Malata Bamaraku Se

Published on: Wed, 28 May 2008 19:29:55 -0700

Song by Late Clarence Wijewardena Tribute Clarence The sad news of the demise of Clarence Wijewardene, the versatile vocalist, lyricist ,composer and music director shocked entire Sri Lanka on 13.12.1996. Clarence Arthur Somisinghe Wijewardcne was born on 03.08.1943 in Haputale where his father was working as a Doctor at the Brampton Estate He was the eldest in his family and had his education in a couple of village schools in the hill country. His family shifted to Ratnapura in 1963 where he began his music career. Clarence started the pop group "MOONSTONES" in 1967 with Annesley Malewana who also hailed from Ratnapura. The group was managed by Sri Sangabo Corea whose service to this group helped Clarence to change the pattern of the local music scene. The songs such as Mango Nenda, Seegiriya, Ruwanpuraya, Thotiya, Dunhinda Manamali and never ever forgotten Dilhani were some of the popular hits of this group. The first ever song sung by Clarence was Dileepa Podu Puthu and ended up having sung close upon 500 songs and composed music around 3000 songs. Having left "Moonstones' he formed "Golden Chimes" Super Golden Chimes"and "Madara" groups and eventually became a solo singer. 'He directed music for films "Sikuruliya". "Apeksha", Chalithrangali"and "Hello Shyama "to name a few And tele dramas "Susima" and "Nidikumba mal" A very few persons are aware that he directed music to a stage play called "Garu lizi" Clarence had the talent of composing songs to his known persons and their children. Man go Nenda, Kalu Mama. Menike Dilhani, Ramani, Malini, Rohini, Ramya, Dilipa, Ranil , Harshani, Dilshan. Sonali and Amila were some of them. Even actual incidents were turned into songs by him. He had performed in England, Australia, Canada, America and Italy on many occasions and the Sri Lankans living there still love to hear his scintillating music and songs. He was so versatile in music who could identify the talent of an artiste, which paved the way to compose songs to oriental singers like Pundit Amaradeva, Jothipala,T.M.Jayaratne, Sanath Nandasiri, Malini Bulathsinhala and Neela Wickramasinghe to pop singers in the calibre of Desmond D Silva, M.S.Fernando, Anil Bharathi,Mariazelle, Dalrene, Shyami Fonseka Saman Silva and Rukantha. The majority of popular songs of Milton Mallawaarachchi, T.M Jayaratne, Priya Sooriyasena Indrani Perera Mariyazelle, Dalrene and Saman were composed by him. Clarence was so humble, unassuming, self effacing, having been a devoted follower of God Kataragania and Sai Baba although he was a Catholic. He had a peaceful life with his wife Sheela and only daughter Amila who is settled down in Australia With the demise of Clarence, Sri Lanka had lost one of its most versatile and talented musicians which could be considered as an irreparable loss for the entire country We hope and pray that he will be born and reborn with us many times in the long journey of Sansara.

Author: 172goodtolove
Keywords: pathm srilanka sinhala clarence wijewardena
Added: May 28, 2008