri Lankan Ambassador to France .- Early...
(Sri Lanka's foremost playwright and a close associate).
During this time, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
(then Ceylon) had only begun emerging as an independent nation, and the question of what 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 indigenous folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
with the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n ragas he had studied in Lucknow, thereby giving expression to a more sophisticated cadence.
His other innovations include his experimentation with Western
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
harmonies
Harmony
In music, harmony is the use of simultaneous pitches , or chords. The study of harmony involves chords and their construction and chord progressions and the principles of connection that govern them. Harmony is often said to refer to the "vertical" aspect of music, as distinguished from melodic...
and counterharmonies, as well as with South Indian and Tamil
Music of Tamil Nadu
Music of Tamil Nadu has a long tradition and history going back thousands of years. Music is a very important aspect of the culture of the Tamil people. The musical tradition evolved over a period of centuries into the classical Carnatic music and the more popular film music.-Ancient music:The...
musical forms. His opus, however, remains the work he did with Sri Lanka's celebrated lyricist
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
Mahagama 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
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
(Karadiya, Nala Damayanthi, etc.), film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
(Ran Muthu Duwa, Gam Peraliya, Ransalu, Delovak Athara, Gatavarayo, Rena Girav, Thunman Handiya, etc.), theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
(Wessantara, etc.), radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, and has sung over one thousand songs.
Amaradeva, and wife Wimala, have one son (Ranjana Amaradeva), and two daughters (Subhani Amaradeva, herself a talented vocalist, and Priyanvada Amaradeva).
Honors
- Officier (officer) in the Ordre des Arts et des LettresOrdre des Arts et des LettresThe Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is an Order of France, established on 2 May 1957 by the Minister of Culture, and confirmed as part of the Ordre national du Mérite by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963...
(Order of Arts and Letters) from the French government (2003) - The Ramon Magsaysay AwardRamon Magsaysay AwardThe Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in government, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is often considered Asia's Nobel...
of the Philippines (2001) - Title of DeshamanyaDeshamanyaDeshamanya is the second highest Sri Lankan national honour awarded by the Government of Sri Lanka as a civil honour.It is conventionally used as a title or prefix to the awardee's name....
form the government of Sri Lanka (1998) - Title of Kala Keerthi form the government of Sri Lanka (1986)
- Padma Sri Award from IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
Music director
| Year | Film | Other notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Ran Muthu Duwa | debut as music director |
| 1963 | Adata Wadiya Heta Hondai | songs only |
| Sikuru Tharuwa Sikuru Tharuwa Sikuru Tharuwa is a 1963 Sri Lankan drama written by P. K. D Seneviratne. It was developed by the Kurulu Rana group that attempted to make original movies pertaining to Sinhalese culture.-Plot:... |
one song and background music | |
| Gamperaliya Gamperaliya Gamperaliya is a novel written by Sri Lankan writer Martin Wickremasinghe and first published in 1944.... |
||
| Getawarayo Getawarayo Getawarayo is a 1964 Sri Lankan drama film starring Gamini Fonseka.The movie won the Best Director and Best Film awards at the 1965 Sarasaviya Film Festival.- Plot :... |
||
| 1965 | Saama | background music |
| Laa Dalu | ||
| Saravita | ||
| Adarayai Karunawai | ||
| 1966 | Delovak Athara Delovak Athara Delovak Athara is a 1966 Sri Lankan drama film directed by Lester James Peries. The film stars Tony Ranasinghe as Nissanka, the son of a newly rich industrialist, who becomes embroiled in a murder cover-up.... |
|
| Westhuru Siritha | ||
External links
- Find Music of Pandith W.D. Amaradeva
- 'Amara Sath Sara' - a tribute to Maestro Amaradeva
- Amaradeva - Master and Maestro
- Sinhala Songs Repository - Amaradeva
- Songs of Amaradeva
- Lyrics of Amaradeva
- Discover Sri Lanka Page
- Citation for 2001 Ramon Magsaysay Award
- Amaradeva bags two more awards
- Listen to Amaradevas Songs on Request Here
- Amaradeva - The Actor
- W.D.Amaradewa - බ්ලිව්.ඩී.අමරදේව On line song collection