|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Saturday, 18 September 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Nawa's 20-year musical journey: Unhurried, creative and multifaceted
Today, Nawa has inscribed his name in local music, expanding his talent to almost every realm whether it is stage plays, films, teledramas or musical concerts. In short, his lilting melodies has won the hearts and minds of music lovers in this little country which has only a handful of talented musicians to be proud of. "It was not an easy journey," Nawa commented a week after he passed a landmark milestone in his musical career. Last Saturday, Nawa held his first music concert named "Sanda Eliyen Dothak" (A handful of Moon Rays) in his career spanning for two decades. This musical concert, the first by Nawa, marked a significant milestone for him. "Any musician would love to listen to the music composed by him for any medium whether stage plays, teledrama and films. It's really refreshing and also enables you to go into the depth of the creation again," says Nawa. "The concert was a huge success. It was a retrospective look at my creations for the last few years and I hope that it would help me to shed new light into the future," noted Nawa stressing it was not an ordinary felicitation ceremony. Nawa's musical concert comprised music he composed for stage plays, teledramas and films for the last seven years. A large number of veterans as well as emerging stars took part in this concert. Another unique feature of the concert was that it had been organised by his friends and well-wishers. "All my friends whom I met during this journey extended their assistance to make this event a success by bearing the responsibility of organising this event." Nawa first composed music for the Hiruwatha stageplay produced by the Panadura drama circle and the talent he showed in this drama enabled him to contribute to many stage plays by veterans in the following years. So far, Nawa has composed music for 10 films, 60 teledramas, 16 short teledramas and 30 stage plays. He had composed music for veterans like Victor Ratnayake and Nanda Malini and newcomers like Chamara Weerasinghe. A few years back, Nawa marked his entry to film music by directing music for Inoka Satyangani's Sulang Kirilli which earned critical acclaim. Nawa's creative and haunting melodies for several films drew much critical acclaim and response from listeners. Among the films which Nawa embellished aurally are Satkampa, Sudu Kaluwara, Ammawarune, Adaraneeya Wassanaya, Hela Langa and Sura Poria Asabada. Nawa recalled that the opportunity given to do music for three films which were all directed by young directors also marked a unique turning point in his musical career. However, Nawa lamented about the lack of assistance and encouragement to create worthy music. "In a world where everything has been commercialised, it is very difficult, but I always try my best to give priority for my creations. "That's Nawa for you - he had always given priority for his musical creations which in turn enabled him to earn his present reputation. At the musical concert, Nawa launched two CDs and cassettes containing Nawa's music and two books, one containing Nawa's musical notations and another giving critical views on his musical life. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
Nawaratne Gamage or Nawa as he is affectionately called by everyone in
and out of the music field has embarked upon an unhurried journey for
nearly two decades amidst many obstacles and challenges.
