Multi-talented Navy Commander makes his dream a reality
By Ranil WIJAYAPALA
Vice Admiral Somathilaka Dissanayake |
His passion for poetry and lyrics had always been there in his mind
but he had to propel these poetic thoughts into the deep recesses of his
mind. He was shy to even expose them to the family because he felt that
they were too professional to give him any attention.
However, now he has found a day for these precious poetic thoughts to
blossom like a lotus bud rising from the depths of the mud to the
surface of the rippling waters of a lake.
Vice Admiral Somathilaka Dissanayake, a man better known as a sailor
who rose to the highest command of the Sri Lanka Navy, has decided to
put his poetic thoughts into print and audio form.
Multi-talented Vice Admiral Dissanayake will make his dream a reality
on September 13 at Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa theatre releasing his
book titled 'Sindupathi Kavu Gee' (Poems and Lyrics by a Navy Commander)
and two CDs 'Ira Handa Pamanai' (Only Sun and Moon) and 'Harshanata Liyu
Gee' (Lyrics written to Harshana) in front of a distinguished gathering.
He talks with passion about his family's inborn love for artistic
expression and music while enjoying the fragrance of village life that
enabled his poetic thoughts to blossom.
"It was that environment and surroundings which echoes in my mind and
made me a poet and a lyricist. But they were liberating for long time
until the lyrics were written on a piece of paper when I was upset or I
had time to relax", Vice Admiral Dissanayake said.
Just like any other poet or lyricist he was shy to come into the open
with his talent until he was encouraged by his older brother, veteran
film director, poet and lyricist Somarathna Dissanayake after one of his
poems appeared in the 'Silumina' newspaper.
Preserved
Being a secret admirer of his older brother, 'Loku Ayya', Somarathna
Dissanayake, collected whatever he wrote to the newspapers or to any
other publication and preserved them until they were needed for
publication by his brother.
But today as the youngest in a family of eight, he regrets that he
did not have anyone to collect and preseve his writings like he did for
his older brother as a rsult many of his writings and lyrics have been
lost as.
"I managed to trace some,, Vice Admiral Dissanayake said. These were
what he had without realising the gravity of his ability, done in his
youth. "I managed to trace some of them but many are lost" , he laments.
The deep roots he has with his village, his family and his profession
is clearly depicted in the lyrics as many of the poems centers around
them.
His love for his childhood has been expressed in his lyrics and the
song 'Thoppi Gona' which explains the way he went to school in a bullock
cart, amply displays how he enjoyed his simple life in the village
during his childhood. Even after becoming Navy Chief did not forget his
village life and fondly recollects memories of his childhood adventures
like a child who is obsessed with characters in a fairy tale told to
them by grand parents.
Family gatherings has always been a forum for his family members to
come out with their talents but he repents that he never exposed the
poet with inside him at those fora.
The village school where he had his primary education and Narammala
Mayurapada Central College where he obtained his secondary education has
never been distanced from his life. Even today he complains about the
lack of a proper music master at Mayurapada Central College.
"If a good music master was there in my school, my life would have
been a different one today", Vice Admiral Dissanayake says. Though he
had studied science subjects he never gave up his love for music and the
arts.
His career in the Sri Lanka Navy helped him to fine tune his ability
as a lyricist as he was selected by his superiors and also by his
colleagues when they needed the help of a lyricist.
The Sri Lanka Navy Pre School song and the Sri Lanka Navy Seva
Vanitha Unit song were among some of the lyrics composed by him as a
result of requests made to him.
Tradition
Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara who was bold enough to break away
from tradition followed in the Sri Lanka Navy, singing Sinhala songs at
parties and composing poems is one of the hero's he had followed in the
Navy and still admires the encouragement given to him sending notes of
admiration for his work.
The experiences he gathered from the Navy and the experience of
friends and colleagues in the Navy honed his talent as the experiences
transformed either into a poem or a lyric.
His nephew, Harshana, was the final outlet for his lyrics as it was
Harshana who had given 'voice' to many of his lyrics. The song '
Aththamma Nivan Gihin' was the first lyric he wrote to his nephew
Harshana Dissanayaka, his 'punchi ayya's son.
Harshana's first song was composed by Somathilaka Dissanayaka. It
became popular and opened the doors for Harshana to sing popular song in
the film 'Sooriya Arana' directed by Somarathna Dissanayaka and to win
the best playback singer award at the Presidential Cinema Awards at the
age of 12.
Compose
This encouraged Somathilaka Dissanayaka to compose more lyrics for
Harshana who studied music up to Visharada level. His lyrics composed
for Harshana will be released in a CD on September 13, when he launches
his book 'Sindupathi Kavu Gee'.
He has never been ambitious, but things have came easily for him. "I
did not think of becoming the Commander of the Navy until my name was
suggested as Commander by Admiral Karannagoda. Never in my life did I
ever had dream of becoming the Navy Commander", he says. "Today I am
happy that the war on terrorism is over and we are having time for
things like this. Even President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Defence
Secretary encouraged me to release this book as they promote things with
artistic value among Forces personnel", he said.
This poet in uniform who was in limbo will release his book
containing more than 60 lyrics and 50 poems.
The dream night on September 13 at Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa
Theatre for Performing Arts, where he plans to release his book, he
thinks will be a different experience for many as it would be filled
with the singing from veteran vocalists and performances by the students
of Narammala, Mayurapada Central College. The occasion will be graced by
President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa as chief
guest.
"I will be happy to see my well-wishers on that night but regret that
I am not in a position to accommodate all my fans as the event is only
for invitees", he said.
|