Milton: the vibe of romantic songs
Twelfth death anniversary today :
Channa Bandara Wijekoon
His emotional and youthful voice touched the hearts of many,
especially the lovers in all walks of life. He was an incarnation of a
Saint who descended upon our island to sooth the emotions of people who
seek the true meaning of love. Milton Mallawarachchi thus boldly took us
all on an exploration of 'True Love'...to an extent where no other local
singer has taken us before or after.
|
Milton Mallawarachchi |
The song Ran Kooduwa oba Sadoo... Milton sang for his very first LP
record depicts the voice of a disheartened young lover who had been
deserted by his girlfriend. One would end up in tears if he or she
listens to this song in a fitting context. This was the 'Magic' in
Milton Mallawarachchi's voice. Milton gifted his fans an array of
similar songs such as Sithum Pathum podi Adarae, Sanda uthura Gangawe,
Pem Rajadahane(with Rukmani Devi), Upul Nuwan Vidaha , Ae.. nowe.. Ma
soya..Peminiye.. Kisidine.., over a career span of three decades. He was
the guardian angel of young lovers to whom he offered a shoulder to weep
on when they are in dismay.
It all began when Milton together with the late veteran Herbert
Ranjit Peiris, formed a group called 'Shakyans' and performed in small
get-togethers. While Herbert played his harmonium in 'Paduru parties',
young Milton used to sing popular songs of that time including Hindi
numbers and in the process, his vocal chords were tested perfectly.
Subsequently, he had a stint with the group 'La Ceylonians' with Noel
Ranasinghe.
A recording engineer called Mervi Rodrigo played a significant role
in Milton's singing career. He introduced young Milton to Patrick Corera
who offered him to record four songs for an LP, which were Oruwaka
Pawena, Sansara Sewanella, Mangale Neth and Ran Kooduwa. Oruwaka Pawena
became an evergreen hit. The late Karunaratne Abeysekera and Mohamed
Sali did the lyrics and music scores.
Patrick Denipitiya with his mesmerizing melodies created a new phase
in Milton's singing career. He along with Clarence Wijewardena gave a
western touch to Milton's songs. Milton's voice perfectly harmonized
with the melodies created by this duo. The duet Samanala Raenak Sae..
Milton sang along with Indrani Perera for the film Senakeliya was one of
the most romantic film songs ever recorded. Patrick Denipitiya was the
melody maker.
Melroy Dharmaratne and Victor Ratnayake too created novel melodies
for Milton. In an era sans television, Milton created pleasant visuals
in his listeners' minds with his highly emotional and gushy voice. He
paid careful attention to lyrics and rehearsed the songs many a time,
before going for final recordings, giving light to true professionalism.
70's decade was the golden era in Milton's singing career.
In 1971 Milton sang for the film Pujithayo. Sarath Dasanayake and M K
Rocksamy the divine musicians with film director Sena Samarasinghe
identified the credible screen voice of Milton's and offered him to sing
for Gamini Fonseka in an array of films. These film songs such as
Vikasitha Pethuman(Asha Desin) , Nilla Nagana (Nilla Soya) , Tharu Paya
Akase (Yali Hamuwennai), Aeka kali(Hindi)(Syril Malli) became super
hits. Milton was the only singer who could rub shoulders with Jothi to
sing for Gamini. Renowned filmmaker Dr. Lester James Peiris honored
Milton by offering him the song Upul Nuwan Vidaha in his film Ahasin
Polowata.
Over a period of three decades, Milton had sung over 100 film songs
and had over 1000 songs in his kitty. He clinched the Sarasaviya award
for the best playback singer in 1984 for the song Kendan Yannam in the
Sena Samarasinghe film Aethin Aethata. Priya Sooryasena and Gretien
Ananda sang this too in the film. Milton never performed abroad as a
principal.
A young super star contestant in television singing Uyanak piri pipi
mal.. ada parawela...wihangun gayu geewel...ada nethi wela...echoes in
my mind. Milton with his demise had created a void in our lives. Milton
Mallawarachchi the divine singer will be remembered as the 'Prince of
Romance' in the hearts of Sri Lankans forever.
********
Milton in short
* Born in April 7, 1945
* Studied at Kotte Ananda Shastralaya
* Formed the group Shakyans with Herbert Ranjit Peiris
* Became a member in the group La Ceylonians
* Became an employee at Nawaloka Group
* Met Patrick Corera and recorded 4 songs for a record under Philips
label in 1969
* Married Swarna Malathie in 1973
* Sang Aetha Epita Dura Akase for his beloved wife Swarna
* Did the first audio cassette in Sri lanka, Sanden Eha in 1978
* Won the Sarasaviya award for best playback singer in 1984
* Never accepted foreign trips as a principal
* Dedicated songs for his 4 children Ranil,Harshani, Nadija and
Tharaka
* Sang for Gamini Fonseka in Sena Samarasinghe films
* Sang the duet Lova Gemburui with his son Ranil Mallawarachchi
* Sang for Samson Kumarage's tele drama Hima Kedella
* Became the Virah Geeth heart throb of all Sri Lankans and bid adieu
to his motherland on March 10, 1998
******** |
