Awakening the Golden Oldies
Damayantha unearths Clarence's 'hidden songs' :
Ruwini JAYAWARDANA
Damayantha Kuruppu |
Damayantha Kuruppu's connection with legendary Sri Lankan pop music
king Clarence Wijewardena goes back several years. He had listened to
the musician practicing with his comrades in the Moonstones at
Sirisangabo Corea's house in Thinbirigasyaya.
Inspired by his tunes Damayantha was motivated to become involved
with music. He soon formed his own group named Lonesome stone in
collaboration with Dulik Gabadamudalige, John Rodrigo and Ajith
Dahanayake.
"I was one of Clarence's close allies and told him about my passion
for the subject. He advised me to conduct a show for Milton
Malawarachchi who was at the peak of his musical career then. "I
organized the Super Milton show at Nawa Rangahala in May 1975,"
Damayantha recalled on how he progressed in the musical arena. His nest
step was to fly to London to study hotel management. There he formed a
band called Electric Image which performed some western and Sri Lankan
songs at events. Damayantha returned back to the isle in 1982 and
organized several shows.
Some of the most significant projects he was involved in were the
shows Tribute to Clarence, Ronnie and Corrine in Concert, Clarence the
Legend. All these fell under the DK Promotions banner. He even organized
the 40th Anniversary show for Migonne of Jetliners fame and the 'Amazing
Grace' reunion show and the Derrick J Concert.
"I develop a theme and put together the whole concept and sell it to
the organizations as fund raisers. I have put together shows for
international artistes like Lobo and Sir Cliff Richards," he reveled.
Not surprisingly Damayantha's own talent for singing came to the
limelight during these concerts. He said that the audience loved to hear
him sing a few lines while compeering the events. "That was when I
realized that I had more talent to offer to the music lover of the
country," he noted.
"He had already composed several CDs of songs: Timeless Hits which
includes old songs from the 1970s, Suhadanane which includes some songs
that Mariazelle dueted with Clarence.It includes hits like Malkelle and
Kumari Hami.
"15 of Clarence's songs which were only in tape have been included in
the CD. Siri Hettiarachchi gave me a hundred of Clarence's songs which
were not heard on air," he said adding that Sheela Wijewardene had been
very supportive
The CD even includes Suhadanane, a song Damayantha had composed in
tribute to Clarance. Clarence Sangavunu Gee is available at the leading
CD shops in the country. For further details contact 0777744950. |