VICTOR RATNAYAKE - a gem in Sri Lanka's music arena

Premasara EPASINGHE

Way back in 1987, as the Public Relations and Marketing Personality of Bank of Ceylon, as instructed by my General Manager A S Jayawardena, I met Sunil Shantha, great musician and artist and invited him to be our Gguest artist in our prestigious Aradhana programme. This great personality, who was my idol, turned down the offer. I quote what Sunil Shantha expressed.

"Mr Epasinghe, why don't you invite Victor Ratnayake, I can proudly say he is number one in Sri Lanka today, tomorrow and in future. He is a creative artist. I have the highest respect and regard for Victor."

Words of wisdom!

Out of the musicians, that made an indelible mark in Sri Lanka, Maestro Victor Ratnayake occupies a very prominent place. He revolutionised the musical score of Sri Lanka, with his prestigious SA concert.

Undoubtedly, SA, was the most enthralling musical entertainment experience, Sri Lankans enjoyed for more than three to four decades.

Victor Ratnayake is entirely a fantasy figure or a product of imagination, perceptive, soliderly and honourable. He possesses a golden heart. He is a man of honesty and integrity. He possesses some magic to attract individuals.

Music can be defined as the art of arranging the sounds of voice (s), or instrument (s), or both in a pleasing sequence or combination. Musician is a person who makes music by playing or conducting. Music is a soothing balm to your body and mind.

Early times

My association with Ratnayake began in 1980s, when I presented the Bank of Ceylon (BoC) Aradhana musical extravaganza. It was a half hour programme aired from 7 to 7.30 pm on every Tuesday. This was an audience show. We used to record two or three programmes weekly. We featured one artist for atleast three months. Some of the most prestigious artists like Amaradeva, Nanda Malini, Mr and Mrs Sanath Nandasiri, Sunil Edirisinghe, Edward Jayakody, Chandralekha Perera, Malini Bulathsinhala, Mr and Mrs Dayaratne Ranatunge, Ivor Dennis, Somatilake Jayamaha, Latha are probably some of names of the few, that comes to my mind.

Out of all these artists, Victor Ratnayake was number one, according to a survey conduced by BoC Public Relations and Marketing Division. In this novel programme there were no advertisements.

Victor Ratnayake helped me in recording the Aradhana theme song. An officer attached to BoC Mahinda Opatha and I burned mid-night oil in recording this song at a private advertising studio.

Aradhana became an instant hit. It became a one of the most popular programmes aired over Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) in 1970s-1980s period.

Hailing from a very prestigious family from the hill capital, Kandy, Victor Ratnayake's father was Ratnayake Arachchilage Don James. His mother's name was Abeykoon Mayadunnege Sumanawathi. Ratnayake was third in this family, which consisted of five girls and five boys. They are Wilfred, Leelawathi, Victor, Somapala Ratnayake (Reputed Director of Music), Kusumawathie, Ariyawathie, Jayasumana, Lakshman and Preeman.

I presume Victor Ratnayake inherited his musical talent sweet and dulce voice personality and creativity from the samsaric journey.

He is a pleasant, charming, lovable person full of kindness and compassion. He is always with a smile. He is an unassuming fine human being. He always gave a helping hand to up and coming artists. He never cared for financial gains or positions.

As President United States of America (USA) Abraham Lincoln once, said, "There is a lady behind the success of any great man," late Chitra, Ratnayake's beloved wife, was a great inspiration to him and family. Both of them, brought up their lovable disciplined children who are today, useful citizens of this country. Chitra and Ratnayake can be proud of their children, grandsons, granddaughters. Her demise was an irreparable loss for the entire family and for all of us. She was a sweet, charming, epitome of womanhood. They are blessed with children. They are ethically siblings of an illustrious father. They are Jayantha, Lelum, Chandani and Manjula.

Victor Ratnayake opens his professional career as a music teacher at Attalapitiya, Bandarawela in 1960s. Then, he joins Nakkawatta MMV and leaves the Education Department from Thurstan College. He left the teaching profession serving nearly nine and half years, forgoing a government pension and concentrated as an artist.

In July 20, 1973 he held his first SA concert and ended this musical extravaganza in July 20, 2012. During this period, nearly 39-40 years, there were nearly 1500-2000 shows and some of them were in foreign soil. To begin a programme may be easy, but, to sustain it is a difficult task. But this charming man Ratnayake, sustained it. Undoubtedly, it is a record. It is simply magic. It shows the character of Victor Ratnayake. In early 1970s he became a radio artist and his first song was written by Arisen Ahubudu - Sinda Binda - Mohaduru Papa, Golumuhude Mutu - Ate.

He directed music in about 15 films. He directed music in the Matara Achchi film for the popular song Sandakada Pahana where the lyrics were written by late Wally Nanayakkara. This song introduced another fine artist to Sri Lanka - Suni Edirisinghe.

Success

The success of an artist or singer will always depend on the lyric writers and the orchestra. Victor Ratnayake was so fortunate that he had the two of the best lyric writers.

They are erudite scholar, highly respected Professor Sunil Ariyaratne and late Preamkeerthi De Alwis. There were number of popular songs written by two of them. Out of many beautiful songs sung by Ratnayake two of the most popular songs out of so many were Meena Nuwan Yugin Balan Meena and Api Okkoma Rajawaru which were written by Prof (Dr) Sunil Ariyaratne. He is a National Asset to Sri Lanka. In fact Api Okkoma Rajawaru is like our second National Anthem of Sri Lanka. When Victor sings this song with his melodious voice audience gets such a "kick" they virtually dance on the floor.

I have noticed in most of the foreign countries I visited, Sinhala families possess many DVDs and cassettes of Victor Ratnayake. This great artist Victor Ratnayake presented a novel musical programme titled Ira Handa Tharu - on his 71st Birthday which fell yesterday.

This show was a novel experience as his children, grandchildren, all were on stage. Ratnayake's son Jayantha Ratnayake, Chip of the old Block directed music in Ira Handa Tharu. All children, grand daughters and grand sons sang along with Ratnayake. This was the first occasion where two or three generations entertained the "Rasikas of Sri Lanka - with Victor Ratnayake."He sang Sinhala, Tamil, English and Hindi songs. Ratnayake sang the Deedar's popular song sung by Mohamed Rafi - 'Merika Kahani.'

I felt that this programme was more like a grand tribute to felicitate Ratnayake's birthday by his beloved children, grandchildren, musicians, lyric writers and last but not the least millions of "Rasikas" who appreciate Ratnayake's sweet melodious songs and music. Ratnayake is loved by everyone. In turn Ratnayake loves all of them. This unassuming man, is honest and possess high integrity.

The script of Ira Handa Tharu was written by the reputed Bandula Nanayakkarawasam. The music was be in-charge of Ratnayake's son Jayantha. This programme was presented by Sandamali Hewanayake and Wasantha Rohana., two of the best in the business.

The title Ira Handa Tharu was given by Venerable Medagoda Abhayatissa Nayake Thera.

Ira Handa Tharu musical show of Victor Ratnayake was held yesterday at Museaus College, Colombo auditorium to coincide with Victor Ratnayake's 71st Birthday. Dear Victor, you are a rare gem and a national asset. May you live long!