The magic of Malinee Peris :

Travelling the world over with music

by Nilma DOLE

The first time you meet Malinee Peris, you can't believe that she is an octogenarian for she doesn't sound like a day over sweet sixteen. Her bubbly character and subtle charm makes you feel right at home, like you've met an old friend. "I came back to Sri Lanka after five years and feel how peace has changed the country.

Malinee Peris

Malinee is a legend even now, playing the piano dexterously and has travelled the world over spreading the message of love and peace through music. Even though she doesn't speak many languages, she explains that the language of music has no barrier to unite people in harmony and good spirit.

"I was born in Colombo but lived in Moratuwa and Kesbewa where I attended the Princess of Wales College, Moratuwa so I'm not a posh upper class Colombo damsel," she said with her charming smile. She added,

"It was when I first performed at the Women's International Hall when I was 12 that many people realised that I had good talent." Later, she became one of the few students to get two scholarships to study for the music degree in piano and violin. One was from the government and the other when a fund was set up especially for her, by the Times of Ceylon where the public from all background and social strata willingly donated.

"I was quite happy and surprised that even small children donated their 50 cents pocket money and some companies donated as much as Rs. 5,000 for me," she said. Today, Malinee is an adjunct associate professor of music, teaching, potential musicians and coaching chamber ensembles at the George Washington University. "I am amazed at the talent I have found and am always happy to train budding talent into something worthwhile," she said.

Speaking about Sri Lanka's budding talent, she said that the standard of Western Music in Sri Lanka is already of high standard and nowadays Sri Lankans are gaining recognition as good western musicians who can actually play more than the traditional Kandyan bera.

Malinee won acclaim when she became a prize winner at the international Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Poland representing Sri Lanka.

Malinee was invited by the Secretary General of the United Nations to play at the concert commemorating the 22nd anniversary of the Human Rights Day. Playing for a number of orchestras and special concerts representing Sri Lanka, Malinee even had her own television program on Britain's ITV called 'Music as an International Language'.

"In February 1993, I was honoured with the title of Kala Keerthi " and added, "I aim to do more for my country and willing to give back by performing for charity to develop young talent." What is more, Malinee was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award in November 2007 by the Sri Lanka Foundation of America.

Malinee married D.A. de Silva now deceased who was a distinguished diplomat and former World Bank official and has three children, doctors domiciled in America. Speaking about her travels around the world, Malinee said that she fitted perfectly in with travelling the world with her music and going places with her husband's diplomatic life.

Offering her type of music to the world, Malinee has spread her musical muse with her albums called, 'Ravel/Debussy', 'From Portugal to Brazil', 'From Spain to Mexico' and her CD for children, 'A Child's Garland of Music'.

Amidst all her musical achievements, Malinee has had her share of bad weather. "I couldn't come to Sri Lanka for five years because I was battling a terminal illness. I wanted to give courage and support to women like me who are suffering with the hope to survive through it," she said. So she decided to launch a CD called 'My Journey from Darkness to Light with Chopin.'

A versatile and dedicated teacher and musician, Malinee said, "When I played Chopin I realised that it was a new beginning and I want all women to feel the same. The profits of the CD will go towards helping the breast cancer cause."

She hopes to publish her memoirs as a tribute to her major music career to inspire young musicians and also to give them hope to shine despite all obstacles. Malinee is a fitting example of how music can not only move but heal the discerning soul!