When music speaks beyond words
Sachitra MAHENDRA
Ravi Aluthge just passed his 10th birthday, when he could well
interpret late Maestro Premasiri Khemadasa's musical work of Landune
song. He enjoyed music more than lyrics. This heritage was passed down
by his mother.
"My mother taught Eastern music. I studied Eastern music at the
school too. But Khemadasa's creations stimulated my music imagination."
|
Ravi Aluthge. Picture by Ruwan de Silva |
Over time he wanted to stretch his knowledge on music. He started
studying other forms of music. Of all forms, the Western music touched
his heart. He fell dearly in love with that. But even today he has a
tuned ear to every kind of music from Raga music to Jazz and Rock. Every
form inspires him and broadens the horizons of his creativity.
He was getting more matured when he realised music is not a mere song
with words. Music transcends the mere count of words. It struggles to
convey something stuck inside our hearts.
The common community is not well familiar with instrumental music
form in both Western and Eastern regions. Music without words, may not
appeal to them very much. But this is exactly Ravi's forte, brimmed with
hot waters.
Late Khemadasa's music for songs are much popular than his
symphonies, so to say.
"I know it's a grave challenge. But I feel, it's just a matter of
making them at home with this music. Many people are not well familiar
with late Khemadasa's symphonies, but they know his music for songs with
words very much. This is the difference, and this explains the nature of
my challenge."
But on the brighter side, you don't have to know the verbal language
to taste Ravi's music. Only you have to be keen on your feelings to grab
the meanings. We hope even a small number of people would like to listen
to his music.
The late Maestro Premasiri Khemadasa fused the West with the East.
But Ravi wanted to steer in a different direction. He does not seem to
be fond of fusion. He
|
Ravi Aluthge's
symphony voyage |
Life 2003
Moon shadow 2003
The soldier 2006
Beauty 2006
The victory 2007
Happiness 2007
Waiting for life 2007
The rock 2008
Baby on the way 2008
Nature 2009
Wind 2009 |
wants to try out his skills in the original form. Ravi made his first
creation when he turned 20. No one could distract him from symphony
since then.
"Khemadasa touched all kinds of music. He handled it with due care.
He used Western, Eastern and as well as folk music traditions. He wanted
to blend that. He had a philosophy, and he did it very beautifully. But
my line of thinking is different. I believe we still can be original."
Ravi composes symphony without fusion. He makes use of pure western
form influenced by the classical musicians like Mozart and Beethoven. He
wants to picture the social and political position of his background in
the pure western music form.
"My music may be purely western, but it has the Sri Lankan
conscience. Obviously I cannot portray the western society, but I use
their technique to describe my society. Music is a creative form. It is
something we understand in our own way. A king and a beggar will enjoy
same music in two different ways."
A musician, Ravi adds, should be familiar with this whole universe.
Music is as deep as ocean containing every melody of woos and joys in
our life. For a musician, every living moment is precious and
inspirational. Mozart and Beethoven became famous because they went
beyond playing for kings. They knew the pulse of the public and could
mould it creatively.
Though we belong to different cultures, as human beings we all have
same feelings. Music without words directly speaks to your feelings. On
that basis Ravi strongly believes though his medium is western music, he
could make a conversation with the local audience. When people become
more sensitive to their feelings, music does not need to describe in
words what it stands for. That's why they call music as a universal
language.
Ravi Aluthge has composed a number of symphonies and looks forward to
having a concert shortly. If you are interested in sponsoring the
concert, do contact him on 0718013944. His symphonies can be accessed on
youtube too. |
