Death of a gifted musician
Ishara Jayawardane
Abeywardena Balasuriya
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Veteran musician and television program producer Abeywardena
Balasuriya passed away last Friday at the age of 63 years.
Abeywardena’s talents were not simply limited to music. He was a
gifted writer. Readers of yesteryear would remember the glowing tribute
he paid to his wife Niranjala Sarojini. In return she paid him a glowing
tribute when she penned an article in which she speaks of his
respectable family background and his fine qualities.
Indeed some of the best love duets were sung by Abeywardena and
Niranjala. Abeywardena’s music career was further strengthened when he
married Niranjala Sarojini.
Abeywardena was an artist second to none. However he did not limit
himself only to music. He was a one time politician who held strong
political views and voiced them. Abeywardena once said, “No Artist can
forego social responsibility”. Anyone who reads his articles or has read
them will notice his dedication to social and his empathy.
In one of his articles Abeywardena said that the needs of artists are
not reflected in the parliament. He also said that he took to politics
to give a voice to artists in Sri Lanka. Throughout his life this would
be a dominant theme; to give the artists in Sri Lanka a voice through
politics.
One would say that he felt the pulse of the people and felt the need
to preserve our cultural heritage and our cultural identity.
Abeywardena started his career as a vocalist. His first radio program
was Nevum Mihira ,where he sang the all time favorite Kavurudo Kavurudo,
a song composed by the late Karunaratne Abeysekera and to the music of
Sanath Nandasiri.
He was backed by Sunil Ariyaratne, Ajantha Ranasinghe and
Premakeerthi de Alwis who wrote the lyrics for his song. Sanath
Nandasiri and Victor Ratnayake directed his music. A past pupil of St.
Mary’s College Chilaw, the turning point in his career came in 1982.
This was the year that saw the launching of the Rupavahini Corporation.
The Chairman of the Rupavahini Corporation , M.J. Perera wanted him (Abey)
to produce a new musical program called Nandana Vindana. The new TV
program became an instant hit with television viewers.
According to some viewership surveys Nandana Vindana was one of the
most popular musical programs at the time. Abeywardena was also
instrumental in producing the controversial Anduna. The Anduna won the
Vijiya Rupavahini Sammana Award for the best television program in 1987.
His remains lie at his residence at No. 38, Yahampath Mawatha,
Maharagama. The funeral will take place at the Borella Cemetary at 4
p.m. on March 31. |