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| Monday, 17 September 2001 |
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Letters | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Sports Obituaries
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Terrorism is not an act of God, but evil-minded-man made. There are two types of terrorism (i) naked terrorism like the one indulged in Sri Lanka and (ii) legalised terrorism commandeered by the powerful at their behest justified by usurped international tag like in Gaza Strip or in Iraq! Either of these evils begets evil. Time has come for all concerned to contemplate deeply and peacefully resolve to settle disputes with mutual respect to each other's point of view and in a spirit of give and take without sticking to ones selfish pound of flesh for sake of amity and peaceful co-existence and everybody's survival! For every evil under the sun, There is a remedy, or there is none; If there be one, try and find it, If there be none, yet mind it. W. SAMARNAYAKA-Maharagama. In some western countries, at the first signs of a drought, wastage of water like the use of hoses for washing cars or watering the garden, is banned. We, without so much as drinking water in several provinces, still allow the famous gemming to go on, which means that there is constant blasting of rocks underground, thus disturbing water levels; ejection of water from every gem pit every morning to enable the gemmers to get at the 'illang', very often bringing nothing worth looking at for months. The whole process keeps hopes alive, wells permanently dry, rivers polluted, and the otherwise unemployed and unemployable, happy. S. BANDARA-Pelmadulla. Many years ago, way back in the sixties, I was teaching at an institution in Panadura. One morning as I was about to commence my work, the Principal walked in with a gentleman of medium stature clad in national attire, and saying something to the effect that he has come to help us out with a song and she left the room. From under a set of shaggy eyebrows a pair of homely, innocent eyes beamed kindly at me and as I extended my hand in welcome I recognised him to be none other than the famous musician W.D. Amaradeva himself. Without much ado he made himself comfortable at the piano and after a few initial flourishes he started picking out a melody with his right hand while the left moved rhythmically in his inimitable style indicating the rise and fall of the music, the little crescendos and decrescendos right up to that exquisite, beautifully executed ritardando at the end which has become the hallmark of most of his songs. He sang as he played and the velvety richness of his melodious voice filled the room with its warmth of expression and clarity of tone. For the next few enchanted moments I listened enthraled, realising more than ever that there can never be any cultural barriers in good, wholesome music. We speak the same language, the language of the soul which is purely a spiritual experience. Thus I witnessed the birth of a song - 'Siri sumagul balika viduhal maani' - the school song gifted to Sri Sumangala Girls' School, Panadura by Pandit Amaradeva. After his demonstration he asked me to try it out, which I did with improvised harmony of my own. Smilingly he nodded his approval and left the room. As I look back on that day I realise how fortunate and privileged I have been to come into contact with this great personality, when for a few unforgettable minutes he was the teacher and I was the pupil. From the next day onwards his tuneful, simple song echoed throughout the halls of Sri Sumangala and I believe, up to this day, generations of Sumangalians would have sung it at assembly and all other school functions. In retirement now, living in the 'bliss of solitude', there is a picture that often 'flashes' upon the inward eye', which lies etched in my memory forever......With the drone of the rolling sea waves in the background I see rows and rows of white clad, fresh faced schoolgirls, gathered on the lawn, their neatly combed hair, tied back with wisps of red ribbon, gleaming in the morning sunshine, raising their girlish treble voices in unison to sing the song that the great maestro Amaradeva had bestowed on them as a tribute to their dear old school by the sea. Thank you, Sir, and may God bless you with long life, good health and happiness. Sheila Gunasekera -Moratuwa |
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