"Rohana Sathsara": goes to Sydney Opera House

by Indunil Weeraratne

Translated by Ranga Chandraratne

A youngster entered the field of music in 70s.His compositions were unique in style and carries an intrinsic quality with it.Soon, this particular style won the heart and minds of the music loving public as well as film and teledrama directors.

Thus, Rohana Weerasinghe became a much-sought after personality in the Sri Lankan cultural scene. He earned laurels by winning many awards including the Best Music Director's award which Rohana won with H.M Jayawardena for Wijaya Dharmasri's " Aradana" at the " Sarasaviya" film festival in 1982.

Rohana Weerasinghe was interviewed a few days before he left for Australia to hold his concert at the famous " Opera House".

In a few day's time, you are leaving for Australia, what have you to say ?

My concert " Adaraniya Rohana " which was held at the BMICH in February 2002, became very popular not only here but also among Sri Lankans domiciled in other countries of the globe. All most all expatriate Sri Lankans have watched this concert on CD.

Kithsiri Karunaratne, one of my fans in Sydney who has connections with the famous " Opera House" had also watched my concert. And he invited me to hold my concert there. I am , indeed, very happy to accept this invitation as I consider it an honour to hold my concert at the " Opera House".

Can you say something about the " Opera House" ?

The " Opera House" is a world famous theatre complex with a seating capacity for over 3000 .The Complex consists of specially designed vestibules for Operas, films, drama and concerts. I consider it a privilege to be invited to perform at the Opera House.

This will be a big challenge isn't it?

I have conducted many concerts in different parts of the globe. For these concerts, a small group of artistes have participated. However, this is the first time that 15 Australian artistes will perform with 10 of our talented Sri Lankan artistes in " Rohana Sathsara" concert. This is a challenge.

So I have already sent my compositions in CD form to the Australian artistes so that they can practice. They are now rehearsing. I believe this would ensure a high quality performance and would be a memorable occasion for the audience.

What about the Sri Lankan performers?

As I have composed music for different generations of artistes, I selected artistes representing these generations. Nanda Malini, Victor Ratnayake, Sunil Edirisinghe, Edward Jayakody, Deepika and Charitha Priyadarshani and Harsha Dissanayaka.

Artistes representing the present generation of singers will also perform at the concert. The Concert will be preceded by a brief presentation by Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne on Sri Lankan music and my contribution to it.

What are the special features of the concert ?

A performance by dancers from the Sri Lankan Community in Australia choreographed by Channa Wijewardena will be staged at the Opera House. For the first time, Dayananda Perera, a Sri Lankan will control the sounds for a performance at Opera House.

The show will be videoed under the direction of Suminda Weerasinghe and arrangements have been made to telecast it on 'Ropavahini'.

When will the concert be held ?

It will be held on 3 September, 2006 at the concert hall of " Opera House" and another performance of the concert will be held at Robert Blackwood hall which is affiliated to the University of Monash.

How would you look back on your phenomenal career in music ?

I commenced my career in music after I passed out from the Government College of Music - Heywood College. At that time I had the opportunity of co-singing with other experienced singers.

Thereafter, I played Sitar music for films and EP discs , under versatile music directors such as maestro Premasiri Khemadasa, Victor Ratnayaka, Ameradeva, Shelton Perera and Roksamy. With this experience, I started to compose music for songs and teledramas and I won a number of awards for them.

I have been appointed an Adviser on Art and Culture to serve the nation. Many programmes aimed at promoting and encouraging Sri Lankan artistes have already been used. The present levy on foreign teledramas is one measure.

Another measure is that each song that is broadcast on radio channels, a sum of Rs 6 is paid to the lyricist while a sum of Rs.6 is paid to the musician and vocalist. If the song is played on a tv channel, a sum of Rs 90 and Rs 30 for the lyricist, musician and vocalist will be paid.

All media heads have agreed to this scheme. Another programme is the fund set up to introduce social security scheme for elderly artistes. A lot of Sri Lankans from expatriate community have considerably contributed to this fund.

What is your comment on the new generation of music in the country?

Music is a universal language and there is ample space for novel creations. We should derive the best of all traditions of music. But I feel that young musicians are only copying an d not being creative.

Due to the advancement in technology, any one can sing. Even without any ability to do so. What I think is that anyone who wishes to sing should have the innate ability and skill and what is to be done is to develop and whetted with appropriate exercise under proper guidance.

Most of the new generation musicians have scant respect for veterans in the field. I a all praise for those new generation musicians who studied music well and endeavour to make a genuine contribution to the field.