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| Sunday, 29 August 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Wimala Amaradeva : In her own right by Indira Perera Dahanayake
There is a woman behind every man's success, goes the adage and Wimala has proven this up to the letter, where her husband's success is concerned. Born to a middle class family in the Gampaha District as Wimala Gunaratna, she was educated at Musaeus Practising School affiliated to Musaeus College Colombo. "My father was a very simple person" says Wimala, with much sentiment adding "though he was a leftist, he observed the five precepts in Buddhism. He was guided by the great prelate Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maithriya and Rerukane Chandawimala Theros. He was a close associate of the late doctors Colvin R. de Silva, and N.M. Perera and also Leslie Gunawardene. This also paved the way to associate with my husband's elder brother who was also a leftist."
Wimala's father served the British Ceylon Corporation (B.C.C.) as a clerk for 30 years, spending most of his time on social and religious work, Her mother was a devoted wife and inculcated the basics of a duty conscious wife and mother to young Wimala, according to the teachings of the Buddha. Artistically inclined from a young age , Wimala learnt dancing as a school girl under the tutelage of Wasantha Kumara, a well- known dancing teacher at the time and took part in his ballet a 'Sandakinduru". She was later introduced to Kalaguru late J.D.A. Perera, who in turn got her interested in drama. "I took part in 'Sirisanghabo' and 'Wessantara'" she says explaining that Perera who was the Head of the College of Fine Arts in Colombo got her to learn dancing, which in turn gave her a chance to take part in many of her presentations. On completion of her dancing course, Wimala proceeded to the Kalakshetra Institute of Dancing in Madras to study dancing and to master the Veena." I was admitted after a tough interview," she says, elaborating that she studied under Rukmanie Arundale, the founder of the Institute . Rukmani, detecting Wimala's talents advised her to take up dancing as her career someday. In Madras, Wimala had the opportunity to attend a number of music and dance recitals by well- known artistes of the time - Back in Sri Lanka she became one of the lucky few to be selected to the Chitrasena- Vajira group of dancing that proceeded to India in 1959. Music for the troupe's performances were composed by W.D. Amaradeva along with Edwin Samaradivakera. "Amaradeva, then known as W.D. Albert Perera from Korelewella, Moratuwa was no stranger to our family, as our fathers were well acquainted" says Wimala , talking with pride about the man who was to become her husband. "Amaradeva's talents were discovered from a young age and waknown as an eminent violinist and a singer even during his school days" she says . Amaradeva too had completed a course in singing and playing the violin,in India through a public sponsored scholarship. Looking back at those early days of romance with nostalgia, she says "I remember the day he returned to Sri Lanka. His parents threw a grand party in his honour and I was selected to perform the welcome dance. I started off by garlanding him not quite aware of what the future held for me - still. I felt like a stranger. The year was 1956." That was the first time Wimal heard young Amaradeva sing. "He sang that dreamy melody 'Santha May Rae Yame'. The melody sank to my heart in a funny way, " she says. Wimala fell in love with his music, so much so that each time she heard it over the air, her sentiments became stronger.Wimala liked to listen to his music and would take her portable to a secluded corner, away from everyone. "Deep within me I enjoyed it in the bliss of solitude" she says pensively. Wimala carried on with her singing and dancing, and went on to become a teacher of music and had her own Janagayana program. She was also amember of a troupe and performed at many well known places like the walauwa Kandewela. Her Janagayana also captured the attention of Amaradeva. Relating his sentiments, Pandit Amaradeva says "I was walking towards the Chitrasena school of dancing one day and I heard a Janagayana programme over the radio. I picked out Wimala's silvery voice and I thought to myself, someday, if I could hear this voice at my deathbed, it will be a great relief to me at that time!" Proposal Shortly after he proceeded to Australia, he could not forget Wimala. He wrote to her parents asking for their daughter's hand in marriage.Wimala's parents who believed in the saying a known devil is better than the unknown, gave their blessings and the rest as the cliche goes is romantic history. Career Wimala, who was intent on pursuing a career was appointed to teach music at Sangamitta Vidyalaya in Galle, by W.B. Makuloluwa who was Music Director at the Education Department. Later she was transferred to Panadura Balika Vidyalaya and subsequently Anula Vidyalaya in Nugegoda. After 20 years of teaching, she retired from service and began devoting all her efforts towards looking after her husband and children. "I have carried out my duties to the letter, as I look after my husband as a mother who looks after her only child as preached in the Karaniya Metta Sutta in Buddhism." Economic side Commenting on the family economy she says, she feels quite independent as she receives her monthly pension as a teacher. It is nowhere close to what her husband earns. "I never encourage him to commercialise his ability such as singing at weddings and carnivals to earn a fast buck."This is far beyond my principles." she says, adding that she had been trained by her father to observe what Lord Buddha has said. Be satisfied with what you get in life ! |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
"Sensitivity is very important in understanding a musician, or any
one inclined in the field of art" says Wimala Amaradeva wife of
Maestro Amaradeva, 'the Silver Bell of Sri Lanka'.
