A voice to represent Mother Lanka

D.P.M. Weerakkody

An appreciation of the musical career of Visharad Deepika Priyadarshani

Over the ages, the singing voice, more than any other musical instrument, has compelled the most overwhelming emotional responses from human beings, by a fascination that seems almost supernatural.

The sixteenth century British Composer William Byrd declared that “There is not any Musicke of Instruments whatsoever comparable to that which is made by the Voice of Men,” and over two centuries later the novelist Stendhal agreed that the “human voice still maintains its superiority over any instrument yet invented”.

Together with dancing, singing is our most basic form of expression - a primal, innate means of rendering the range of human emotions, from ecstasy to despair.

Sangeet Visharad Deepika Priyadharshani Peiris is one of the foremost young vocalists of present day Sri Lanka with a musical identity and an original style of her own. She is an artiste of excellent musicianship.

Endowed with a rich, colorful, sonorous and melodious contralto voice of a type rare in Sri Lanka, she has worked hard in training and developing it, through careful study and practice, into a versatile musical instrument capable of subtle expression, with the capacity to communicate a wide range of feelings and nuances.

A notable feature of Deepika’s voice is its capacity to blend smoothly with various types of backing. Her voice is at home not only with a thinly orchestrated accompaniment such as the simple, folk-like flute and banjo music of Boralu Enena (lyrics by Ruchira Paranawithana), or the haunting violin obligato of Kaviya Oba (lyrics by Sunil R. Gamage), or the plaintive flute and saxophone strains of Sina Podak Wee(lyrics by Kularathna Ariyawansha), or when backed by a full orchestra or chorus as in Mae Thani Yahane (lyrics by Kumaradasa Saputhanthrie), Mage Kandulu Wel (with lyrics by Bandula Nanayakkarawasam), Sitha Pela Dee Daduwam (with lyrics by Sunil Ariyarathna and music by Stanly Pieris), Egeya Oba den (lyrics by Sunil Ariyarathna and music by Rohana Weerasinghe), Mae Sundara Raathriyata (lyrics by Ravi Siriwardana, music by Rohana Weerasinghe), or Mage Deshaya.

She has sung duets with many of the well-known male singers of today such as Pundit Amaradeva, Sunil Edirisinghe, Edward Jayakody, Karunarathna Divulgane, Ananda Weerasiri, Amarasiri Pieris and Rohana Weerasinghe, as well as with the younger artistes of today such as Kasun Kalhara, Amal Perera, Bhathiya Jayakody and Santhush Weeraman.

Deepika has exhibited remarkably good taste in selecting her lyrics and melodies. As an artiste with a strongly humanitarian outlook, she has consistently chosen lyrics, by established lyricists. which give expression to her own attitudes and feelings towards current social issues, and specially the issues confronting the youth of the present age.

At the same time she has shown immense concern for the poetic beauty and artistry of the lyrics, and refrained from using her voice to cry out slogans - whether political, commercial or otherwise.

On the other hand, firmly believing in the power of music to improve and uplift society, she has employed her vocal talent to create awareness of the plight of those persons in our community who are distressed, deprived, oppressed, or unjustly treated.

She has conducted many free of charge classes, workshops and seminars for developing the musical knowledge and skills of underprivileged persons all over the island, in districts including war-affected areas.

She has also participated in a number of fund-raising activities in support of programs such as coalition for care, education and support services, aids prevention, human rights and the rights of women.

Especially worthy of mention is the fact that the female population has found in her songs a restrained and artistic voice to articulate their grievances. Consistent with her commitment to social improvement, she has vehemently rejected opportunities for commercialization, and refused to appear in advertisements.

Deepika has been extremely generous in placing her talents at the service of the student population in various institutions of higher education in Sri Lanka. Her first musical success was a song she recorded for the tele-drama Bhagya (Directed by Wijaya Dharma Sri) to promote the Mahapola scholarship fund.

Since 1987, she has continuously offered her services, often free of charge performing at concerts organized by various faculties of the University of Peradeniya in aid of their respective scholarship funds, and she has exercised similar generosity with respect to other universities and educational institutes.

A gifted composer in her own right, Deepika has had the good fortune to enlist the services of some of the foremost musicians and composers of this country such as Rohana Weerasinghe, Victor Ratnayake, Premasiri Kemadasa, Sarath Dasanayake, Ananda Gamage, Lakshman Wijesekara, M.R.Chulasinghe, Somapala Rathnayake, Suresh Maaliyadde, H.N. Jayawardene and Gunadasa Kapuge.

Of special significance is the fact that Rohana Weerasinghe, one of the most accomplished and most popular music directors of present-day Sri Lanka, has made the greatest contribution to her songs throughout her musical career. In commissioning her melodies, she has taken every precaution to ensure the greatest possible variety, consistent with her own individual style of singing, and to avoid monotony.

Her musical admirers include men and women of all walks of life. Her performances in this country and abroad have met with enthusiastic critical acclamation, and she has won many prestigious awards, both as a student and as a mature musician and teacher.

A devout Buddhist and a product of the Dhamma school (Sunday school), Deepika has recorded a number of Buddhist songs with a progressive social outlook. Among these Kiri Maw Wee (music by Kemadasa) is an early example. Jaya Sirimaa Hamuduruwane (lyrics by Mahinda Chandrasekara, music by Rohana Weerasinghe) has a touching and plaintive melody which Deepika renders with delicate expression.

More recent creations include Budu Nethin Dakinnata. Furthermore, Deepika has also bequeathed to the Christian community of this country a number of very expressive creations. Baloli (Mary’s song) from the CD Tharana (lyrics by Mahinda Namal, music by Rev. Anton Jayananda) embodies the significance of Christ’s mission and its impact throughout the world, set against the background of his passion and the sorrows of Mary.

Prof. D.P.M. Weerakkody obtained his B.A. in Western Classical Culture from the University of Peradeniya in 1971, graduating with first class honours, and his Ph.D. in Classics from the University of Hull in 1977.