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| Saturday, 19 January 2002 |
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Features | |
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Rohana : The melody master Undoubtedly, he is the musician of the new generation. Quite unassuming but talented, Rohana Weerasinghe who needs no introduction for his contribution towards the local music scene, now celebrates 30 years in the field.
Affectionately called 'melody master', Rohana is one of the giants in this field who had made an immense contribution to improve the quality of Sinhala music in recent years. Melodies he has created cover a wide range from classical ragas to more popular tunes like Ajuthapara la hila based on Portuguese kaffirinja and Yamuna Gan Thera of Nanda Malini. Rohana's creations have been sung by almost every singer in the country today, including veterans such as Pundit Amaradeva, Nanda Malini, Victor Ratnayake, Edward Jayakody and T. M. Jayaratne. It is evident that most of the memorable Sinhala songs released in the 1980s and afterwards have been his creations. Rohana started as a radio singer in 1971 and as a sitar player in Victor Ratnayake's orchestra in the early 70s, but he came to the limelight in the 80s. He is a musician who has conquered every artistic field from film to teledrama. The Year 1991 was especially significant for Rohana. He grabbed the best music award for all performing arts in Sri Lanka - stage, cinema and television. It was an achievement which is unlikely to be surpassed. He was adjudged the best music director at two consecutive State Drama Festivals for Thalamala Pipila (1988) and Magatha (1980). He also received accolades for music in the films Aradhana (1980) and Adara Hasuna (1983). In 1990, he created a record when he won an award for the best music in the film Saharawe Sihinaya at three top ceremonies - Swarna Sanka, Sarasaviya and OCIC. It is notable that the music for many popular contemporary songs has been composed by Rohana. His identity is clearly marked on every melody which give a fresh sensation for music lovers. "Just because one has a degree or diploma in music, he cannot become a melody maker. Making tunes that appeal to the people is a different task and we have only less than 25 melody makers of that calibre in Sri Lanka. Rohana, undoubtedly is one of them," added Prof. Ariyaratne. While all the big names have sung for Rohana, one name stands out - Sunil Edirisinghe. The collaboration of these two have paved a memorable musical path for local fans. Rohana's colleagues have organised a musical feast next month to mark Rohana's 30th anniversary at the BMICH on a grand scale. A book compiled on Rohana's contribution to the local music scene will also be launched next month. ================================= 'Subha Saha Yasa' returns to former regal glory After a lapse of several years, "Subha Saha Yasa" (new production), a Sinhala drama by veteran artiste Simon Navagathegama will go on the boards next week at the Elphinstone Theatre, Maradana. This drama is based on a historic incident when Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka. The drama revolves around two persons - one inherits the crown by birth and the other later becomes King with the consent of the former.
"There are many requests for this drama to be re-staged. So I decided to present it with new faces," Navagathegama explains. The drama also carries a contemporary value as the topics being discussed can occur at any time and reflect the sufferings of life, says Navagathegama.
The cast comprises Jayalath Manoratne, Sriyantha Mendis, Vijaya Nandasiri, Srinath Maddumage, Kusum Renu, Samadara Ariyawansa, Lasika Malwattage, Ratne D. Nambuge, Amaradasa Thalgahagoda etc. The premiere of this drama will be held on January 24 at 6.30 pm at the Elphinstone Theatre while two more special shows will be staged at the same venue at 3.30 and 6.30 pm on January 30. |
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Produced by Lake House |
"He is a creative man and a fountain
of melodies who has successfully surpassed his contemporaries in the music field,"
says veteran artiste Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne about Rohana who had entertained local music
lovers for over three decades through his lilting music melodies. 
This drama, first staged two decades ago,
became very popular. It was staged almost 3,000 times. 
However, he laments that the drama had not
been subjected to proper criticism. "No critic was able to criticise this drama in a
deep and proper manner." 
