DAYARATNA PERERA UNPARALLELED ACCLAIMED HUMAN BEING WITH UNIQUE IMMENSE HUMANE VALUES, INIMITABLE MUSICIAN CUM VOCALIST IN A DELIGHTFUL VOYAGE FOR FOUR AND A HALF DECADES – By Sunil Thenabadu
Several terms can effectively describe someone with many talents. Common phrases include “Jack of All Trades,” which implies proficiency in various fields. “Renaissance Person” reflects historical figures noted for their artistic and intellectual versatility. One might also use “Multi-Talented Individual” or “Versatile Genius,” both emphasizing comprehensive skills. Other terms are how Dayaratne Perera could be described as “Skilled All-Rounder,” “Diverse Skill Set,” “Accomplished Specialist,” “Master of Many Crafts,” “Gifted Flexibility.” Each designation highlights the adaptability and broad capabilities of such individuals. Exploring these terms further reveals the depth and implications of having diverse talents in the context of today’s world.
Dayaratne Perera is a ‘Polymath’ person” one who symbolizes diverse skills across various disciplines in multiple fields, showcasing intellectual adaptability and creativity.Dayaratne Perera has been well known to the author could be termed as a ‘Versatile Genius” emphasised as a person possessing exceptional aptitude to navigate over and excel in different spheres. Dayaratne is perhaps a multitalented individual who possess a wide range of skills and flairs, so often outshining over many in creative and analytical fields.
Pathirage Dayaratne Perera popularly known as Dayaratne Perera is a native of Koswatta, Battaramulla, is a septuagenarian, born on 13th July 1952 as the youngest sibling among eleven children. He is rare individual among human beings who effortlessly surpasses most of his colleagues in his vast familiarity in many fields, need to mention predominantly is a staunch Buddhist who could preach Lord Buddha’s teachings even better that most Buddhist monks.Dayaratne is one who also could converse on any subject other than on his acquainted music sphere. This he had proved beyond any doubt on his versality having proved at abundant of television confrontations. At a television interchange he was once characterised as a philosopher possessing the basic ideas of knowledge, truth, right and wrong, religion and the widespread logic of life. Hence Dayaratne Perera is undeniably a sporadic individual above many individuals.
After his school education when occupations were very rare had worked in some factories and establishments for meagre salaries which was hardly sufficient even for his own expenses .He recollects had been placed on night duty at a manufacturing factory when he had to suffer mentally too but has had no other alternative. After a suffering for about a decade a colleague had commenced a business with his wife to manufacture caps which had a demand after obtaining cut pieces from Hentley garments. The colleague had persuaded Dayaratne too to commence a comparable business which made Dayaratne too been interested had obtained cut pieces from Mayura garments to commence a similar business of stitching caps with guidance of his wife who possessed a Juki machine .These caps were in huge demand as they were grabbed by Pettah businessman for immediate cash as the demand for his unique caps with zips too.It need to be elaborated that Dayaratne has a technical cum creative mind . Dayaratne knowing this as a lucrative occupational had resigned from his profession had bought another machine had deployed a girl. Thereafter the garment business flourished when more sewing machines were deployed with additional staff. For his travelling he had initially purchased a C 90 Honda motor cycle later had bought a brand new 125CC Honda motor cycle for Rupees12500.After he has had a fall he had sold the motor bike and bought a Volkswagen car. It was revealed by Dayaratne before he quit his factory job had consulted an astrologer who had predicted him luxurious. future.Dayaratne prudently with his earnings had built his house after demolishing the crumbling old ancestral dwelling.
When describing a person who helps others, especially those in need,
These terms can be used in various
Dayaratne had been a passionate music enthusiast from his school days though not had any hereditary affiliations to melody, harmony, tune in music, has had ‘daham pasel’ education too. He had taken part in many amateur singing competitions as a youngster having tasted success. He recalls in year 1980 how he and his colleague responded to an advertisement calling for applications from amateurs for a singing competition at Gampaha EXPO 80 organised in Gampaha sponsored by Millstones musical instruments manufacturers. When Dayaratne and his friend were asked to come for the audition unfortunately the audition had been cancelled owing to a family bereavement of a musician. Dayaratne had told we two are disillusioned as we have come all the way from koswatta, Battaramulla. When the proprietor said no one to back Dayaratne had said he could play the ‘Surpina” while his friend was capable in playing the ‘tabla’. Dayaratne had sung by which the proprietor had been overwhelmed and said both of you have passed. The organisers were keen to have this contest with ten contestants only,Dayaratne recalls his number had been No 4, he had sung impressively Victor Ratnayake’s “Soka Senasum Vedana” song. The judges had said it was difficult to name the winners had decided for five singers to sing on a later date. On that day he had sung the “Me Saumya Rathri” which he had not practiced, also it had to be sung on a high pitch .For Dayaratne’s luck after he sang two lines was asked to stop owing to a time issue. But when the result was announced he had been named the ‘winner’ something he never anticipated. He had been awarded a certificate and a Violin as prizes which he cherishes even today.
Dayaratne had begun his musical voyage only as an instrumentalist having studied under the accomplished violinist B Victor Perera. However owing to the passion for music Dayaratne had learnt to play all other instruments too. Also during a television dialog Dayaratne affirmed that he had listened to songs broadcast over our ‘frequency modulated’ airwaves for three decades including many Hindi songs. Hence he could sing songs of other vocalists too. This ability Dayaratne had demonstrated in many television programs on many occasions to precision to spellbound the presenters and audiences A few years ago was invited to sing seven songs of other vocalists in the famous TV Derana channel’s “Ma Novena Mama” a unique program. He sang songs of other vocalists like Victor Ratnayake, Sisira Senaratne, Milton Mallawarachchi, Dharmadasa Walpola,Daya Hemantha Abeysekera, HR Jothipala duet with Sujatha Attanayake,R Muththusamy duet with Sujatha Attananayke, song of Mohamed Rafai. Dayaratne very unassumingly added that he did not chose a WD Amaradeva song as he was a legend, incompetent to emulate him simply but he could sing, not to meticulously . When he sang a song of Mohamed Rafai he even added a small part on his own to prove his expertise in music without harming the original melody, such is the innate talent of Dayaratne.He made a huge complement to veteran vocalist Sujatha Attanayake which according to his knowledge she is the most perfect female vocalist executing sound vowels to precision throughout any type of song sung by her. Dayaratne commended TV Derana, the producer of the “Ma Novena Mama” ,Chinthaka Gamlath for creating this unmatched venture which is arousing tremendous interest among all audiences in Sri Lanka and overseas. After singing his seven songs he said he had made some mistakes when singing which only he had known, such is his expertise on music. Dayaratne very humbly conveyed to the presenter at the end that he was a novice in this instance.
Initially even Dayaratne himself was unaware whether his voice will rhyme with music. However, he soon realised his voice was rhyming perfectly with background music .First song was ‘Nododa Muwin Hamuwee Denathin” lyrics were by novice Upali Ariyratne his childhood friend from the neighbourhood, the music melody was of Ajith Jayaweera’s a program producer in SLRC. The lyrics of another early song was also by Upali Ariyaratne music by Turin Jayaratne. For the song ’Mulu Lowama Kathawe Mulu Lowama Sinase” Dayaratne complemented Turin Jayaratne for his willingness in making the music melody which he does for his overall pleasure, undeniably devoid of any monetary gain.
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Dayaratne since has made valuable contributions to the country’s music sphere as a singer and a musician in a career spanning over four decades. Though Dayaratne had sung only a less than forty songs among them the popular songs are ‘Nododa Muwin Hamuwee Denethin, Bingu Bamaa Bamaa, Digu Neth Hasarelle, Eya Mata Seetha Devi Nowe, Mulu Lowama Kathawee, Obata Sitha Adare Karai, Suwanda Salanawa’etc .In his scintillating voyage in the musical sphere all of which contain lyrics which are well worded to coincide with true incidents confronted in typical lives of people mainly on loathe and hatred. Dayaratne had also made lyrics for many of his songswith the music compositions too.Most are equally predominant, compile lyrics one takes time, sometimes makes to the musical melody in a track or to request the lyricist to create words to the musical track which is the common phenomenon. In this aspect Dayaratne hails KDK Dharmaratne as a master in this craft as he could also substitute words to the track snappishly sans much time within five to ten minutes.
Dayaratne’s all songs are remembered even today and are favourites of many especially at outdoor musical shows. He is often called to many chat programs in many television channels, at which he had been found to talk ‘WISDOM” educating all audiences making them invariably spellbound and mesmerized. Dayaratne is one artiste who is invited by many musicians and producers to sing in musical shows for decades .Strangely unlike songs of other artistes Dayaratne’ s are not attempted to sing at reality competitions by novices as they could not sing. About a few years ago prominent musician Roshan Fernando owner of ‘Flash Back’ had invited him for auditions at his studio in which he had triumphed to gratify him, hence Dayartane is always invited to musical shows when ‘Flash Back’ backs music. Dayaratne usually drives his vehicle to all faraway places taking a supporter in the event of a tyre puncture to assist. A few months ago after driving about three hundred kilometres he had developed an issue to his femur of a leg having used the clutch frequently which had prevented easy flow of blood. After visiting several specialist doctors and ayurveda clinics as he had found no cure at present is undergoing acupuncture treatment in the Ayurveda hospital from which he has received a huge redress. It should be emphasized that Dayaratne although is competent in singing he continues to practice at home with his ’surpina’ daily particularly before he sings at a concert which is the hall mark of his successful musical journey.
When Dayaratne grew in stature as a sought after quality singer had been invited to sing in many concerts overseas. Dayaratne’s first overseas tour was in Dubai in year 1993. Since then he had toured a few countries including to the concert “Nesena Gee” in Melbourne Australia synchronised by musician Indrajit Mirihana in year 2017 where he was bestowed with the title “Keerthibooshana” deservedly. In December 2017 at the ‘Kalabooshana’state awards ceremony Dayaratne was awarded the once in a life award from the minister Palitha Thewarapperuma .It was in this ceremony the legendary actress Iranganie Serasinghe too was awarded the same life time award.
It had been KDK Dharmawardena the renowned lyricist who cannot be forgotten as he had given Dayaratne a huge boost to his musical career for the lyrics he had written for many of his songs .For Dayaratne the songs he wrote were etched in memory deeply to his heart. like” Suwanda Salenawa”, ‘Obata Sitha Adare Karai” are some lyrics of such songs of KDK. While the music compositions were by himself.it is pertinent that Dayaratne is capable of writing music notations which had been an advantage for his music career unlike most of his counterparts For him to become an ‘A’ grade artiste at the SLBC it was KDK who had been predominantly instrumental as the lyrics of many songs had been penned by him. It need to be emphasised that for making many music tracks for songs he had spent days with his friend Upali Ariyaratne. Dayaratne had stated that the lyrics were changed by him as he made the music melody tracks ,this astonishing aptitude of his warrants applause.. .
Dayaratne had not sung many songs but fortunately all his songs had been ‘hits’. One very popular song is “Bigu Bama Bama” which many children pronounce incorrectly, the lyrics were also by KDK who compiled to a music track made by Dayaratne himself . Dayaratne could sing other singers songs very assuredly and flawlessly like of Victor Ratnayake,Sanath Nandasiri,HR Jothipala.Dharmadasa Walpola.Mohideen Beg or any named vocalist which he had proved sans any doubt. proved many times in television chat programs over the years. This unique ability is possessed by him only which all followers of music are well versed. These he had proved when invited to sing at SLRC’s Peo Legend and Tone Poem television programs very popular among all assorted audiences. Another admirable characteristic of Dayaratne is that he is willing to sing duets with novice singers, a good example was when he sang with novice singer Poorna Sachintha in a SLRC program.
It should be emphasised that Dayaratne possesses immense computer skills like technical proficiency, IT abilities, digital literacy, software expertise ,programming aptitude, information technology skills and technology adeptness. Hence he is able even to store all his television interviews, the songs sung over the past decades,Dayaratne is well conversed with even editing photos or whatever which is a rare achievement which none of his counterparts could perform, this uniqueness in him is unknown to many.All his well wishers would wish him good health to continue in his already established music career.
