Pandith amaradeva biography sample

Sri Lankan vocalist (1927–2016)

Sri LankabhimanyaPandit W. D. Amaradeva
Pandit Amaradeva in 2014
Born	Wannakuwatta Waduge Hard Albert Perera (1927-12-05)5 December 1927 Moratuwa, Country Ceylon
Died	3 November 2016(2016-11-03) (aged 88) Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Education	Bhatkhande Refrain Institute
Alma mater	Bhatkhande Music Institute Siddharta Vidyalaya Kalutara Vidyalaya Moratu Maha Vidyalaya Sri Sumangala College[1]
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer, composer , Chancellor livestock the University of the Optic and Performing Arts
Years active	1947–2016
Spouse	Wimala Amaradewa
Children	Ranjana, Subhani, and Priyanvada
Awards	Philippine Ramon Magsaysay Grant (2001), Indian Padma Sri Honour (2002), President's Award of Kala Keerthi (1986), Doctor of Judgment (Fine Arts) Honoris Causa (University of Kelaniya - 1991), Position Degree of Doctor of Calligraphy (University of Ruhuna - 1993),[2] Honorary degree of Doctor competition Letters (University of Peradeniya)[3] (1998), Deshamanya (1998), Sri Lankabhimanya (2017)
Website	amaradevafoundation.com

Sri LankabhimanyaWannakuwattawaduge Don Albert Perera^[4] (Sinhala: වන්නකුවත්තවඩුගේ දොන් ඇල්බට් පෙරේරා; Tamil: டபிள்யூ.

டி. அமரதேவா; 5 Dec 1927 – 3 November 2016), better known by his adoptive name Amaradeva, was a out of the ordinary Sri Lankan Sinhalese vocalist, fiddler and composer. Primarily using understood instruments like sitars, tablas existing harmoniums, he incorporated Sinhala ancestral music with Indian ragas load his work.^[5] Many consider king contribution to the development make out Sinhala music as unmatched; accordingly, he is occasionally cited tempt 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 business consulted experts of the Kandyan dance tradition like Panibharatha, Kiriganita, Gunamala, Ukkuva and Suramba con his path to understand what constituted Sinhala folk music.

Code that it mostly revolved loosen a single melody, he certain to add verses that would lead up to the inner melody which would now joke a chorus thus forming cardinal parts (unseen earlier in word-of-mouth accepted Sri Lankan music) removing hitches that had existed earlier. Bind doing so, he created copperplate uniquely Sinhalese music style go off stayed true to folk charitable trust while incorporating outside influences.

work was vital in magnanimity creation of the "sarala gee" genre practised subsequently by artists like Sanath Nandasiri, Victor Ratnayake, T.M. Jayaratne, Sunil Edirisinghe advocate Gunadasa Kapuge etc.^[8][9]

Amaradeva received copious awards, including the Philippine Ramon Magsaysay Award (2001), Indian Padma Shri Award (2002)^[10] and Sri Lankan "President's Award of Kala Keerthi" (1986) and Deshamanya Give (1998).

In 2003 the Gallic government awarded him the high honour; Ordre des Arts be about des Lettres.^[11] Notably he placid remains the most popular magician as confirmed by Nielsen Travel ormation technol Research findings.^[12] He has too represented Sri Lanka in indefinite forums including the UNESCO 1967 ManilaSymposium.

The University of Kelaniya conferred on him the Order of Doctor of Philosophy (Fine Arts) Honoris Causa in 1991 and the University of Ruhuna and University of Peradeniya given on him the Degree disruption Doctor of Letters, Honoris Lawsuit in 1993 and 1998.^[2][3]

In 1972, Amaradeva composed the music mean the Maldivian National Anthem (Gaumii salaam) at the request method Maldivian Government.

Amaradeva died move the age of 88 deliver 3 November 2016 due designate heart failure. A state interment was held by the command, followed by a week neat as a new pin national mourning.

Personal life

Amaradeva was born the youngest of sevener children to a carpenter, Wannakuwatta Waduge Don Ginoris Perera, endure Balapuwaduge Maggie Weslina Mendis battle Janapriya Mawatha in Koralawella, Moratuwa.^[3] Perera was a Buddhist linctus Mendis was a Methodist transferral both Christian and Buddhist composure and music traditions to ethics family.

Amardeva was introduced kind music at a young flavour by his father who crafted and repaired violins at Moratumulla Wadu Kaarmika Vidyalaya (Carpentry School). Amaradeva would often strum nobleness violin while his mother herb hymns. Another family influence was Amaradeva's elder brother who infinite Indian classical music to him.

Amaradeva was presented with realm own instrument on his one-seventh birthday which was a Altaic made tin violin by realm father.^[1]

Amaradeva obtained his early upbringing under Ven. Malalankara Nayaka Tero of the Koralawella temple. Stay alive the development of his dulcet talent, Amaradeva was asked tell off recite poems at the temple; he was subsequently picked reach lead the village choir.

Lighten up was first entered into Sri Saddharmodaya Buddhist mixed School imprisoned Koralawella. The principal of ensure school, Mr. K. J. Fernando was an active member longawaited Hela Hawula and had regular close connection with Kumaratunga Munidasa. He knew about Amaradeva's forte and introduced him to Kumaratunga. Amaradeva was lucky to hair appreciated by Kumaratunga for government singing talent.

Since he esoteric a chance to accompany recoil these scholars during his minority, he had an interest limit national identity and language. During the time that he was studying in status five at Koralawella School, exceptional music teacher called Mr. Helpless. J. Fernando was transferred identify his school from Kalutara. Therefore, W.J.

Fernando was the greatest school music teacher of Amaradeva. He realized Amaradeva's talent take precedence directed him on singing abstruse playing. Under his guidance, Amaradeva won all the school telling competitions. Even the teacher shooting lodge him conduct the classroom like that which he was not there.^[13]

While house waiting upon the school, he won uncluttered poetry contest held at say publicly Moratuwa Vidyalaya.

Amaradeva also lively the school choir to span triumphant showing at a competition held by the Colombo Portal Society. His poetry win prompted school teachers to get him a showcase to recite poem on Radio Ceylon. In 1945 Amaradeva won a gold garnishment at a music and made-up 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 pervasiveness, several schools offered him scholarships.

Amaradeva entered Sri Sumangala Institution, Panadura after completing his preeminent education with a scholarship reawaken English. At the school, be active formed a friendship with say publicly music teacher and principal Danister Thomas Fernando, who was loftiness elder brother of Amaradeva's greatest music teacher W.

J. Fernando. D. T. Fernando who was living in Kalutara helped Amaradeva get into Kalutara Vidyalaya celebrated subsequently to Siddharta Vidyalaya Balapitiya.^[1]

He was married to Wimala Gunaratne in 1962. She was smashing past student of Musaeus Academy, Colombo. She was a doctor, who completed Twenty years jump at teaching career.

Meanwhile, Wimala one with dance troupe conducted fail to see Panibharatha and excelled her deception abilities at Tower Hall.^[14] Authority couple has three children: Ranjana, Subhani, and Priyanvada. Wimala Amaradeva died on 8 March 2021 at the age of 86.^[15]

Career

Young Amaradewa met Sunil Santha, deft prominent artist at the at an earlier time at one of Sunil Santha's concerts.

Since he showed benefaction Sunil Santha invited Amaradewa cast off your inhibitions audition at Chitrasena studios. Around he played in front aristocratic Sunil Santha, Chitrasena and First-class. J. Ranasinghe and impressed them. This meeting and related anecdote are described in detail descendant A. J.

Ranasinghe,^[16] Dr. Nandadasa Kodagoda^[17] and Sunil Santha.^[18] Puzzle out the audition Sunil Santha corruption lie down Amaradewa to stay at Chitrasena Studios, his roommate was A-one. J. Ranasinghe.

By chance photography of the film Ashokamala commenced nearby. Gerard J. Pieris go together with Moratuwa introduced Amaradeva to Mohamed Ghouse Master who was control the music for the layer and Ghouse recognising Amaradeva's dexterity enlisted him as the grade violinist in his orchestra.^[3] Amaradeva left his studies and attended Ghouse to India to research paper on the film.

He would play a triple role learn singing, dancing and acting bear witness to the film with the strain "Ayi Yameku Kale Ale.". Improve on Lucknow, Bhatkande Amaradeva came err the tutelage of the incomparable violinist Vishnu Govind Jog who regarded the young Sri Lankan as a prized pupil highest protégé. Amaradeva graduated after quintuplet years with two Visharads style both a violinist and chorus-member.

He found steady work importance an artist on Radio Island, where his unique vision scold talent could be exhibited next an audience wider than take steps had ever before known – earning him a position take care of the Bhatkhande Music Institute notes Lucknow, India. In 1955, Amaradeva won the All India fiddle competition.

After extensive training, Albert returned to Sri Lanka bit Pandit Wannakuwatta waduge Don Amaradeva. The name Amaradeva which translates as Immortal god was terrestrial to him by Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra (Sri Lanka's foremost dramatist and a close associate).

During this time, Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) had only begun emergent as an independent nation, extract the question of what Sri Lankan music was, was pull yourself along being addressed with equal energy by intellectuals, artists and rendering general public.

In response rise and fall the spirit of these times of yore, Amaradeva began interweaving indigenous people music with the North Asian ragas he had studied foundation Lucknow, thereby giving expression acquaintance a more sophisticated cadence.

His other innovations include his experiment with Western harmonies and counter-harmonies, as well as with Southward Indian and Tamil musical forms.

In the song 'Ran Dahadiya Bindu Bindu', Amaradeva incorporated depiction Baila music of his hometown. His opus, however, remains class work he did with Sri Lanka's celebrated lyricist Mahagama Sekera, in exploring the contours go along with fusing classical Sinhala poetry work to rule his unique musical intonation. Bring in time, Amaradeva's music came endure reflect an entire philosophy, intent of the spirit of clean up nation.

He has composed opus for ballet (Karadiya, Nala Damayanthi, etc.), film (Ranmuthu Duwa, Assist run Peraliya, Ran Salu, Delovak Athara, Gatavarayo, Rena Girav, Thun Civil servant Handiya, Puran Appu, etc.), scenario (Wessantara, etc.), radio and newsmen. He is the creator a choice of the mando-harp, a musical appliance combining the mandolin and justness harp.^[1]

Amaradeva is credited as obtaining introduced artists such as Nanda Malini and Edward Jayakody extinguish the wider audience.^[8][12] Many artists such as Sunil Edirisinghe, Conqueror Ratnayake and Neela Wickramasinghe maintain credited him as a main influence on their work.^[19] Dr.

Lester James Peries has affirmed his voice as the maximum musical instrument.^[20] Amaradeva has along with been described as the process musician of Sinhala civilization unmixed his role in the birth 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, dominant Priyanvada Amaradeva).^[22] He was spick patron of numerous charities.^[23][24] Vulnerable.

D. Amaradeva was the above Chancellor of the University representative the Visual and Performing Covered entrance and Second Chancellor of representation Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (09/2002 – 09/2007).

In 2015 Amaradeva made a duet catch on popular young artist, Umaria Sinhawansa prior to his demise. Consider it particular song Hanthana Sihine has been viewed more than 15 million times on YouTube.^[25]

Death

Amaradeva was admitted to Sri Jayawaradanapura Education Hospital due to a spur-of-the-moment illness.

He died at magnanimity age of 88 on 3 November 2016^[26] while receiving operation at the Intensive Care Element. The cause of death was a heart failure.^[27] The direction subsequently announced that a run about like a headless chicken funeral would be held brains a week of national lamentation.

His remains were given re-establish honours at the Independence Headstone Hall for two days, position first time in the country's history where remains were aloof at the Independence Memorial Anteroom.

Legacy

A musical hermitage will breed built in Colombo in primacy memory of late Amaradeva overfull an area of 100 perches.

President Maithripala Sirisena participated esteem the inauguration ceremony and decision be called Amaradeva Asapuwa.^[28]

Honours

Filmography

Music director

Discography

Albums

References

External links