Amarasiri Peiris’s solo musical performance next Sunday:

An artiste like no other

by Jithendra Wijayapura

Amarasiri Peiris has earned a name as a reputed violinist and a singer in the country. His first song, Landune became a hit among many even to date. The younger generation too love his songs such as Apple Malak, Malak Wune and Mage Punchi Rosa Male. The Sunday Observer recently met this versatile artiste to capture some of the moments of his musical journey.

Q: What made you to become a music maestro?

A: My father, Albert Peiris was a great source of inspiration. Being a veteran classical Radio Ceylon artiste of the 1940s, music was an everyday part of his life, and I too thrived in music as a child. My father was a master of several instruments, including the violin, which became my passion later on. I used to accompany him to Radio Ceylon at that time, and watch recordings, violin solos and other musicals. I was keen to study music in my Advanced Level class.

It was despite the fact that there was no teacher of music at Buwanekaba Vidyalaya, Maharagama, where I studied! Since I was exposed to music at home, under the guidance of my father, I was successful in music as a subject for my AL, and eventually, entered Haywood Institute (presently University of Visual and Performing Arts).

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: My wife is Nanda. My son Madhawa took after me as a violinist. He too mastered the violin and presently, he is in Italy. I have four daughters. The eldest is Janani.

My second is Anuradha who specialised in dancing, while my third daughter Nadeera is a banker, and the youngest daughter is Subashini.

Q: If you recall your days at SLBC?

A: Upon completion of my course at Haywood, I got an offer from SLBC. Joining SLBC was considered a milestone in the life of any artiste of that era. It was an era of set standards, grading. A panel of experts, comprising eminent music directors and lyricists, used to grade all artistes, with auditions and re-auditions held to monitor standards. The aim of this selection criteria was to determine if the songs played were listener-friendly.

I joined SLBC as an A-grade violinist, and eventually, became a music conductor, a music controller. Later, at the time of my retirement, I was the Director, Music.

Q: The first song you sang at SLBC, and how did you become a singer?

A. The first song I sang into a microphone, during SLBC days, was Budu Sihila Galalaa , a Bhakthi Gee composed by Sena Weerasekera. And since my Haywood days, I have been associating with Master Premasiri Khemadasa closely.

Master’s Sangeetha Manjariya at Maradana was very popular, and I used to frequent this place. I got involved in Master’s work, and one day, after a cassette recording - Pahan Tharuwa - in which I participated as a violinist, Master took me by surprise, inviting me to sing Landune composed by the late Ranbanda Seneviratne.

It was by accident that I had to sing the song since the person who had to sing was absent on that day. I was quite taken aback, but nevertheless, I sang it to the delight of Master. He approved it on the first take itself!

Landune marks the first milestone in my singing career. It was special to me, because I was the violinist for the recording of it as well. After Landune became a hit, I was noticed by several music directors and film directors who invited me to be a background singer in their productions. Siri Medura was also a milestone. I won my first Sarasavi Award for the song Minisa Marana Thunak Ethi.

Q: Who are the artistes who have inspired you in your musical career?

A: Master Khemadasa was an overriding influence. I was fortunate to have been a member of Master’s orchestras, through which I was exposed to eminent artistes such as Douglas Ferdinands, (my violin guru) Dr. Eardley Fonseka, Harvey Deutrom and Mrs. Prince.

I also had the good fortune of coming under the wings of famous American artiste Roscoe Williams during his stay in Sri Lanka.

Q: Today, the responsibility and the role of an artiste is often debated. What is your idea?

A: First and foremost, the concept of an artiste of a Kalakaruwa has to be defined. Just because you sing a few songs or play an instrument or appear in a film or two, you cannot become an artiste.

The role of an artiste is a much more broad and hallowed one. He or she should necessarily exemplify or personify humanity, it is only a man or a woman of sensitivity who can be an artiste.

Mastering an art itself will not elevate a person to a level of an artiste. It should complement with several other ingredients of humanity. In today’s context, another crucial question often raised is a political platform suitable for an artiste.

Q: What are you presently engaged in?

A: I’m working on Hanthanata Payana Sanda a solo musical show to be held on May 18, 2014 from 6:30 pm. at Musaeus College Auditorium, Colombo 7. Wasantha Rohana will compere the event. Rohana Weerasinghe will lead the back-up orchestra. The event is a fund-raiser for a charity project.

I must also thank The Sunday Observer as print media partner, and Siyatha TV and Radio as media partners.

Fans would be able to purchase tickets for the show from Salaka Senkada, Sarasavi Bookshop, Nugegoda, Ran Ruwan Giftware Centre, Liberty Plaza and Sadeepa Bookshop, Borella.