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Death of a gifted musician



Abeywardena Balasuriya

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.

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