No more - but name lives forever

Siri HETTIARACHCHI

Today is the 69th Birth Anniversary of late Clarence Wijewardena – a legend in the Sri Lankan music field, perhaps never to be equalled by any other. To be precise, he was born on August 3, 1943 in Haputale.

There is hardly anybody interested in local music who has at one time or another, not heard of his name.

Perhaps many of his fans may not be aware of all the ‘firsts’ tribute to the great musician, and therefore it is worthwhile recording at least some of them here.

. Achieving the rare distinction of being called ‘vageyekar’ (a word akin to classical music which means a person who composes a song, gives it a melody and also sings it).

. Introducing the electrical guitar to the local pop-scene.

. For creating a cassette on the occasion when the Sri Lankan Cricket Team gained Test Status.

. For releasing a non-stop cassette to Sri Lankan music-lovers.

. The song “Mango Nanda” produced by him topping the hit parade broadcast over the radio.

In fact many of his songs focus directly or indirectly on his beloved Sheela and others in the environment in the early days of his village Batugedera in Ratnapura.

Clarence’s father happened to be a Medical Practitioner while his mother was a Hospital matron. His father’s initial vision was to see his son starting off his career as a creeper. But fate would have it otherwise; it was during such a period that this rustic boy cast his eyes on a comely lass by the name of Sheela. She later become Clarence’s lifelong partner as fate had decreed.

Clarence was a unique and incomparable not only in his singing but also as a composer, lyricist, guitarist music director and a wonderful creative artiste. It is not an exaggeration to mention that a number of prominent singers of today and yesteryear owe a huge debt to this altruistic being for having giving them that much needed ‘push’. It is however, pathetic to mention that when Clarence was ailing a few months prior to his death, there was hardly a friend who visited him, let alone inquire about him.

Though he entertained millions of fans his mental genius was hardly given the due recognition by the State or any allied sector for that matter. However, it is encouraging to note that some of his friends living overseas had televised his performances and made DVDs available in the market. Another sad fact is that some of his songs have been pirated and are still being pirated by some individuals and leading bands alike. This may be because there is no market for their songs. Apart from this, some songs are being sung for the sake of commercial gain. Does this not itself prove that his songs still have a market and still wanted by the people ?

Chandralal Fonseka, former Bassist of Super Golden Chimes once said that a song could be enjoyed in three ways. First, by hearing it, second by feeling it in one’s body and third by enjoying it in one’s heart. He says that Clarence possessed all these three elements which naturally penetrated the hearts of young and old alike.

Clarence had a glowing vision. He had enthusiastic plans of selling his property in Nugegoda and constructing a fully-equipped, sophisticated, ultra-modern music studio and had even brought down the necessary catalogues during his travels abroad. But the dream was short-lived.

Clarence, the maestro of music was noted for his amiability and simplicity and he despised arrogance, snobbery, guile and duplicity. He had no so-called ‘special gimmicks’ or ‘show-offs’ which some singers resort to on stage.

Sheela is now residing in Australia with their daughter Amila who is an Australian citizen.

May the name of Clarence remain a legend in the hearts of all his music fans!