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Bhagya Senaratne speaks to Somasiri Illesinghe on his
tuneful experiences:
Virtuoso on violin
Born in 1939, Somasiri Illesinghe’s love for the violin blossomed at
the tender age of five. Since his father was a musical personality,
Illesinghe was inspired to appreciate music at a very young age.
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Somasiri Illesinghe. Pictures by Sulochana Gamage |
While engaged in studies he received the opportunity to excell in
music at the Heywood Aesthetic University and passed out in 1959. He had
eagerly taken on this wonderful opportunity when his father had inquired
as to whether he wanted to attend the university. A humble and down to
earth person, Illesinghe thereafter went to teach at Matara Rahula
College for six years.
Smiling at the memory, he narrates his experience as a student at the
Bhatkande University in Lucknow, India, and the wonderful time he had
mastering the violin under the tutelage of Prof. G. N. Gowswamy. Having
to by-heart every melody the professor taught, due to not being provided
with notes, Illesinghe stated reminiscing “I went back to my hotel and
practiced well into the night until I had learnt what the professor
taught me during the day.” Having done that, he would go early the next
day to show his master what he had practiced.
Returning to Sri Lanka, he continued his academic activities,
teaching the violin to children at his home. To date, he continues this
activity. He says he gains immense self-satisfaction with this endeavour!
Illesinghe has over 30 years of experience, being a producer of music
and then the director of music at both the Sri Lanka Broadcasting
Cooperation (SLBC) and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC). He has
been in the orchestra of both these organisations and helped the
expansion of many of its musical arenas.
While performing his official duties, he had assisted music directors
in composing film music. In addition, he has played violin solos for
background music in many Sinhala films such as Muththusaami. Having
never organised a musical event of his own in mass scale, Illesinghe
stated that he will not be putting together any such event in the
future. Smiling, he adds “the only event I have organised is for my
private students at my house. I have put together this event for 22
years and it is held annually. It goes on for 12 hours till the break of
dawn!”
This training has had a serious impact on him and his work. He stated
that by studying under his guru, he was able to “refine” his music and
give elegance to it.
Illesinghe was a visiting lecturer at the Institute of Aesthetic
Studies at the Kelaniya University until he resigned in 2005. He stated
that due to the differences in the teaching modules, he felt he needed
to make this decision. However he has been passing on his expertise at
the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) from 1998. He stated that even now he
continues teaching at this Institute, weekly.
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The first telegram and other documents Illesinghe treasures that
helped him become a professional |
Speaking of the position music has in today’s society he stated that
he “is not happy” because “music is not what it used to be; it is
commercialised.”
Elaborating his views, he said that the current society does not
enjoy good music, especially classical music. This is a depressing
situation. According to Illesinghe music is next to godly needs. It
should be treated with much more respect! As a consequence, listening to
classical music provides us with the means which is required for us to
tread along that path.
Further he stated that classical music allows us to achieve inner
tranquillity. This, he says, is in contrast to the modern music.
Illesinghe explains the intricacies of music and quite enthusiastically
adds that the bass rhythm used in most modern music, if played in a
certain tempo, can even be used to bring a person with a heart attack to
their deathbed just like a well trained opera singer can sing at certain
pitches which can shatter glasses as the age old joke goes!
I had the opportunity to take a stroll inside his music room.
Illesinghe showed me his awards and medals as well as the many letters
of appreciation he received.
I also had the wonderful opportunity to see an organ-like serphina,
which can be expanded to be played with one’s feet instead of the hand.
This is a kind which is not to be seen anymore today. Illesinghe feels
that the modern evaluation system for musician is insufficient. He
states that most music festivals in Sri Lanka do not last for more than
two years. Therefore musicians do not have the opportunity to be
recognised.
As the sun was setting I had to bid goodbye to this violin guru. He
left me with the words that music sustains one’s life. Therefore, it has
to be treasured and safeguarded - something he feels which is lacking in
Sri Lanka. Therefore, serious attempts must be made to revive music in
our country! |
