Premasiri Khemadasa passes away

COLOMBO: Internationally renowned music maestro Premasiri Khemadasa (71) passed away yesterday at a private hospital in Colombo.

‘Khemadasa Master’ who has left his mark in the local and international music scene during the past five decades was born on January 25, 1937 in Talpitiya, Wadduwa.

He was educated at Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya and St.John’s College, Panadura. He started his musical career with the Radio Ceylon orchestra.

He had the opportunity of providing music to Roddie Kella a film by Sirisena Wimalaweera and the musical contribution he made to Lester James Piries’ Golu Hadawatha was a turning point in cinematic music.

He also composed music for the landmark film Nidhanaya. Later, he contributed to films such as Agnidahaya and Ammavarune.

He was a pioneer of indigenous music at a time when Hindi and Tamil copies flooded the airwaves. He shot to fame with the Manasawila opera. This was followed with several other productions such as Dora Mandalawa and Sonduru Warnadasa.

His symphonies Muhuda and Mage Kale Mavni also left indelible memories among his fans. Agni was also critically acclaimed.

The film “Bambaru Evith” captured the audience with his music for the Song “ Handunagaththoth Oba Ma....”. He embraced the television medium through Jayantha Chandrasiri’s epoch-making creation Dandubasnamanaya.

He has enriched the local theatre, ballet, symphony and the Sinhala film/television industry with his vast repertoire. No two creations of Khemadasa were similar and he evolved a unique identity among world musicians.

While some of his compositions were influenced by Western composers of opera in the end they assumed a totally Sri Lankan aura.

He has conducted shows in many world capitals, taking Sri Lankan music to an international audience.

Funeral arrangements will be notified later.