Remembering Rocksamy
Perfection still heard:
Today is the 23rd death anniversary of a superb musician, composer
and violin virtuoso -M K Rocksamy - who started his music career at the
age of 17 leaving school to join the orchestra of the then Radio Ceylon.
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M K Rocksamy |
After some time he was introduced to the eminent musician of the late
1940s and 50s R A Chandrasena who in turn introduced Rocksamy to another
accomplished musician R Muttusamy who held sway in the film music field
of the time. Rocksamy or Rocky to his friends and colleagues was to
become one of the very best musicians under the tutelage of Muttusamy
who was the head of the orchestra at the pioneering Nayagam Film
Studios, Kandana.
Gradually Rocky's talent became recognized not only for his superb
violin virtuosity but his ability as a composer. I remember that even if
10 or 12 violins were played in an orchestra Rocky's violin could be
heard distinctly among all others. His perfection of playing it and
skill for playing other instruments was unique among all musicians of
yesteryear.
One of the most outstanding qualities of this great musician was his
love for humanity and his sheer goodness of treating all people, big or
small, rich or poor, famous or unknown with the same yardstick of
affection. I think it was this great quality that made him the great
musician as he once said "When I play an instrument or am composing a
song I get absorbed in music that is above all the weaknesses of human
beings."
To have known and heard Rocky was indeed a fulfilling experience. He
held sway in the film industry as a music composer/director for over two
decades from the 1960s to the 1980s.
He became the most popular film music director of that era and among
a very large number of films he had directed music were Sansaare,
Dheewarayo, Chandali, Maha Re Hamuwu Striya, Hara Lakshaya, Deviyani Oba
Kohida, Re Manamali and three Tamil films including Ponmani.
When Rocky died in 1988 due to an illness it was the end of an era of
great film music and his contribution to that field has no parallel. Yet
despite his harmony with each music piece and many music traditions his
harmony with humanity stands out as the greatest human quality equal to
his talent and skill in music.
Like his violin that could be heard even among a score of other
instruments his voice though gone from this earth still lives in the
heart and memories of his family, friends and colleagues.
A dear friend W N |
