Victor goes Cyber with a smile on his lips

"I have collected 49 strands of your hair. They are well preserved by me". This was a part of a letter a famous local singer received in the 1970s from a fan.

Although singers and musicians of the visharada type sporting long hair is a common sight today, there was only one in the Sinhala music scene at that time with a sparse though waist length flowing mane which eventually became his trademark.

Some of the fans who flocked to listen to his songs not only drank in his talent but also started collecting strands from his tresses. He is none other than Victor Ratnayake, the music maestro whose melodious voice with its soft timbre sent fans into a thrall.

Victor Ratnayake's latest volume titled Detolaga Sinaha (Smile on the lips) was launched at the BMICH recently and this is what he had to say to the audience on that day: "This laudable effort of the erudite and far thinking Sri Lankans living abroad, I acknowledge by bowing my head in salutation! To the great mass of my fans who appreciate my work let this volume 'Detholanga Sinaha' be a symbol of appreciation."

A group of fans in the USA, who formed an organisation named "Dinara" under the guidance of Lalith Jayasinghe is the driving force behind this creative piece by Victor.

Their sole aim was to take Sinhala music across the oceans emotionally via the Internet and to educate the younger generation on genuine Sinhala songs.

So with their tireless effort and ambition Victor went on internet on www.dinaramusic.com at last.

Detholaga Sinaha comprises 16 songs penned by W. M. T. Bandara, Thalangama Premadasa, Bandara K. Wijetunga, Buddadasa Galappaththi, W. A. Abeysinghe, Bandula Nanayakkarawasam, Ratna Sri Wijesingha, Kularatne Ariyawansa, Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne, Geethanath Kudaligama, Premakeerthi de Alwis, Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe and Wasantha Kumara Kobawaka.

Victor Ratnayake is a musician and vocalist with a unique style and individuality. His body of work, ranging from light classical to film music has established himself as a trend setter and a pathfinder who captured the hearts and souls of millions of music lovers.

Victor Ratnayake will go down in Sinhala music as the pioneer in solo performances. His Sa was an instant hit in 1973. Speaking about the birth of Sa, Victor recalls his friends who encouraged him.

"At that time, there was no one man concerts. 'Shravanaradhana' was a joint concert that was presented by Amaradeva and Nanda Malini.

All my friends-lyricists, singers and musicians suggested that I should arrange a solo performance. Premakeerthi de Alwis, K. D. K. Dharmawardena, Bandara Wijetunge, Chinthana Jayasena, Harishchandra Weerasena and R. R. Samarakoon were among them.

The inaugural Sa concert was held on July 20, 1973, at the Lumbini Theatre, Havelock Town. It was popularly considered as a turning point in Sri Lankan music.

Sa showcased individual talent. In the opinion of enlightened critics and connoisseurs, prior to the advent of television, Victor Ratnayake's Sa provided people with wondrous listening pleasure of higher quality music and showmanship.

Victor was born and brought up in a little village near Kadugannawa. His father - Rathnayake Veda Mahaththaya - was an apothecary who used to sing noorthi gee.

One day, his father presented Victor with a harmonium on his ninth birthday. This was the beginning of Victor's musical career. Young Victor then started taking music lessons under Cyril Perera.

"When I began the Sa solo-performance in 1973, Sunil Shantha, Ananda Samarakoon and C.T. Fernando were some of the pioneers in the music field and all their creations were based on classical Ragadari and Hindustani music and were very popular among the people. Even at that stage, people did not say "no" to Sa.

The fitting blend of Western music with Ragadari classical music was the success behind "Sa". This is what I personally believe even at the 1500th concert of 'Sa', Victor said.

"Matara Achchi", "Siribo Aiya","Podi Malli", "Sarungale (The Kite)", "Hulawali" and "Athuru Mithuru" are some of the films for which Victor directed music.

"There are new trends in the Western music field from time to time. Rap music is one of them. I am not against the art of rap. But I am totally against the way it is done here today. The musicians in this country should think twice before heading with rap music for their creations.

Imagine, what it looks like if you wear a tie with the national dress? No one understands the comic aspect of it," he said. "By using rap music and country music one can make new creations without re-setting it for 'old and original' creations.

Through the mixture you can make 'konde kavum' (oil cake) but you can't make real cake! Using rap music for old songs is also ridiculous. But even professional musicians seem to have not understood the truth. That is a tragedy," he said.

- Anjana

Anil tours the US

IN response to many requests by Sri Lankan music lovers in the USA, popular singer Anil Bhareti left for the US last week to take part in a series of musical shows. Singer Priya Suriyasena too joined Anil in the tour.

Anil's two-month assignment commenced with a musical evening at Staten Island, New York on January 21. The show was backed by a group of Sri Lankans in the USA.

During his stay, Anil is expected to conduct eight musical extravaganzas in Toronto, Canada on January 29, Los Angeles on February 11, San Francisco on February 18, Washington DC on February 24, Vancouver on February 25, Texas on March 4 and Cincinnati on March 11.

Music for all shows are provided by Lankan groups, while two Sri Lankans - Lucky Viswakula and Nuwan Samaranayaka - will sponsor the shows.

Anil, who completed 25 years in the show business, is a full time professional solo singer. He has over 200 songs to his credit and has earned a reputation as a leading pop star in Sri Lanka.

Anil said that Sri Lankans in foreign countries still remember the memories of his yesteryear songs such as 'Tikirimalee', 'Adave Iru Dina' and the popular Christmas Carol "Bethlehempure".

- Ananda Kannangara

'Dangamalla' on small screen

DANGAMALLA saha Amuthu Iskole, a children's play based on Enid Blyton's "The Naughtiest Girl in the School", which has been turned to a tele-series with 25 episodes as "Dangamalla", is now being screened on Swarnavahini every Sunday at 9.00 p.m.

Nalaka Swarnathilake of "Swarnavahini", has produced and directed "Dangamalla" which has been translated by Ganga Niroshani Suduwelikanda.

The play has accommodated a large number of schoolchildren in the cast. Sixty five students from 26 schools have taken part in the series. The main role of the tele-drama is performed by Nathasha Perera who won the Best Child Actress Award at the State Children's Drama Festival in 2003.

On an earlier occasion, the play also won the Best Production Award at the State Children Drama Festival in 2003 as well.

The cast also includes Kusum Renu, Sanoja Bibile, Ramani Siriwardena, Rebeka Nirmali and Athula Pathirana.

The music is directed by Nuwan Vithanage.- (A.G)