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| Sunday, 20 November 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Jananath Warakagoda :
A passion for drums by Chamitha Kuruppu I ring his mobile phone before meeting him for the interview the way we had agreed the previous day. The phone keeps ringing. Worried the appointment is most likely to be called off, I try his land telephone.
However, I decide to be in his studio at 11 o'clock for the interview. While waiting there, Chinthaka, my nervous photographer starts meddling with his phone, and starts doing everything he can to kill time. I enjoy looking at the beautiful photographs on the wall. Finally, nearly after one hour, Jananath Warakagoda decides to show up. "Well, here I am" he says with a radiant smile dropping on to a chair. "Sleeping is my thing. Apart from music, sleeping is what I enjoy the most," he chuckles. Jananath is one of the busiest young musicians in the country. Scribbles in front of every single day of his personal organiser proves that he is overloaded with musical concerts, TV programs, foreign tours and of course press interviews.
Jananath's love for drums has made him travel around the world to study about this wonderful music instrument and the vast knowledge he has gained is unbeatable. Born and bred in an artistic family little Jananath started his first lessons in music at the age of four under the guidance of maestro Shelton Premaratne. Keyboard was the first musical instrument Jananath tried his hands on. But he believed that his hands did a better job when he does his 'little drum beats'. A little Jananath tapping on the table was a common scene in the Warakagoda house. Jananath soon became the little drummer boy in his family and they all believed he was blessed with an exceptional talent even before he had to know the feel of a real drum. Jananath's father, veteran actor Wijeratne Warakagoda who had already identified the talent of his son dreamt of making him a thabla player. At the age of eight this little drummer was introduced to the veteran musician D.R. Pieris to enhance his knowledge in Indian classical music. Jananath has completed his Visharadha in Indian classical music and also learnt Classical Raga under B. Victor Perera. "I am greatful to both my guru's and my parents for shaping my knowledge. If it wasn't for that brilliant start I would not have achieved any of this today," stresses Jananath. However, his passion for drums did not keep him away from other arts. He mastered dancing under Channa Wijewardena to whom he composes music at present. After a song sung by little Jananath for the "Sandamama"' radio programme, his first experience of its kind, he became a frequent participant at such programmes. A proud product of Asoka College and Ananda College Colombo, Jananath boasts of being a member of the college music band which he recalls as a brilliant experience. "From the time I started to learn the thabla I had a desire to learn Sri Lankan drums, which kept growing day by day," recalls Jananath. As he wished he studied traditional Sri Lankan drums under veteran artist Piyasara Shilpadipathi. "From the very first lesson I fell in love with four amazing drums in the world; Kandyan drum, Low country drum, Dawula and Thammattama," notes Jananath. "Sri Lankan music is often mistaken with Indian music by foreigners. But I believe that these four drums are the true identity of Sri Lankan music. Nowhere in the world can you find anything similar to these four drums. So I decided to learn more about traditional local drums and take it out in to the world," emphasises Jananath. World acclaimed Indian thabla player Zackir Hussain,Indian Thilok Guru, Yanni and US drummer Billi Coban and Shivamani are Jananath's favourites. "If you think I am exceptional you should listen to them. To be honest compared to them I am a nobody. But my only wish is to be like them and make Sri Lankan drums prominent among international music lovers," Jananath points out. He rates Indian music as his favourite. Arabic, Mexican and Red Indian are also among his most admired music. "A good musician should have a knowledge about different music from around the world. And one should also appreciate such music," he says. He has tried his hand at hundreds of drums around the world. But what's his favourite drum? "It's the 'Thammattama'. There is no doubt that this is the mother instrument. The 'talking drum' is the other drum I admire most." "Do you know that playing the guitar is one of my biggest dreams?" queries Jananath, sharing a long-kept secret. "Base guitar is one of my favourite instruments. But, since I am a left hander playing the guitar is a difficult task," he explains. He is currently busy as a budding music composer. He boasts that the Music Interlude before the Rupavahini News Bulletins are his masterpieces. Jananath has also composed music for many teledramas. And for all those who awaited all these years to listen to his amazing music he has news for you. This budding musician hopes to release his first music album early next year. He is also drawing plans to work on an Instrumental Album soon. But the biggest dream of this youth is a 'concert of drums'. "It's a dream I want to realise" he stresses. According to Jananath, he plans to perform with youth from around the country trained by him especially for the concert. "I want to make it a novel experience to Sri Lankans and tell the world Sri Lanka has a proud history and identity in music,". |
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His father answers from the other end. After my explanation his worried
father apologises "He sleeps till very late after spending the night in his
studio. It was four in the morning when he went to bed last night. Are you
sure about the time he has asked to meet you?" 
His good looks says he is fit for acting. His amazing voice assures he
has a future in singing. His excellent knowledge in technology makes one
wonder about his intelligence. But, it's his marvellous drum beats that
makes him exceptional. 
