Sunil Shantha :

Exploring his roots

Uvindu Illeperuma

Sunil Shantha, one of the most prestigious singers ever lived in Sri Lanka, completes his 95th birth anniversary and the 28th death anniversary on April 14 and 11. Being a pivotal figure in the development of Sri Lankan music Sunil Shantha carved an exceptional niche in the provision of Sinhala song. His songs always brimmed with patriotism and the nature’s beauty.

Sunil Shantha was born in 1915 at Dehiyagatha, Jaela to a Christian family. His parents died while Sunil was in his formative years. Thereafter he was brought up by his grandmother and uncle. His uncle M. J. Perera was a music lover, from whom Sunil Shantha learned how to play the harmonium. It was how the foundation for a legendary musician was laid.

This legendary personality always excelled in every task by leaving a remarkable record behind. In 1933 he passed the teachers examination just after emerging the island first in the school leaving certificate examination.

At St. Calvery School he exhibited his mettle as a stellar teacher of music by enabling the school to secure three consecutive victories at the southern school music competition. It was in 1938 Sunil Shantha passed Intermediate Gandarwa Examination. As he was gifted with the true essence of Sinhalese spirit he thought it was high time to delve in the depth of Sri Lankan arts and culture, With this thought in mind he learned Sinhala folk songs and Wannam under the tutelage of Urapola Banda Gurunnanse.

He was an artiste with the thirst to explore into roots of the subject and left for India in quest of learning Hindustani classical, Bengali orchestral and vocal music at Shanthi Niketan. But Shanthi Nikethan could not quench the unabated thirst this personality had for music. Then he left for Allhabad to read his Visharada Degree at University of Bathkanda in 1944.

Influence of Hela school

After returning to the country he was addicted to the writing styles of Munidasa Cumarathunga and Rapiel Tennakoon. Their writings made this musician inspired to demarcate a considerable phase for pure Sri Lankan music unspoiled by outside influences. In other words Sunil Shantha became entrenched in Cmarathunga Munidasa’s Hela school. He gave up his nomenclature of Joseph and adapted Sunil Shantha. Thinking that it was his mission to acquit a true Sinhala music he began his expedition to unearth the roots of Sinhala music under the auspice of Suriyashankar Molligoda.

Mudalali mafia which drastically exploited artists for profits was unable to beat Shantha since he was not a man to kneel down before money. Even at hard times in the aftermath of his expulsion from Radio Ceylon he never betrayed his principle of self independence for material gains.

Sunil Shantha stood as a pioneering force to feed indigenous music at a time British harmonics and Portuguese kafferinghas saved the day for Sri Lanka song buffs. His performance at the Radio Ceylon was unique.

Sunil Shantha sang Olu Pipila with his outstanding pupil Ivor Denis on the day that Sri Lanka Broadcasting Cooperation was established in 1967. Olu Pipila was the first recorded song in Sri Lanka.

He vehemently opposed using Hindustani tunes. This self independence cost him in great deal.

Role at the Radio Ceylon

He epitomized his unwavering independence by vehemently refusing to audition by Indian musician Ratanshankar, who was the mentor of Sunil Shantha at the University of Bathkande. He was not hesitant to say it is rather ridicules to get down a musician from another country to test talents of local artistes. He boycotted the test, hence was expelled from Radio Ceylon. He mustered his glory and courage within him to go out of Radio Ceylon and tried his hands at repairing radio sets, clocks and cameras as a livelihood.

Sunil was fortunate to spread his mesmerizing voice beyond the portals of the country. Radio Moscow could not help playing his hit Puruthugeese Karaya which was set to speedy beat. Sunil published Ridi Walawe, his first song book in 1946.

One of the important fact regarding this colossal figure is his singing for charitable purposes. Elders of Mallika in Colombo were greatly benefited by this effort of him. In 1970 Sunil Shatha, an indispensable man when it comes to Sinhala music, was invited by the Director General of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Cooperation, Nevil Jayaweera, to do music programs. Sunil Shatha welcomed the approach of the newly appointed Director General. H. W. Rupasinghe and Maestro W. D. Amaradeva stood very close in his endeavours..

Sunil’s voice added much more colour and vigour to the historic cinematic creations namely Rekhawa and Sandeshaya directed by Lester James Peiris

Evening era

1981 was not any good for Sunil Shantha with the sudden death of his third son Jagath who was drowned in a swimming pool of a hotel in Negambo. It is this shock that caused Sunil Shantha go on the journey of no return on April 11, the same year.

Sunil still lives in our hearts. No doubt he will continue to live in memories of generations to come.

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