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| Sunday, 19 September 2004 |
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Features |  |
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Premasiri Khemadasa : Maestro for all timeby Lakmal Welabada
How does one describe an icon whose influence has shaped and moulded a country's musical culture for forty years? Mere words don't do justice. For, Premasiri Khemadasa isn't someone who can be explained away in a few pithy phrases. Somewhat feeble, his health wrecked by a debilitating sickness, the maestro is a far cry from the figure that cut a dashing swath across the musical vista all those years ago. But the magic of his creativity still reverberates strong as ever, not simply in his music, but also in his willingness to reach out to the young and share his musical proficiency, expertise and his genius. Seated under a 'Kottamba' tree in a corner of the sprawling environs of the BMICH, where he has been conducting free music classes for talented youth for the past ten years, the unassuming maestro talks about his humble beginnings and his entry into music. "I do not come from a family with a musical background," he says, talking about his parents and family of nine siblings; all of who lived in Panadura. Khemadasa's parents were dairy farmers, and the family income was derived from selling milk and milk products. "We had a big herd of cattle," beams an adult and ageing Khemadasa, who was the youngest in the family. Khemadasa's parents wanted their children to have a good education, and sent the boys to Sri Sumangala Boys College, Panadura. Little Khemadasa though not showing any inclination towards music, was however very studious. He got his first double promotion when he was in the fifth standard. But at age fifteen, an incident which he perceives as 'discrimination by the Principal' made him dislike both school and studies. "The principal did not give five of us the due double promotion. I was really disheartened and lost interest in everything," he says. After sitting for his Junior School Certificate (JSC) exam, young Khemadasa wanted to quit studies, but he didn't know what he wanted to do. Though known as a 'Humming bird' since he was a child, he didn't think of music as a career option and didn't realise he had an enviable talent, until he came across a bamboo flute hanging at a shop in Panadura. He started playing the flute to his father's herd of cattle, and so a great musician was born. Soon young Khemadasa became a popular musician in the area. On the urging of his friends Khemadasa took part in the school concert at St. Joseph's College, Panadura. The Principal of St. Joseph's was astonished at the beauty of the music played by the youngster and invited him to join the school, turning a new leaf in his life. Khemadasa did his Senior School Certificate (SSC) at his new school, but did not want to discontinue learning music, which had already become his passion. While studying for the SSC, Khemadasa started studying music, and came to Colombo during the weekend to learn the art from many veteran teachers. And after his SSC, he decided to dedicate his whole life to music and came to Colombo. He was 18 years old. "I had to survive on my own as no one was willing to help me. It was hard, but something prevented me from turning back. I played music at weddings and other small functions for a living while studying," he reminisces. While listening to various 'ragas', Khemadasa felt that he had a creative talent for composition. Whenever he saw a set of lyrics written by a known or unknown poet he created a beautiful tune to suit the words. And before long he established a reputation as a skilful composer. Singers began coming to him for melodies to their songs. Not a musician restricted to Eastern melodies Khemadasa was also inspired by Western musical traditions and never missed a single Symphony Orchestra's performance in Colombo. "Music composition is a philosophy. You have to study the rhythm of different characters of humankind, social and economic differences and nature, if you want to do a good creation. Whether it's natural or artificial studying the rhythm of things around us is an interesting subject. As an example the rhythm we find in the sea area differs from the rhythm in Kandy. A train and a railway track would be giving a different type of musical tune than a sound we find in a bus. You have to be vigilant of all these, if you are to be a good musician," says the Master of many compositions, giving a peak into his creative thinking. In 1959, Khemadasa started his own music school, 'Sangeetha Manjariya' at Maradana. His first musical was 'Beri Sil' based on a priest who later gives up his robes. He followed this up with 'Kele Mal' (wild flowers) and later did 'Nawa Rella' (new wave). In 1963 he wrote a new year musical symphony based on folk music, probably the first ever symphony in Sri Lanka. 'The sea symphony' he created in 1964 added a new dimension to the musical history of this country. The founder of Sinhala operas in Sri Lanka, his operas 'Manasavila' (1993), 'Doramadalawa' (1994) and Ondura', Warnadasi' (2001) have been etched in gold letters in the annals of Lankan music history. "I have travelled to China, Russia, Paris and Vienna (Czech Republic). I was very impressed by the State sponsorship given to these composers. It's a tragedy that Sri Lankan musicians have not got that kind of appreciation," he laments, bemoaning the fact that music is still to receive any formal recognition. "We, Sri Lankan musicians are still to receive any formal recognition. Even for that the State has a big role to play. We, being the musicians alone cannot do it," he points out. Listening to Khemadasa talk one can't resist wondering why he has not thought of lending his voice to the music he creates. After all Sachin Dev Burman, the great Indian musician was a singer as well as a music director of many films. "I've always felt that I am a better musician than a singer. So I'm trying my best to use my gift as a music composer and create melodies for others. When a singer sings well to my tune, that is the utmost satisfaction I get from life," he laughs. He talks about his students. "Earlier we had a good set of students devoted to what they were studying. Now, we rarely find that kind of devotion. Music is a subject that should be learnt with lot of dedication," he explains, happily claiming that his two daughters have decided to carry forward the heritage of their veteran musician father. "My elder daughter Anupa studied piano and musicology at the Charles University, Czech Republic. And at present she is living in Toronto, Canada, and plays the Cello at concerts. She also a teacher at Charles University. My younger daughter Gayathri is still at the Charles University studying piano and musicology," he says with a smile. ***** Man and master by Chamitha Kuruppu An unpretentious garage facing the sprawling car park at the BMICH ... This is where one would find Maestro Premasiri Khemadasa, doing what he does best and doing it with great passion ... Sharing his musical genius and helping the rural youth to fine hone their talent. He is not ashamed to sit on a broken chair and he doesn't grudge the long hours he spends in the cramped room, sharing his expertise and his dreams with the youth. In a world where opera music is worshipped as an exhilarating over-the-top emotion, it was this small room that gave birth to almost all the operas that were staged in Sri Lanka. Although it was the 'upper class' that is often involved with opera music in most parts of the world, master Khemadasa has been using opera, as a mode to develop the talents of the underprivileged youth in the country. He could have easily conducted classes for members of high society and charged an exorbitant fee garnishing privileges for the learners and for himself as well. But he chose to do otherwise. "As a child, I wanted to be an Opera singer but had shelved, the dream as being just that, a dream. But then an unplanned visit to the BMICH car park three years ago and the accidental discovery of singing lessons conducted by Master Khemadasa, had me, rethinking my dream. The next day I telephoned master Khemadasa and told him I would like to train under him. "Are you willing to come for practices everyday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.? was his only question. "Yes, I will", I said. "It's not an easy task but you can meet me tomorrow morning", he said. I met him the following day and after he made me sing several scales, he said "It's not as easy as you think, you need a lot of dedication. It's a difficult task but if you are willing to take that, you can join Khemadasa foundation". The lessons were not merely confined to singing and vocal exercises as I had thought somewhat newly. During morning sessions we had jogging, exercises for the ribs and abdomen, breathing exercises and long hours of yoga. So by the time the rest started their singing I had almost lost all the energy I had. However, two weeks later due to personal reasons I had to quit training. But those two weeks with master Khemadasa made me realise that the wonderful person who lives inside him is much more powerful than the music genius the rest of the world knows''. He would not only share his vast knowledge in music free of charge but also provide meals for his students and make sure that the breakfast he brought every morning had plenty of variety. "What did we have yesterday? Wasn't it string hoppers? Ha! So we are having bread and dhal curry today? he says. It was the same with lunch as well. And it wasn't only students who benefitted from his largest but also the dogs and cats that got into the habit of following his car, when it entered the BMICH premises. It was amazing to see how master Khemadasa would bring food for the cats and dogs in different packs and patiently stand guard over them till they finished eating, chasing away the crows disturbing the animals from having a peaceful meal. For his students he is more than a teacher. A loving father, a great friend and a brilliant entertainer, he would sometimes call the students by the names of celebrities and enjoyed their response. ****** Khemadasa composed music for 'Senasuma Kothenada' ***** He won The 'Best Musician Award' -at the Sarasaviya Film Festival in 1967 for Golu Hadawatha The Journalist and Critics Award in 1966 **** Operas 'Manasavila' - (1993), |
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