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| Sunday, 16 May 2004 |
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Remembering Kapuge with love and honour by Sunanda Mahendra Gunadasa Kapuge (1945-2003) is a household name. Being a very sensitive musician qualified from one of the highest seats of Music in India, University of Bhatkande, he obtained his qualifications both in vocal and instrumental. As a humble being with a high degree of humanism, he never used his academic qualifications to thrive in a world of mediocrity and dilettantism. Nevertheless he proved his mettle via his skills, and carved a niche for himself in the realms of musicians. Once as far back as late eighties I remember one night when I was coming in the dead of night from Piliyandala to Mahalvarawa when I heard a group of young three-wheeler drivers singing a song of Kapuge to the accompaniment of their own tin drum instruments. I came closer with a friend of mine in order to hire one of the three-wheelers, but I was enticed by their merriment, that I stood there investigating what this is all about. One of the three-wheeler members told me that they have formed a fan club, called 'Kapuge rasa havula'. Their sole purpose as I gathered was to relax themselves at the end of the night with songs of Kapuge. 'Why only Kapuge's songs?' I asked one of them. 'He sings for people like us' was the instant reply. I went on asking them many more questions. They answered as if to indicate that Kapuge was their cult hero. I understood their mood for they not only liked Kapuge as a man, they also preferred to say that the songs that he sang were for them; and the intrinsic value embedded in the songs are their pulse beat. I was so pleased that I remained there for some more time. Gunadasa Kapuge was also a man of principles in a society where the artist finds himself torn between forces. He stood for a political ideology that raises the human standards of living. Amateur As a result of this sternness in him, Kapuge had to undergo certain punishments, where he was transferred from the main broadcasting station in Colombo to a provincial station, in Rajarata, known as Rajarata Sevaya. In a good mood he undertook the task of moulding up of a better music unit at Rajarata without much expense, but with mor integrity. Kapuge managed to line up a new group of amateur singers, and took time off to teach them such aspects as the essence of musicology, the sources of music, the human use of indigenous music and experimentations in different genres of music like Nadagam nurthi, Raga dhari classics etc. This had a great impact especially on the new emerging generation of music enthusiasts. The listeners to Rajarata sevaya, were more keen on the music output over the rest of the broadcasts. Kapuge managed once again to have a firmer footing in Rajarata, and preferred to stay more time there than being in Colombo. But as he became one of the most sought after artists, he was compelled to devote more time to theatre, film and various other fields where he was wanted. During this period which covers two decades 1989-1999 roughly, he ushered in a new era of popular Sinhala music, and the culmination was his 'Kampana' show, which to my mind was one of the most remarkable events. The show was held at Havelock Town Hall and long before the scheduled time the crowds predominantly consisting of the younger generation thronged there to see Kapuge in action. Having come to know that the premises were packed with his fans, I remember how he made an announcement to his admirers. 'I love you all those of you who have gathered here. This is not my reverberation (kampana) but the reverberation of all of us living in this decadent society at a historic period in our lives. I am going to start off this show now. In keeping with the good old traditions I invite any persons who desire to light the oil lamp'. Gesture A few from the audience came toward the stage and lighted the lamp. Kapuge once again made a statement of thanks and made a good gesture indicating that he is going to sing. In order to help those staying outside the auditorium, a loudspeaker was installed. More and more people gathered and it was a mass rally. Once my good friend Lucien Bulathsinhala came rushing into my house in the night to say that Kapuge is being locked up in the police for uttering something detrimental to a leading politician. Lucien insisted that we rescue him. The politician, who was instrumental in putting Kapuge behind the bars was known to me. So both of us went to see him. I told him that Kapuge is our good friend and he should be let out. 'Kapuge? Don't talk to me about that fellow' growled the politician friend. 'Kapuge would have said whatever he is alleged to have said in an intoxicated mood. But he is a man of principles' I said and wanted him to release taking the artiste in him as the main factor. The politician went on mooning for a moment and said. 'Alright I honour your word'. Then he rang up to Cinnamon Gardens police and told one responsible officer to release him. As soon as we showed our presence there, believe me or not, ask Lucien, if you are in doubt, that when we reached the police premises we heard the voice of Kapuge. 'Mariyawe ...' went on the voice of a popular Sinhala film song. Both of us went inside to see him and to say that he can now go home with us. But strangely enough, Kapuge never showed any feeling of worry, and simply said. 'Machan thank you for trying to release me, but I am happy here. These officers are really good fellows. They want me to sing. They have a good taste, despite being police officers. Please tell my home people that I am safe here and I will come tomorrow morning with one of these guys'. That was the nature of Kapuge. He was so carefree, and wanted a better society free from troubles. He never called himself a Marxist, but we knew that his sympathies were toward that ideology. Surely he was overloaded with activity. He was not only wanted by his fans at home but also those who lived abroad. He wanted to educate his children for which he wanted money but at the same time he wanted to earn it in the most humanistic manner possible. There is at least one frailty in any sensitive artiste. Kapuge was a smoker and a drinker. He may have known the dangers but could not resist it. Genius die young. Though Kapuge is no more, his legacy is for all time. |
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