A garland of Hindustani classical music

A rare feat of performance and window into the world of classical music

Speaking on the present attitude of music, Dr. Thushara Ratnayake is of the opinion that artistes conveniently forget the fact that one has to master an area in order to be an authority. For instance, during his studies in India, Thushara was not allowed to play any instruments other than the violin in which he specialised. Dr. Thushara Ratnayake believes that musicians or vocalists who outshine even in the field of popular music, are those who have learnt their craft in a hard way.

However, those veterans, as if they are hypocrites, do not divulge the fact they have mastered an area of the subject and impart piecemeal education to their students. Because of this, this system of education produces mediocre artists.

Dr. Ratnayake further pointed out that this piecemeal education has, in fact, diminished inborn talents of students who excelled at school after two year's stay at the University. There are some students who will not delve into the intricacies of the music, considering future employment prospects and they eventually prepare for a vocation. He states that the syllabus of the Music has been prepared by persons of shallow understanding of the subject and tried to incorporate almost every subject into music. For instance, subjects such as humanities, comparative music, folk music, classical, percussion have been included into the syllabus.

Although these subjects are important components, he is of the view, that one should master one area before delving into other areas so that the artistes have a thorough grasp of the subject. Until major reforms are brought about in the areas of curricular formation with that vision in focus, the present crisis in the teaching of aesthetic subjects will further aggravate. The harsh truth is that person who outshone in the university was an outsider.

Dr. Thushara Ratnayake stated that he was rather disappointed about the set up in the university on accounting of the unfriendly environment and backstabbing. Speaking on the forthcoming show organised by his students, Dr. Thushara Ratnayake stressed the fact that it had generated a mix reaction from the staff.

Recollecting his student days in India, he studied under the guidance of Prof. R. P. Shasthri in harsh climatic conditions with an unbearable winter and equally scorching summer. Onset of the winter, people evacuate from the province into other provinces, virtually bringing Banaras to standstill. For the doctoral degree, students were asked to select five categories out of 13 categories; Ragas in Kaunce, Kanada, Danashri and Kamajanga categories. Students had to make forty compositions based on selected Raga and to perform them. Composition should reflect basic characteristics of the Raga in an aesthetically satisfying manner (gath).

By the end of 1989, Dr.Thushara Ratnayake joined the University of Visual and Performing Arts as a Lecturer. Though the students of the University of Visual and Performing Arts welcomed him as they were eager to learn from an expert teacher, it was rather a snobbish welcome he received from the staff who perceived him as a potential threat to their career prospects.

	Classical violinist paints his pictures on silence.

Describing the under cutting and backstabbing in the field, Dr.Thushara Ratnayake stated that even interview procedures have been tampered with , in order to recruit the person that the group wanted to and that the university staff is infected with professional gangsterism that prevents talented person entering the academic staff.

Speaking on the present status of classical music in Sri Lanka, Dr. Thushara Ratnayake stated that each and every one could not appreciate classical music and one has to have either an understanding of classical music or has to learn to appreciate it. Unless classical music is taught in the proper manner, it is not possible to raise the standard of classical music. Light music is for the ordinary citizens who have little understanding of the music. General perception of music is that the song is the supreme product music. However, in fact, a song is the entry point for ordinary citizens into the deep seas of music.

One, who has steeped in the tradition of classical music, cannot appreciate any zest in light music. He is of the view that one should not perform classical music if he or she does not learn it properly. Playing classical music on a national day of mourning, ill-performance of classical music and none availability of space in mass media such as television and radio for classical music has also contributed to the present status of classical music in Sri Lanka. This has resulted in gross ignorance of classical music. A little space in media for classical music has also been occupied by those who have shifted to light music though they have mastered classical music at early stage of their careers.

On tutored voices, Dr. Thushara Ratnayake is of the view that perfection of notes in a vocalist who has trained in classical music is distinguishable from an untutored voice. This is applicable to performers. For instance, Bishmiallah Khan's performance is considered peerless and unique.

One insignificant event would have a profound influence in one's life, sometimes, almost changing the course of life. It may not be applicable to each and every one of us but certainly for Dr.Thushara Ratnayake who stumbled upon the violin that is to occupy the rest of his life.

As a child of eleven years, he (Dr. Ratnayake) asked for a guitar in a showcase as the New Year prize. It was a customary that a child received a prize for the Sinhala New Year. Thushara's father who worked at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) took him to the studios so that he could listen to the voice recording of Maestro W. D. Ameradeva. Following the recording young Thushara was asked to select an instrument from the orchestra. Consulting his memories of the instrument he saw in the showcase, young Thushara selected the violin which was somewhat similar to the guitar in shape.

Subsequently Dr. Thushara Ratnayake commenced his formal studies under the tutelage of Visharadha Somasiri Ilesinghe who was his father's friend, on January 13, 1978.

At the time, Thushara Ratnayaka was schooling at Ashoka Junior School which is now Ashoka College. Although he engaged in extensive practice of the violin at home, Thushara Ratnayake did not come into the lime light until he presented a classical violin recital, for the first time, in a programme aired over SLBC in 1983. However, he was better known for his talents among his friends following a television programme.

Though he passed the Advanced Level examination and was duly selected for the University of Colombo in 1987, prevalent situation compelled him to pursue his dream of studying music in India. In 1989, he joined the Banaras Hindu University.

Having extensively practised violin and studied up to Visharadha examination in Sri Lanka (at the age of 20), Dr. Thushara Ratnayake had the ideal background to excel in his studies at the university.

One of the salient characteristic of his phenomenal student life is that he had always recorded First division at his examinations. At the Benares Hindu University Thushara Ratnayake read for the Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree at the Department of Instrumental Music in the Faculty of Performing Arts. Dr. Thushara Ratnayake specialised in violin.

For Thushara violin is a vehicle to express his spirit out in terms of notes. As he is well versed in both North and South Indian classical music traditions, his performance is marked for its delicate admixture of traditions. He exploits the intrinsic properties of notes within few seconds, a characteristic of a highly talented player.