Adios Mervin
Sachitra Mahendra and Ruwini Jayawardana
Mervin Perera belongs to the classical music era initiated by the
likes of Amaradeva in the 1960s. He joined the scene along with his
contemporaries Victor Rathnayaka and Sanath Nandasiri.
 Though his first song was the evergreen number Oba Dedunna Akase in
1969, his first melody was in 1967. He studied music at the Government’s
Music College and emerged as a skilled flautist following music in
Western style. His songs are limited but they are brimmed with quality
as well as popularity.
Born on September 21, 1940, in Kuda Payagala in Southern Sri Lanka
Mervin learnt music from his father, Herman Perera, a music master, who
taught him how to hold a violin.
Following his guidance young Mervin entered the Kalayathanaya in 1959
and after six years of training, started his teaching career as a music
teacher in a remote village in Ampara.
His first appointment was to Ampara Vijayapura Maha Vidyalaya and
later worked towards enhancing the musical talents of many a youth at a
number of schools. He was suspended for three years in 1980 and rejoined
the teaching profession in 1983. He retired from teaching in 2000.
Me Nagaraya Maa Oba Muna gesunu nagarayai took him to the height of
popularity. Premakeerthi de Alwis and KDK Dharmawardena penned most of
his lyrics.
Mervin derived most of his inspirations from the church, but he was
never a person to be lured by modern trends. In fact Mervin detested rap
music because he believed that that the style did not suit Sri Lankan
music. He was well versed in manipulating western and eastern music into
one line.
 Though he was a popular vocalist he also gained repute as a talented
music composer. Nanda Malini’s Me Sira Meduren, Nilambare and Hanthana
Adaviye includes his music. In addition, he was also a sought after
lyricist who penned songs well-loved tunes like Sihil sulan ralle.
In a career spanning almost 50 years this talented musician, lyricist
and music composer has gifted the industry with a number of lilting
melodies.
His songs such as Sanda midulata enawa and Me nagaraya gained much
popularity among Sinhala music fans.
His son, Amal, is following his footsteps and had already proven his
mettle in the music scene.
He was a member of the orchestra and had recorded around a hundred
songs, several of them local hits, at the time of his death at 69 at the
Kalubowila Teaching Hospital on December 7.
According to family sources Perera had suffered from diabetes and was
hospitalised recently when he took a turn for the worse. His remains are
kept at his residence in Payagala Kalutara and funeral arrangements
would be notified soon. |
