Carlo in lyrical glow

Review E. M. G. Edirisinghe

LYRICS: Professor Carlo Fonseka's CD "Raththaran Duwe" is a blend of intellectual prowess and emotional grit spills an abundance of poetic talent in a rhythmic tone and terror.

"Raththaran Duwe is an endearing collection of Carlo's lyrical creations packed into a compact disc. It is a heart warming gift to the lovers of music and to those listeners with an elevated taste. The religious sentiments expressed in the lyrics are interspersed with pragmatic application of the Buddha's teachings.

The most outstanding and highly emotional composition Raththaran Duwe is written in lucid and simple words. The song expresses pains of departure and is sung by Nanda Malini and Rohana Weerasinghe. It depicts the emotions of a loving daughter leaving the parental home in search of shelter in a fresh environment. The void created by her leaving the parental home is vivified in the following lines.

Hasten up my daughter, come to me flying

Just for a while, my daughter so sweet

However, the sentiments expressed in the original composition and may have been lost in the English translation.

Hanika yanna enna piyambala duwe Awith yanna enna sudu duwe

Asirivan yubowan (You are blessed; and, a long life for you) and Ruduru Thuru Vadule (In the savage cluster of trees) are two compositions which strike a highly emotional depth with an impressive recital by Rohana Weerasinghe and Sunil Edirisinghe.

Carlo's forte in bringing Buddhist concepts into his lyrics is exceptional. Meanwhile Amaradeva's voice makes the composition meaningful and devotional. Let me evaluate the depth of insight woven into the following two lines: Dhanayata ei dedi asha

Dhanayehi senasuma nehe geb ganne

(Why are we so greedy for wealth

In wealth, contentment is never conceived)

While Carlo sees the Buddha as the beacon light enlightened and liberated the mankind from ignorance with his teachings, and focused on the spiritual element that fortified man, he hails Jesus Christ's emancipation of man.

He shows how on the day Jesus was born the downtrodden were enthroned. The eulogy sung by Edward Jayakody on the vision of NM gives vent to his socialistic ideas. It echoes NM's vision which paved the path for political freedom for the downtrodden.

Meanwhile, Ruduru Thuru Vadule vividly reflects the innate goodness and beauty of the rose flower which enliven the composer's spirit.

It reminds him of the struggle one leads in real life amid painful problems which eventually make one's life more challenging. Sunil Edirisinghe's sonorous voice adds depth, rhythm and soul into this composition.

Carlo has breathed life into his poetically expressive and emotionally rich lyrical compositions.

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