Premasiri Khemadasa's funeral under State patronage today
COLOMBO: The last rites of internationally renowned music maestro
Premasiri Khemadasa, 71, will be held today at 4.00 p.m. at the
Independence Square, Torrington Avenue under State patronage.
Premasiri Khemadasa |
Remains are kept at his residence 51, Rajagiriya, Road, Rajagiriya
till 2 pm today for the public to pay their respects. Cortege will leave
residence today at 2.00 pm to Independence Square. The pansakula will be
performed at 4.00 p.m. and the cremation later.
'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 listeners. 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. |