Music vultures vulgarise national creations

by Prasad Gunewardene

H. R. Jothipala

Pundit Dr. W. D. Amaradeva

Victor Ratnayake

Today the country is in an era where vulture musicians have taken the centre stage. They claim to have introduced 'rapping' of songs. In reality, lovely songs are raped under the pretext of rapping.

There is also another set of music vultures in this centre stage drama. They tend to change lyrics of lovely creations and replace them by filthy words. These music vultures have no knowledge of music.

They cannot create on their own. Their forte is non-stop style productions that contain the melodies and music of the past. Our Intellectual Property Act is very poor. It has no provisions to deal with these culprits. There is a belief that no action could be filed against the use of a part of a song in producing a non stop cassette, CD, VCD or a DVD. The advanced technology today is also a reason for this menace.

Because, we Sri Lankans do not use such technology for the right cause.

Pundit Dr. W. D. Amaradeva, no doubt is a national asset. His creations are national treasures. Today, he is the foremost musician in this country who put this island on the world map with his creations.

This Magsaysay award winner is held in high esteem in all circles. Amaradeva's musical creations are exclusive. His style of music is certainly musicotherapy.Most of his creations could soothe and heal a stressed mind.

Nanda Malini

Rukmani Devi

It is unfortunate that his lovely creations are today vulgarised by these vulture musicians who have taken the centre stage. A private FM radio channel recently broadcast a non stop cassette of a vulture music pop group. Amaradeva's heart rending creation-"Santha Me Ra Yaame"- was vulgarised by the music vulture in the following manner-" Shantha me ra beela, hondata vedila miniha, gama natavai pissa".

I listened to this vulgarised version with anger. All this happened while I was travelling in a private bus. The elderly gentleman seated beside me queried as to what has happened to our culture. I had no answer but to curse those responsible for this national calamity.

He asked me whether there was a Cultural Department or a Cultural Ministry in existence. I cracked that both must have been educated at the Deaf and Blind School. This non-stop music vulture did not stop there. In the thirty minute travel I heard how he vulgarised songs of our legends like Victor Ratnayake, Nanda Malini, Rukmani Devi, Jothipala and Mohideen Baig.

Let us now examine how this vulture musician destroyed Victor Ratnayake's glorious creation, -"Api Okkoma Rajawaru, Okkoma Vesiyo"-.This mad vulture changed those patriotic lyrics to say-" Api Okkoma Kollo, Okkoma Kello, Club eka ethule gaja mithuro".

If Victor Ratnayake, the music legend loved by millions heard it, he would have definitely prayed never to be reborn in a country like his motherland.

Having destroyed Victor Ratnayake's national creation, this music vulture then bastardised the Nanda Malini's great pilgrim song,- "Vandanawa, Karanawa"-. He sang it-"Vandawe Karanawa kiya denna enna yanna, Mage enda paalui lamayo"-. The Princess of Local Melody, Nanda Malani would have shed tears if she ever heard those filthy lyrics being embodied to one of her lovely creations.

This is how this music vulture destroyed the late Nightingale of the Sinhala Silver Screen and the "Geetha Kokilavee", Rukmani Devi. Rukmani's ever popular,- Mavila Penevi Rupe"- is the number that kept her memories alive in the hearts and minds of the music lovers.

This vulture sang-"Mavila penevi papuwe, dharshane mata sobha"-. These low lyrics were nothing but sexual vulgarisation of the language. This sexual music vulture then changed his beat to the six eight, to destroy the late H. R. Jothipala and Mohideen Baig.

Continuing the vulgarisation style, he sang Jothipala's - "Oba Nidanna, Oba Nidanna"-as "Oba Nidanna, Oba Nidanna, Mage ende Sethapila, Ona sepatha mama dennam, Thole rasa bala"-. It was nothing but irritating to listen to such vulgarisation of lyrics.

While the literate in the bus looked annoyed as the radio went at full volume, the driver and conductor thoroughly enjoyed this vulgar stuff. The driver was seen tapping the steering wheel while driving to the beat. The last to be murdered was the ever green vocalist, the late Mohideen Baig.

His song, -Hima Bima Palana Surinde"- had new lyrics. The music vulture had introduced the following,-"Uda bima balanna venne, Enna yanna sudu kelle". I was then close to the point to alight from the bus. I thanked the Lord for bringing me closer to the destination I was scheduled to. I think my blood pressure returned to normal after I got off the bus.

Who could protect these national creations of the great men and women who contributed much to Art, Culture, Music or Films? If there can be a Public Performance Board for films, why not a Censor Board to examine the production of non-stop audio and video material?

The lack of a proper authority to monitor such filthy material has given way to these music vultures to destroy our culture and discipline. The generation of today and generations to come would be misled by these filthy creations if we allow this menace to continue. Then, the original creator of those lovely compositions will be forgotten. Let us give the due right and protection to our legends in the field of Art.

If the nation is proud of artistes like Amaradeva, Victor, Rukmani, Nanda Malini, Baig and Jothipala, the authorities responsible should move swiftly to protect them from these music vultures who have taken the centre stage today. It's not too late for the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to move and wipe out this menace which is similar to terrorism. It is appropriate to call these music vultures, "Music Terrorists".

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