Sadly missed but not forgotten

by Siri HETTIARACHCHI

Clarence, an unforgettable name to music lovers of Sri Lanka, and abroad was born on August 3, 1943 in Haputale. He and other members of the family later shifted to the village of Batugedera, Ratnapura where he had the opportunity of meeting a comely lass named Sheela with whom Clarence struck up a romance. Sheela’s father opposed the affair and worse still, the maid-servant at Sheela’s household by the name of Mango Nenda became the second obstacle who took a hand in sneaking about the rendezvous between the couple to Sheela’s father.

Whatever the circumstances were, Clarence composed a song titled ‘Mango Nenda” and which ironically hit the charts of the hit parade programme and even became the best Sinhala song of the year over the SLBC. Clarence was not only an amiable person but also the keynote to his character was simplicity. He never used to adorn himself with so-called “special gimmicks” or “show offs” on stage unlike most other artists of the present era. It was the great man who initially introduced the electric guitar to the pop scene in Sri Lanka.

He also had the unique inborn ability of “speaking” to the hearts of people through music - both the young and the old alike. His music is so simple and has a wonderful quality of delving deeply into one’s soul. This could easily be understood. When one considers as to why songs of famous artists in the music scene of Sri Lanka for whom Clarence has composed music, is still so popular.

To quote but one example, he has composed music for 41 songs of popular singer T.M. Jayaratne. Clarence had the rare privilege of providing lyrics, melody and music for a song sung by Pandit Amaradeva in the teledrama “Nidikumba Mal”. In fact, Clarence was the music director for a number of films including “Sikuruliya” which was an instant hit and several teledramas.

The popularity of Clarence is clearly seen in the modern era too when one considers the outcome of two of the recently held shows by Marians by the name of “Tribute to Clarence”.