ARADHANA EKANAYAKE A REPUTED LYRICIST FOR OVER TWO DECADES COMMENCED WITH ALL TIME HIT OF CHAMARA WEERASINGHE “SITHIN WITHARAK PEM KARANNAM’HAS MADE LYRICS FOR MANY FAMOUS VOCALISTS SINCE YEAR 2004-by Sunil Thenabadu
Aradhana Ekanayake was born in Karambawatta an adjacent village to Kekirawa was living in a very peaceful, non- violent location. . From year one to year five had studied in Kekirawa Primary school before attending to Kekirawa Madhya Maha Vidyalaya had entered to the advanced level class, after triumphing in the ordinary level class .Apart from her parents she has three brothers two elder and one younger to her. Her name ‘Aradhana” was enumerated by her father may have been as the parental duo had watched a lot of Hindi films. She during her school tenure had not excelled in writing skills even in essay writing had been impartial average student. Aradhana has had no intentions at all to develop as a lyricist; she recollects that all her family members were used to listening to Sinhalese songs as her father Aradhana too liked to read books as her father who was a veracious reader . She reminisces her father used to buy books for her to read
She has had no intentions of becoming a lyricist was a typical school girl not seriously taken part in any school curricular activities at Kekirawa Madhya Maha Vidyalaya which had been positioned in a comforting bolstering environment, the only school in the island where all girls needed to compulsorily attired with ‘Lama Sarees” On hearing the song of Sanath Nandasiri’‘ ‘Dangakara Oya Desa’ about a school love though she has had no love affairs in school was a song which she whispered and loved during her school tenure as well as after her school career.Aradhana had jested at a television dialogue that she and most school friends used to have a scrap lunch at a school friend’s dwelling and loiter and play in the village until late afternoon. As she had three brothers on other days too ,she used to have fun outdoors until return to indoors to watch television at dusk. At school just once she had portrayed a role of a ‘drunken’ man in a school drama as her only extra curricular activity. She reminisced that listening to the song of Sanath Nandasiri even after her exit from school listening to which was a routine to her, .She felt she was in the Mahaweli Zone like in school reminding the two separate higher classes termed Mahaweli zone A and B .Aradhana was branded in her village as “Singithi’ Although she had secured decent results two “B’s and a ‘C’ at the University entrance the aggregate marks were not sufficient for admittance to a university, Her father had anticipated her to follow classes to study for an external university degree,for not achieving that goal she regrets today. In the meantime she had attended to computer classes.whuch had become useful in the later career.
After Aradhana’s school tenure many of her school friends had found employment but there was some disagreement in her finding an employment by father in particular as she hated a job going every morning and returning in the evening . She was confined to indoors had felt boring as she had to keep company with her grand mother. To overcome the loneliness, she had started to scribble words to make lyrics to songs not with the intent of becoming a lyricist, at which stage she had read an advertisement by ‘Ransalu’ cassette producers inviting novice lyricists to forward to them for contemplation for new songs. In response Aradhana had forwarded four songs ,including ’Sithin Vitharak Pemkaranna’ ,’Pem Sitha Riduna Raththarane’ and two other songs at her tender age of just sixteen years just after leaving school. The meaning of the lyrics were uncommon and extraordinary which says in a broken love affair both parties should never show rudeness to each other. This song many critics believe will be loved and heard for many years, .For her surprise the Ransalu authorities had chosen three songs but only the two songs mentioned above were recorded one for “Hathawathe Gayakaye’’ Chamara Weerasinghe which were among his initial songs in year 2003 recorded with the backing of ‘Purple Range ‘band’ guided by Ranjit Premalal while the music score was by Nawaratna .Gamage while the recording of Priyantha Nawalage..The other song selected was ‘Pem Sitha Riduna Raththranai ‘which was sung by Prince Udaya Priyantha. Subsequently Aradhana had received a letter on a day in May 2003 from Ransilu authorities to come to take money allotted for the two songs of hers which were accepted to record.T his letter to Aradhana is a very important in her life which she had posted on a Facebook page. When she told her father he had told ‘why you should take money for scripting songs’. Once after getting familiar with the Ransilu authorities she had inquired from the administrator Ranjith Premalal about the response to their advertisement he had said that the letters received were kept in a ‘fertilizer bag’ and one by one was taken and checked. Accordingly Aradhana feels she had been so lucky for her triumph. The Ransilu personnel had again reminded and wanted her to come to sign an agreement which as a reputed institution was their prime obligation ,then only she had visited them with father had been shocked to see the cassettes piles on racks.. Thereafter with the collaboration of Ransilu cassette producers more songs of Chamara Weerasinghe were recorded sans Aradhana’s intervention. At the beginning he had scripted lyrics for eight songs to Chamara the most for an individual vocalist by her to date. Aradhana had hailed the services of Ransilu music institution for promoting her song lyrics as otherwise she herself would never have reached and elevated to her position today. After a short period, Aradhana had listened to her songs played over the channels of SLBC which obviously offered her an unbelievable gratification. Aradhana had mentioned that despite penning lyrics for Chamara’s song she had met only once in year 2004 at a musical concert in Kekirawa.On that day Chamara had jested that he is today like this in recognition because of Aradhana. In that meeting she had swapped only a few words. She is a person who does not boasts about the songs she had penned. Only artiste she is at least a bit familiar with is Shashika Nissansala having done two songs for her one at her own spending creativity. Aradhana is in the habit of scripting lyrics based in relation to her own experiences and of others. She always responds to requests of music producing institutions and of individuals. If her lyrics need to be changed, she would certainly oblige but not to change the lyrics totally. She likes to listen to Baila songs however she thinks for a female it is not coinciding to make Baila lyrics,
In year 2006 Aradhana comes to Colombo in search of a career to Sri FM radio station , she felt a bit lonely living in a boarding house had even thought life in village was more soothing compared to the hassle and buzzle in Colombo, contrast to what she thought while in the village. In addition to continuing her lyricist competency and demand for her FM Radio station requirements and desires she had to deviate from her usual style of writing to carve stories for radio dramas, including voice dubbing, editing which was not easy. In addition she had to be prepared to substitute in the FM beam too. Up to about year 2015 had known to many only via her Facebook page.There had been comments to her conveying that she is the only female who understands the minds of men.According to Aradhana it is women who are not open always hiding love feelings. Some she recollects have called her thinking she was a male. Aradhana had not appeared in any media she recollects she was more or less hiding. With her writing experience in the Sri FM radio instigated her to commence on writing a novel titled. ’Pathibbatha’ which she was able to complete in about a month and publish. Though there are less people who read books in today’s setting many books in her first edition were snapped up to cover her all costs. At the beginning of a career as a lyricist there had been no Facebook but later on she was made to know the listeners comments on her lyrics writing. Initially she was told her songs lacked sting meaning were too simple and straight but as time lapsed, she was able to make lyrics in a different elegance. Aradhana had served the Sri Fm radio channel for ten long years,
More importantly she had met her fiancé’ Milan Silva at Sri Fm radio channel. Aradhana was attached to drama unit while Milan was attached to the production unit. In spite of both being busy a friendship initially had begun though there was not much time even to exchange ideas. There was a strict rule at theSri FM station that no one could have love affairs, if they do decide to marry one party should quit.Once the top management had called the duo to question on this personal matter, when Milan had jumped the gun saying we hope to marry had agreed to quit his job.This decision was a worry to Aradhana as a young person it was not easy to live sans a job.Aradhana had thought to herself that Milan may forget the affair.But on a ‘Valentines’ day that trailed he had come to meet her empty handed.It was learnt later that Milan had bought a large ‘teddy’ costing a good sum with all the money he had .This was tactfully left at her boarding place covered with a bed sheet to surprise Aradhana. That day Aradhana had mentioned in a television confrontation that on that day she had to give Milan bus fare to go home.This huge Teddy is now the favourite toy of her son.After marriage Milan’s knowledge and aptitudes in many fields had been useful to both of them,.With his experience in production field he was able to make a number of videos for Aradhana’s songs..Also had developed a ringing tone business that fetched an income.
On music videos Aradhana is not in agreement fully..She reminisced that in good old days all of us had the liberty to listen to lyrics and enjoy the singing. For those who cannot understand the meanings of the lyrics need to watch via a video.But the opportunity is there sans a video to know the meaning of the song lyrics.At a television dialogue when she was asked the who are the parties that own a song Aradhana said all three equally ,the lyricist, composer mostly the singer,.
In year 2012 Aradhana compiled lyrics t the song ‘Hitha Assata Heena Godak’ was scripted targeting Rose Alagiyawanna artiste, as it did not agree it was handed over to a Director Lahiru Mudalige to be given to a suitable vocalist which was given to Athula Adhikari to sing .Later after Rose Alagiyawanna had heard this song he had regretted for refusing had conveyed to Aradhana, who says for a song to be a hit it obviously needs in addition to meaningful lyrics ,singers aptitude and the music melody.Like many other lyricists Aradhana too is capable of condensing a long story into a song by condensing words which is her speciality.,
The lyrics for Shashika Nissansala’s song ‘Ravana Ma Obe Sitha’ was one her latest creations. Aradhana has lately decided to work with younger generation of music melody composes and vocalists like Yassas Medagedera and Supun Perera, the song ’Ran Muduwaka’. which is a from a real life story.By listening t this song a lwyer who had left his wife and children had rejoined the family.
Aradhana has had an idea to have a music concert with songs made by her, for which Chamara’s presence is most vital, But about his health Aradhana had known from a long time Chamara Weerasinghe had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital due to prolonged illness of respiratory obstruction caused following an accident. It is learnt that Chamara is constantly falling ill owing for his respiratory obstruction issue. Aradhana is in touch with his brothers Isuru , Buddhika, Sanju and Oscar in connection with his health and about the proposed concert.
In a nutshell some of the names of songs with lyrics made by Aradhana Ekanayake are:
Legathu Kama, Kumudiniya, Eka Dawask Mata Issara Wage,Sama Wela, ‘Adareta Hitha’, Anurage Dese, Adare Mage Hithata Thawamath,Sitha Hemihita Had Ganna,Rawana Ma Obe Seetha Kumarihami,Ran MuduSitha Hemihithawaka,Anuragini Dese Weli,Aye Nehe Wena Katawath,Mage Raththarane.,Samawela,.
The songs of lyrics made by Aradhana Ekanayake were sung by many artistes to name a few viz, Chamara Weerasinghe, Price Udaya Priyantha, Shashika Nissansala, Surendra Perera, Athula Adhikari, Lakshman Hewavitharana,Dushantha Weeraman, Supun Perera,etc,etc
A lyricist is a writer who
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane e mail sthenabadu@hotmail.com
