DAYAN WITHARANA AUTOGRAPHED WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER CUM ACCLAIMED VOCALIST WITH RARE RESONATE VOICE IN STARDOM – by Sunil Thenabadu
Image Source : wikipedia
Dayan Virendra Parakum Witharana was born on 18 April 1962 in Colombo lived in Nuwara Eliya as the youngest of the family with two elder sisters – Niranjali Sunethra and Nirmali Savithri. His father Piyasena Witharana was a Local Government Officer and mother Nalini Daisybelle Jayasuriya was a housewife. His father had named him Dayan after the Israel military leader and politician Moshen Dayan.But when he entered school as his name sounded a burgher some had inquired on his name also asked whether he was a Christian. But he had reiterated that he was ‘Dayaan” a Sinhalese and a staunch Buddhist.Lately he had found another photographer by the same name Dayan Pradeep whom Dayan had contacted who has also taken photos of actresses who have not been photographed by Dayan.He too had said he was Dayan too a sheer coincidence indeed. When Dayan was just six years he had on a piece of paper wished his elder sister on her for the birthday saying by Dayan Malli.This Dayan affirms is the only proof to show he is Dayan from his younger days.Dayan had shown promise to be a future vocalist had been listening to mostly English numbers of Jim Reeves, Elvis Prestley and other famous singers.If ever someone comes home Dayan was ever ready to sing a song.He recollects when a peon from his father’s office comes home he entangles in a door curtain when father knowing he is needing to sing, he allows Dayan who bows sings then bows and go back to the room.Dayan also had been a fan of Indrani Perera ,Mignone Ratnam had sung their songs to meticulousness..
He lived in Nuwara Eliya from 1962 to 1967 and then moved to Kandy when father was transferred to another Local Government Office until 1972 as his father was in a transferrable government service. In 1968, he had entered to the primary section of Dharmaraja College, Kandy and thereafter had entered St.Thomas’ College Matale from grade 6 onwards in 1986.Dayan reminisces his tenure at St Thomas’ College Matale had been instrumental in making him to be this accomplished vocalist, as he was with a deep resonant voice making him a distinctive vocalist .In addition to singing ,art- drawing was also his vast passion. He was called the College ‘Gayakaya’ was even nicknamed as ‘local Amaradeva” as he sung mostly the late legend’s songs.He recollects singing the song “ sinidu sudumuthu thalawe” song on request on manyinstances, the music coming from other colleague students but sans any musical instruments. At every free moment and after school hours Dayan had been called upon to sing this song by his colleagues and senior students, also other Amaradeva songs like “Mama Den Mahalu Viye” which was sung in year 1977 when Pandit Amaradewa became fifty years old.Owing to his demand for his vocals he was deprived of attending to other extracurricular activities particularly attending to sports events during his school tenure.Dayan was a extremely important vocalists at ‘big matches’ too, when his singing entertained the spectators in the stands. Dayan proudly reminisced that there was one Kenneth de Siva in a lower class who later became a bass guitarist, also in a further lower class had been Shavendra de Silva the former Commander of the Army. Dayan ha had a passion and skill to sing from the days at Dharmaraja College too, but not to this vast unparalleled level.
When Dayan was barely eleven years or earlier, has had a aptitude for drawing photos of individuals by looking at pictures in magazines and newspapers. The parents’ duo had been astounded as to how he drew so well, when questioned Dayan had said when he saw the pictures, he had got a fondness to draw. The duo had encouraged him by buying him the obligatory water colours and drawing papers. After he had seen a photo of Mona Lisa in a Times magazine had been tempted to draw which made the parents duo elated as he had drawn a photograph of a rare personality to precision. Later on he had drawn many photos of our actresses v.i.z.,Vasanthi Chathurani who acted in “Gehanu Lamai” film ,who remains Dayan’s favorite actress even to date. Dayan had drawn the face of Geetha Kumarasinghe to meticulousness when she was at peak several times had acknowledged that he could draw her face sans looking at a photo as her image was etched firmly in his mind as a mango fruit. Dayan believes some power drives him through these aptitudes as it is undeniably via innate talent perhaps with some hereditary affiliations of ancestors for which he is blessed, which is same for his singing ability as he could easily sing without backing from musicians. It has happened to him several times while strolling in streets when ardent fans request him to sing, he never rubbishes. Dayan believes he is blessed with some powers from above , which enables him to satisfy his fans. He recollects when his mother was to undergo a throat surgery by surgeon Sunil Perera, as he was rushing to the hospital with anxiety and fear about the condition of his mother ,a fan had stopped him on his way had requested pleading him to sing a song. Despite having in mind the immense concern about his mother ,he had obliged. He had quipped that on that occasion he could have evaded the guy saying he was rushing to hospital to see his mother to be operated. This is Dayan ,a rare quality of Dayan which perhaps is not heard from any other artistes.
On 6 January 1976, when Dayan was 13 years old, his father died at the age of 54 after a heart attack which became a huge burden on mother who had to look after the three children with only a meagre government pension. After his father’s demise, his mother had shouldered the burden of bringing up the children, had started a cookery class and a needlework commercial activity to get an income for the sustenance of the family. His mother had suffered from cancer for many years, she had died on 25 April 2006. Former parliamentarian Gamini Jayasuriya is the cousin brother of Dayan’s mother.She had expected death but had not shown the children of her terminal death in sight, who were weeping by her bedside. She had been a staunch Buddhist who was very happy with what she has had achieved in life ,contended, never thought of gathering wealth, was very contented with what she possessed as a true practiced Buddhist. She had wanted her funeral to be held within twelve to twenty-four hours sans any flourish. To look pleasant at her funeral had selected even her saree that was to be worn on her remains , had even dyed her hair which she had never been used to.Dayan is single, and he said he will not marry in the future too as he is living according to the principles of Buddhism been a staunch Buddhist, while earlier he was more interested in looking after his mother who was sick. As a practicing Buddhist he understands his mother will never be reborn as the walk through the Sansaricq circle is a long journey .Along with the above facts had seen to himself how married couples suffer, hence it is highly unlike that Dayan would ever marry who is now nearing his fifty ninth birthday .Unlike many males and females Dayan never hides his age as he confirms his precise age, added all will have to disclose the correct age at the time of demise.
In year 1981 Dayan comes to Colombo in search of a job of course he has had no good results in his Advanced level. He had been employed as an apprentice at Alliance Agencies in Ratmalana for a meagre salary of rupees five hundred only. He had lived at his grand mothers dwelling in Ratmalana as it was very convenient. He used to get back home on Fridays and return on Monday morning a bit though a cumbersome arrangement. In the Sarasaviya newspaper Dayan had seen an advertisement to take pupils to a music class in Attidiya area.As it was close by he had gone to meet the tutorial staff.The teachers had been violinist Amarasiri Peiris and reputed musician Ananda Dabare. Before long Dayan had seen a another attractive advertisement in the Sunday Silumina newspaper for taking students for music classes at Nanda Malini ‘Sangeetha Ashramaya’ .Though it was a bit far Dayan had preferred this class had gone to meet Nanda Malini at Wijeba Mawatha,Sarasavi Udyanaya.,Nugegoda. As anther pioneer student that day she had told the class is full but tobcome and see whether Dayan could be accommodated for the three year course ending 1984.Luckily for Dayan he found entry to the class which consisted of pupils like Deepika Priyadarshini,Nalin Nilendra Alwis,Keerthi Paskuel,Prabhodini Yahampath,Damayanthi Ekanayake,Indira Kariyawasam, a cream of musical talent. All students were asked to sing a song.Initially Deepika had sung a song superbly ,by listening Dayan had thought in a few years she will become a top notch vocalist. When it came to Dayan’s turn he had sung excellently the song of Sunil Edirisinghe “Bogambara sipiri gedera” to the music composition of Rohana Weerasinhge and lyrics of Professor Sunil Ariyaratne.This song was sung by Dayan to precision to animate many including Nanda Malini.Deepika Priyadarshini had been stunned had been thinking that Dayan would become a sought after singer in a few years,It was a real coincidence that after nearly two decades or so Dayan released his first song in a CD “Weten Eha” which became an instant hit also to the lyrics and music composition of the duo Professor Sunil Ariyaratne and Rohana Weerasinghe.
Dayan along with Deepika Priyadarshini, Indira Kariawasam,Wasantha Thilakangani,Damayanthi Ekanayake and Anusha Madula made choir groups for Nanda Malini’s musical shows which was his initial exposure to singing. However luckily Dayan and Nalin Nilendra Alwis duo was selected by Nanda Malini for her famous “Saththye Geethaya” program to sing chorus, which was shown on stages around the island. This was a great opportunity to Dayan to enhance his knowledge and skill had received rupees one hundred and twenty five for each show which Dayan had saved for a number of months after which from the proceeds collected he had spent on a ‘Pinkama’.Dayan affirms that in addition the ecstasy and delight he received was enormous opportunity travelling with musical stalwarts and stars in the bus to many outstation venues which was a blessing in disguise to him. In addition Dayan was selected to perform the role of ‘Maname Kumaraya” opposite Anusha Madula which was an added feather to his cap in his musical journey.
When Dayan used to travel home for the weekends, he begun a craze for photography. Luckily two of his best buddies in Matale were sons of proprietors of reputed studios in Matale town viz Crown and Sitha studios. It was during this era that Dayan had received a bonus of over rupees two thousand from his employer from which he had purchased a fairly high quality camera. a weekend visit he had contacted Priyantha one close buddy wanting his help as to the manner to take family photos.The precise technique he had shown Dayan, to take family photos without him and Priyantha had clicked for the photos where Dayan was in with family.Very soon Dayan had picked up many finer points when accessing a camera. By this time he was able to purchase a sophisticated camera which cost a tidy sum.From his savings and financial assistance from a colleague Dayan was able to purchase a camera more suited for taking photos at weddings. Then too his buddy Priyantha had helped him with his father’s assistance to purchase this camera..
In 1985, Dayan started to work as a photographer largely due to his passion by taking initially a photograph of Vasanthi Chathurani. His first wedding photography was his boss’s daughter Sonali de Silva and Hiran de Silva in 1985.The photographs had come out stunningly, thereafter all their other family weddings were entrusted to Dayan to handle singlehandedly. Again in the same year Dayan had photographed the wedding of a cousin of his ,where the brides maid was the now renowned Thalatha Athukorale.From then onwards wedding coverages were coming to Dayan one after the other who had become a sort of a sought after cameramen specialized for wedding coverages .During this period Dayan had come in contact with beauticians Harris Wijesinghe and Ramani Fernando via who he had got more coverages. However on January 1st in year 1990 Dayan had got to know Harris Wijesinghe intimately. Dayan believed Harris to be like a father to him advising on finer points in the craft, like angles which Harris was well versed in.From this point to Dayan was simply plain sailing in his lucrative vocation which he dedicated to.The demand for Harris Wijesinghe cum Dayan Witharana was so vast that some had to finalize dates according the accessibility of the duo. Some it is reliably learnt had postponed their wedding dates. Alongside his wedding photography livelihood he commenced photographing many popular film stars beginning with his favorite actress even to date celebrated actress Vasanthi Chathurani of “Gehanu Lamai” fame who’s sparkling eyes he loved.In a sequence he had photographed almost all actresses preserving the negatives for posterity in a career spanning more than three decades since year 1991 thus been acclaimed as a wedding and public photographer. During a television dialog when questioned how many weddings he had covered the answer was had not kept a record , but had photographed the weddings of many celebrities. But he had a record of all songs sung totaling to 488 where he knows all details like the launch dates, lyric writers and musicians.With his popularity as a renowned vocalist Dayan is used to sing two songs with the band apart from his duties as the photographer. The two songs which he delights the wedding audiences are” Mindada Heesara” and “Nim Him Sewwa”.But however as a principle Dayan never sings songs of other vocalists unlike many who had done to rise to fame.This is the reason Dayan had refused to sing in the popular TV Derana program “Ma Novena Mama”.Thus Dayan is the perhaps the only vocalist who had emerged sans singing songs of others.
Dayan had moved to Colombo with the family in 1992 permanently residing to date in Kamathawatte, Rajagiriya.
On 20 September 1993, he photographed Vasanthi Chathurani dressed as a bride dressed by Surangani to accomplish his desire in becoming a photographer of actresses and actors. Concurrently, he had photographed almost all actresses and actors in Sri Lanka in a career spanning more than three decades since 1991.In a television confrontation he had affirmed that only a handful od actresses he had not photographed would accomplish it too shortly. He is currently a popular wedding photographer among celebrities as well as a photographer in film community. Dayan as a tradition when wishing a birthday of an artiste with a photo also attaches a photo taken on an earlier instance since he has a well-organized manner, the negatives are segregated. This pattern had been made possible by Dayan’s mother when she lived having a methodical technique of segregating the negatives. Dayan somehow endeavors to maintain this imperative area which is very significant to sustain in his dominant field.
He voiced his first song ‘Waten Eha’ in year 1999 lyrics of by Professor Sunil Ariyaratne which was basically on “Asammatha Premaya” which gave a lesson to many.His mentor Nanda Malini had been yearning to record a song to Dayan.This opportunity was made available when her album “Malata Renu ” cassette was launched in end November 1999. It is learnt that a new cassette of Nanda Malini is released each year during that tenure..She heard Dayan in a different style sung two songs of Pandit Amaradewa viz.,”Nadee Jalase” and “Pawela Nilwalawe”.In fact when inquiries were made they had been sung my Dayan himself not imitating the maestro but in a delightful inimitable style. She had arranged Dayan to record this song at Sing Lanka studio where it was recorded. Coincidently the lyrics were by Professor Sunil Ariyaratne and music by Rohana Weerasinghe.Dayan had affirmed that he had known Rohana Weerasinghe having met at Nanda Malini’s music classes having given him lifts home on his scooter when transport was unavailable. This was the first song recorded to a CD by Dayan at the age of 38 years.This song has had such a demand at the SLBC.it has been added that a number of CD’s had been lifted by employees leaving covers for listening pleasure not eally as a theft.It has been said that late Nimal Laxapathiarachchi had pleaded to Dayan for another CD of “Waten Eha” song as it was so popular to be played over our air waves.The song had been played in “Millenium Hits’.Some had wondered why the photographer Dayan’s lips were twitching not knowing he was singing.Some had thought it was Jagath Wickremasinghe as then Dayan was not sporting a beard looked somewhat similar.
By sheer coincidence some journalists had come to meet Dayan to obtain facts about his photography for a newspaper article. When they heard about this song they had asked his permission to do a video.The date they had fixed for the 11th December to which date Dayan agreed. They had wanted a female actress to dance for this song.Dayan had immediately thought of Semini Iddamalgoda whom he had helped by publishing her photo on a cover page of a newspaper. Though she was unavailable owing to shooting in a tele drama but somehow had excused herself and contributed to this video.Subsequently three more songs were recorded a duet with Deepika “Namak Nodanna Malak”,with Nirosha Virajini “Aellen Nala” and a solo “Thugu Giri Kula”. When Dayan was forty years old in April 30th 2002 Dayan released his first song album “Obe Susun Pawan Salai” at John de Silva theatre amidst a record audience. When Nanda Malini stepped in a security officer had whispered, never such a mob had ever patronized the John de Silva theatre. Likewise Dayan continued in the same vein singing and recording more classical and simple songs including “Mahada Adunu Ruwa”,”Daffodil Mala”,”Obe Neela Neth”,”Mage Jeewithe”,Mawune Sanda” more recently in year 2016 “Waradak Nokiyama” song composed by lyricist Danushka Kumarathunga which has become a enormously popular triumph among his fans. However it was Chamika Munasinghe who had come up with the idea to compose a song on Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera after the Thero’s untimely demise. The song was “Deyak Pubuduvalu” to the musical score of HM Jayawardena which became an instant hit, been highly popularized among the public particularly among staunch Buddhists. Dayan is of the strong belief that there is some super natural power which aids him to waltz over triumphantly with consummate ease.Dyan is a vegetarian loves animals raring cats at home.He believes as a staunch Buddhist getting a human life needs to be hailed and cherished.
It is well fact that Dayan is very particular in choosing the lyrics of his songs.Though he had sung many songs composed by famous lyricists like Kelum Srimal, Yamuna Malini Perera, Rathnasri Wijesinghe, Bandula Nanayakkarawasam etc. there have been many instances he had refused certain compositions but had agreed upon after fluctuating some words he did not favour to his ethics. During the covid-19 related pandemic with lockdowns as many artistes Dayan too while having a deserved rest also concentrated on composing melodies which he is capable on.Dayan had immediately after the Pandemic restrictions were withdrawn had recorded a few songs while about fifteen are to be recorded. Dayan had preferred mostly novice musicians , lyric writers for his new songs.He had recorded to Malini Ranasinghe’s lyrics the song “ Sew Wasaka Mathaka Sithuwam”, music melody of Dharshana Wickramatunga.Then the song on the theme “Daskon Premilla Love story” to the lyrics of Sujith Prasanji , the music again by Dharshana Wickramatunga. Another song was a “Ranaviru Upahara” for 30 years celebration in Kokuvil operation, Dayan had chosen young lyricists and musicians for his new songs like Rohana Kumara, 20 year old Roshen Walisundara, also a young novice vocalist Deepthi Rajaguru for his new songs
In addition to been very busy with wedding photography and musical concerts it had been several instances when he has had to cancel musical bookings when he had weddings to cover the following day. It is reliably learnt that Dayan is very punctual where work is concerned arriving well in time for weddings also used to go to bed early the previous day to stay fresh for the wedding photography. At media dialogues he had lamented on many unwanted items at weddings where dresses are concerned. Some brides tend to change clothes several times which is not needed. The attire of the bride’s mother should not be a one like the brides trying like to challenge or imitate the bride. The decorative stuff on the bride like heavy bouquets, uncomfortable hair styles, pseudo nails are not in favour of Dayan.The wedding pre shoot that is done to show photos to the guests which is unwanted not performed even in foreign countries which is just a show off thing. Dayan was also not in favour of the work of the “event” organizers who does things not desirable to favor the bride’s party.
Dayan loves his alma mater St.Thomas’ College Matale.He is a eminent member of the Old Boys association in Colombo.The main OBA is housed at Matale while many OBA’s have been inaugurated in overseas countries like London,Australia, Dubai and Canada where old boys are domiciled. The Colombo branch of the OBA includes many recognized old boys like former IGP, Commander of Army, Commissioner of Registration of persons and those holding high positions in the society. There is a tendency of many old boys of schools join, the related OBA’s to get a favourable opportunity of admitting sons to his former school.But in Dayan’s case he is a true old boy who sacrifices for his old school not anticipating any returns .It is learnt that like in all other OBA’s they too have get togethers’ with families and even organize sports festivals.
From the foregoing the activities of Dayan Witharana is well scripted. He is undoubtedly a wonderful human being with very rare humane qualities and stern principles. Being a staunch Buddhist a strict vegetarian, a lover of animals values human life to unparalleled elevations. Dayan could be fathomed as an ideal person to imitate. An ideal role model to all.All his followers and fans would wish him good health and longevity. Theruwan Saranai
Sunil Thenabadu
e mail sthenabadu@hotmail.com,
whatsapp 0061444533242
