Jagath Wickramasinghe is a popular singer, a Keyboard virtuoso, a music director and a composer who believes in exploring the world music and absorbing the best of it in order to feed Sri Lankan music with a unique cultural identity. Here are the excerpts from the interview, the Sunday Observer had with this musician.

By Amal HEWAVISSENTI

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Q: As a musician how do you welcome each day?

A: I don’t really have a pressing schedule of work. I’m usually up by 5 a.m. and fulfil the household routine. I drop the my children to school and get on with my work at the studio around 9.00 a.m. If I’m not outgoing on special enterprise.

Q: Your work at the studio.... Could you elaborate a bit on it?

A: I practically do music recording using about five computers and keyboards at my personal studio. I’m there till evening and sometimes the recording hours may span to midnight. I’ve got used to it.

Q: How would you mark out your impressively memorable childhood?

A: Well, I was born at Kolonnawa. We were the first batch of students in 1972 at Ashoka Kanishta Vidyalaya, Maradana, where I studied up to grade 5. After I passed the grade 5 scholarship, I attended Ananda College and studied there up to grade 10. Then I had to study at Anuradhapura Central College as my parents had got an unexpected transfer to Anuradhapura. So all my family moved in to Anuradhapura. My life was totally reshaped by the serene, rural backdrop there. Life in Anuradhapura was my most touching childhood experience because this town brought me in contact with lots of batchmates who later proved to be the cream of my friends. I vividly remember when I was at Ashoka Vidyalaya a teacher called Jayanthi Perera often involved me in school musical programmes both as a vocalist and as an instrumentalist. She carved out the vocal talent in me.

Though we were small kids of grade two, we exhibited a flair so amazing, for singing. We frequently came off victorious at all island music competitions under precise training given by that teacher. Later, as a student of Ananda College, I had the opportunity to get further training in Folk Music under Lionel Ranwala.

Q: You said life in Anuradhapura signalized a memorable landmark in you. What of that?

A: Well, the memory itself of the splendidly calm and rural backdrop of Anuradhapura still impresses me. To tell you the truth, it completely changed my standpoint to life itself. I shared diversified experiences with my friends. Our family, my friends and people there had a wonderful sense of coexistence. During our stay in Colombo, we used to have a bit unfavourable picture of Anuradhapura. We had thought it to be a place worth visiting - like a pleasurable four day trip. But it turned to be a complete misconception once we went there for residence. I was surprised by the extremely serene and healthy surroundings. The people and the subcultural background changed me a lot and opened my eyes to the broader prospects of life. For the first time, I saw a clear cut contrast between the sickeningly restless and noisy Colombo and culturally inspiring Anuradhapura. The Mahamewna, the great Bo tree and other monuments imbued me with unruffled feelings and sense of deep mental rest. We have a house there even now but nobody is there at this moment.

Q: Education factor plays a key role not only in defining one’s goals but also in sharpening and elevating one’s career. To outline your educational history.....

A: My parents were teachers of music, so we were bred up in a perfect atmosphere of music at home. But I was engineering oriented and studied maths for A/Ls. Unfortunately my studies halted in a deadlock because of the political chaos which was in full swing during 1980’s. Later on, I followed a civil engineering course and specialised in Building Construction. I even worked in many building sites as an engineer. But my fire was always focused on electronics and electrical. Indeed, I was not at all interested in or satisfied with my post as a civil engineer. Meanwhile I deeply studied electronics and electrical.

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Q: How about your friends?

A: As I told you earlier, most of my best friends are from Anuradhapura. They’re educated - highly educated. Most of my batchmates are holding responsible positions both in this country and in foreign countries. When compared to the percentage of my friends in Colombo, those friends are far more advanced and educated. I often meet them on my foreign tours. They are in surprisingly high positions and are held in great esteem in those countries. Most often they make me feel at home whenever I’m in a foreign country on music tours. By an ironic twist of fate, I wasn’t able to complete my engineering course. My studies were disrupted at the last moment. I had many problems. But I assuredly tell you that I was the cleverest in the class. Yet my friends have gone further in their studies and professions.

Q: Your statement carries an undercurrent of disappointment or rather a sense of unfulfillment. Don’t you feel that you should have forced your way through your studies and reached the social stability that your friends are enjoying today?

A: The answer is point blank No. I’m really proud to be an artist. For example there may be many engineers in our country. A group of engineers cannot be distinguished from one another. All of them are same under the category “engineers”. But in complete contrast, an artist has a unique image and identity. Every artist has his own charismatic identity. Artists are relatively few in number. To make a long story short an artist lives on the love of the audience. The artist is constantly rewarded with popularity and publicity. Every artist is prominent merely because he has his own image. Artists are the nonpareils in themselves. Most often I feel If I were an engineer I would definitely have missed this “lightness” and calm in mind because an engineer has much bigger responsibilities and formidable tasks which drain the peace of mind.

Q: As an instrumentalist, a vocalist and a music director, how do you maintain a fair balance between your music and family life?

A: As I told you earlier, everyone of our family has a keen sense of music and a good understanding of a musician’s life. So music hasn’t had any detrimental impact on my family life. Although my siblings are doctors, architects and teachers they have a sound knowledge about and good flavour for, music. My best critics are the family. Their criticisms are exceptionally constructive of me. They are very penetrating and point out faults and defects of my programmes.

Q: That means an atmosphere of warmth and unity reigns supreme in your family?

A: Yes! my mother did everything for me until I got married. Even now she counsels and guides me in whatever I do. In the year 2000, I got married on proposal. She is a teacher of music at Bauddha Vidyalaya, Maharagama. I am proud to be a father of three kids - one son and two daughters. My younger brother, elder sister and younger sister live in this house with me as one family.

Q: So you’re vehemently against the people who detach themselves from their main family after marriage....

A: Yes, such a person baselessly fears intervention from his family into his married life. This is absolute myth so long as he has correct attitudes. As long as we are well aware of our priorities and joint responsibilities, no possibility is there for problems. In my case, I have earnestly requested my sister to stay with my family though they have their own houses. Even my younger brother Prabath, a doctor, lives with our family. Cooperation is vital for us. This I think is the best example we can set for our children.

Q: How you made your breakthrough debut on the music arena might be an interesting story....

A: Well, yes. During the first half of 1990s I forwarded an application to the music section of SLBC. I got selected as a music producer. I played instruments for programmes and composed my own music. I made many contributions to new creations. There I had the rare chance of working together with the music elite at the time and I got much experience from them as a young musician. It was the SLBC which brought me in contact with the senior music maestros whom I respected and loved very much.

Q: And you masterminded some of the superb music programmes on television. To name a few...?

A: In the mid 90s we planned our own programme on T.V. “Prathibha”. After that “Sawasangeetha,” “Manohari” “Yathra” “Nidukaneni”, “Ananda Rathri”, “Miyuru Sara”, “Pedehi Rasahav” followed with surprising response from the viewers. In parallel to these, I did some novel programmes on I.T.N. They are “Ridma Tharanga”, “Shantha Me Re Yaame”, “Thani Tharuwa”, “Nishanthaya”. After that I supported the “9.05” programme with music. Later, for the first time in Sri Lanka, I made a documentary on Arthur C. Clarke. Hema Nalin Karunarathna co-worked with me on this documentary telecast on SLRC.

Q: How would you internationalise your outlook in music? Something about your foreign tours.....

A: In 1990, I participated in an international singing competition as a singer. Since 1991, I’ve been touring to around 38 countries. I performed there as a vocalist, instrumentalist and a director of music. On my foreign tours, I’m usually accompanied by the full range of artists from Amaradeva to Bhathiya Santhush, Namal Udugama, Keerthi Pasquel etc. Every time I take special care to promote our music and culture in foreign countries. We must project the identity of our culture and music. Unless we do it we are sure to be swept off from the international stage. I’m planning to go to London this month with some other artists.

Q: Some time back we saw you unleashing your potential flair for acting in some teleplays. Can a musician be a good actor?

A: I have proved it. In 1991, I involved myself in some teledramas. As an actor I made every possible effort to give my level best to the viewers. I acted in teleplays like “Kande Gedara”, “Doodaruwo”, Athugala Paamula”, “Shapa Nokaraw Daruwane”, and “Sasala Ruwa”. Because of my career as a musician, I got a chance to broaden my spectrum of talents.

Q: Was there any rolemodel for you in music or, Who or what inspired you to take up music as your career?

A: My parents were noticeably involved in the field of music those days. So the prominent maestros at that time were the intimate friends of our parents. Among them were W. D. Amaradeva, Victor Rathnayake, Sanath Nandasiri, Nanda Malani, Latha Walpola and many others. These were the singers and music directors. My father brought me a guitar as a birthday gift. That was the basic influence for me to dive into music. My father trained me with the guitar and opened new doors to western music. My father was best both in oriental and Western music, I began to study the music. The songs of Lionel Richie, Jim Reeves, Stevie Wonder impressed me much. I listened to every type of music and later understood how advanced that music was. These helped me very much in my creations.

Q: Something about your music contemporaries...? Your fusion band?

A: When I was at SLBC, I had a team of friends with superb talents. Some of them are Pradeep Rathnayake, the sitarist, Manoj Pieries, the tablist, Jude Pieries, Nalaka Anjana Kumara, Mahinda Bandara, Ananda Perera and Anthony Surendra. They are unarguably the best of the musicians in our country despite numerous bands coming up the scene day by day. Earlier, we got together and formed a fusion band. Later it disbanded as I found myself unable to be limited to a band. I friendly explained matters to them and left the band “Shakthi” on mutual understanding. I simply wanted to work independently on my creations.

Q: How do you view the current musical trend and trendsetters?

A: There is no special group called current musical generation. From time to time people come out with new trends and experimentations. They only test their creations. Even I was a product of this “new generation” at that time. However the new generation of music is truly talented and exploratory. The problem is that they seem to misuse their talents. They are not interested in promoting our cultural identity through music. Instead, what we see in their style of music is the projecting of the foreign trends and values. But what should happen is projecting our unique style of music in international music arena.

Q: What you’re trying to say is their promoting of foreign styles is detrimental to the younger generation and to the culture at large.

A: I’m not cynical about them. There are many talented youth in the current music arena. They seem to believe in just the current fad. Perhaps when they advance with age, they will ultimately realise what they have done and will reshape their attitudes and trends. They should train their voice better.

Q: What is the role of media and modern technology in boosting the music?

A: First of all the electronic media must focus on the quality of music that they’re giving publicity to. When a new song with visuals is released, media has a responsibility to check the quality of that particular song and check whether it fits favourably to the younger generation and children. Electronic media has a serious responsibility to upgrade the qualitatively best in music. As to modern technology, I am in favour of using modern technology for music. To go forward without modern technology is a joke! But it must be employed correctly to bring out the best in music.

Q: How do you see the theme of love?

A: There’re many types of love. The love we get from our parents, the teachers’ love, the friends’ love and the youthful love. Personally, I believe that most people really feel the “Youthful love”. They seem to believe they’re reborn with love when they become young. This is because the “five senses” have fully developed when someone becomes an adolescent. Although a person receives much love during childhood, he is forgetful about it. His fully developed “five senses” only see the youthful love. I have included the theme of youthful love in my songs. The theme of broken love, separation is also present in my songs. Some of them are popular hits. However, the theme of love should be included in a work of art with a great deal of discipline. Love is a holy feeling. It is a sweet, and fascinating experience. We should use music to make people enjoy love, but not to suffer with it.

Q: If you describe Jagath Wickramasinghe as a type of guy who...

A: Was born to be a musician. I was really born for music. I respect non violent approach to everything. And I have no high hopes for anything. I believe in the dignity of my teachers and always try to walk on their path. I have two hopes. One is to have a long life. The other is to produce high quality creations in music.