DAYARATNE PERERA INCOMPARABLE INIMITABLE MUSICIAN CUM VOCALIST IN AN EFFERVERSCENT VOYAGE FOR OVER FOUR DECADES – by Sunil Thenabadu
Pathirage Dayaratne Perera popularly known as Dayaratne Perera is a native of Koswatta,Battaramulla, as his ancestors is a septuagenarian, born on 13th July 1952 is rare individual among human beings who effortlessly surpasses the majority of his colleagues in his vast familiarity in many fields, need to mention predominantly is a staunch Buddhist who could converse on any subject other than his familiar music sphere. At a television confrontation was once categorised as a philosopher possessing the basic ideas of knowledge, truth, right and wrong, religion and the extensive meaning of life.
Dayaratne had been a passionate music enthusiast from his school days, 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 are disappointed 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” his friend was capable in playing the ‘tabla’. Dayaratne had sung 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 at 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 over our airwaves for three decades including many Hindi songs.Hence he could sing songs of other vocalists too.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, Mohamed Rafai. Dayaratne very unassumingly added that he did not chosen a WD Amaradeva song as he was a legend, incompetent to emulate simply but could sing, not to meticulousness. 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 . Dayaratne 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 inimitable concept. Also, during his comments Dayaratne said once at an outdoor concert the announcer had requested him to sing a song of another artiste. Sans any hesitation he had sung “Piyapath Sala “ song of Milton Mallawarachchi to precision which many from all quarters in the audience had flocked towards the podium to find who was singing. Hence this program “Ma Novena Mama” is arousing tremendous interest among all audiences in native 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 an absolute novice in this instance. About seven years ago Dayaratne was invited as the guest singer in “Gee Mathaka” also in TV Derana in year 2017.Dayaratne was extremely thankful to the authorities of TV Derana for the invitation extended when he articulated as ‘Pin Bara Derana’ conveying an accolade that the prime duty of any artiste is to delight people, hence TV Derana channel is one he cherishes from his heart. He confessed that It is a gigantic merit in making others happy.
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 then. The lyrics of another early song was also by Upali Ariyaratne music by Turin Jayaratne”.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 ,absolutely devoid of any monetary gain.
In the good old days, any individual could record one’s own songs which had to be sent to the SLBC for approval. To Dayaratne’s astonishment all five of his songs were approved by the SLBC for the ‘Sarala Gee’ programs. Thus, Dayaratne had pierced into the music arena rather effortlessly in the year 1986. He soon got an opportunity to be part of the Rupavahini orchestra when Ajith Jayaweera was a programme producer when he officially joined the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation orchestra. Subsequently he did a few originals for SLBC and that paved the way for him to make a mark as a singer. Later in the 1990s he was ranked as an ‘A’ Grade SLBC singer. At the SLBC Dayaratne was fortunate to meet heavyweight veteran personalities, musicians, lyricists like KDK Dharmawardena, Mervyn Perera, Daya de Alwis,Turin Jayaratne ,Ajith Jayaweera and others who had made a huge impact in his singing career.
Dayaratne since has made valuable contributions to the country’s music sphere as a singer and a musician in a career spanning nearly four decades. Though Dayaratne had sung only a less than forty songs like Nododa Muwin Hamuwee Denethin, Bingu Bamaa Bamaa, Digu Neth Hasarelle, Eya Mata Seetha Devi Nowe, Mulu Lowama Kathawee, Obata Sitha Adare Karai, Suwanda Salanawa.In his scintillating voyage in the musical sphere had sung only around forty songs all of which contain lyrics which are well worded to coincide with true incidents confronted in normal lives of people mainly on loathe and hatred. Most are equally predominant, compile lyrics he takes time, sometimes makes the musical melody in a track to request the lyricist to create words. In this respect Dayaratne hails KDK Dharmaratne as a master as he could substitute words to the track snappishly sans much time sometimes 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.
When the cassette era emerged with the able assistance and motivation of Anton J Fernando had released three cassettes containing most of his songs.The cassettes were named as “Nododa Muwin”,”Obata Sitha Adare Karai and “Diguneth Hasarelle” all titles were names of his popular songs.
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.
Dayaratne Perera had commenced his musical career as a Violinist under Guru B Victor Perera who had him the Violin but had played many other instruments too.In the good old days there was routine to donate songs by recording outside to the SLBC .He had recorded five songs and all were accepted by the authorities which was not the normal acceptance as in many cases some songs of any artiste are rejected . It was a great encouragement as he was only a proficient instrumentalist. Initially even Dayaratne did not know whether his voice will rhyme with the music.First song was ‘Nododa Muwin Hamuwee Denathin” lyrics by Upali Ariyratne his friend from the neighbourhood music melody of Ajith Jayaweera.The lyrics of another early song was also by Upali Ariyaratne music by Turin Jayaratne…”Mulu Lowama Kathawe Mulu Lowama Sinase”Dayaratne complemented Turin Jayaratne for his willingness in making the music melody which he does for many not considering his fee. ” Mulu Lowama Katha We Mulu Lowama Hinawe” also one of his early songs also with the amalgamation of Upali Ariyratne’s lyrics and melody .music composition of Turin Jayaratne. Theewafter ‘Wana Malen’ also a song sung initially, the music was by Dayaratne himself the lyrics again was by Upali Ariyaratne ,a song that he sings in indoor and outdoor musical concerts often. After on musical show Dr Ajantha Ranasinghe also had complimented on the lyrics after hearing him sing. Dayaratne had confessed to the media that for him to compose a melody which takes a few days.The lyrics of the song “ Bigu Neth Hasarelle” was penned by Kusum Peiris to the music track of Ajith Jayaweera for which she had hesitated initially.
It had been KDK Dharmawardena the late 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 like similar to his heart.” Suwanda Salenawa”, ‘Obata Sitha Adare Karai” are some lyrics of songs of KDK. the music were by himself.it is pertinent that Dayaratne is capable of writing music notations which had been an advantage for his music career. For him to become an ‘A’ grade artiste at the SLBC it was KDK who had been chiefly instrumental as the lyrics of many songs had been penned by him.It need to be emphasised that for many songs music tracks he had spent days with his friend Upali Ariyaratne. Dayaratne had added that the lyrics were changed by him as he made the music melody tracks. .
During his peak days Dayaratne used to receive around fifteen fan letters daily. One such fan had suggested an idea for a song.That is about himself who had been adamant to speak to a certain girl leaves home prepared dressed well with the intention of speaking to a girl but when the girl is near he becomes excited and nervous had not been able to speak but later he sees her talking to another boy. For this Dayaratne had made a music track with Chandana Welikala had requested his friend KDK to create words. This is how KDK composed the lyrics to the song “Obata Sitha Adare Karai” which he had made within an unbelievable time of five to ten minutes. In this manner Dayaratne place KDK in very high esteem as a lyricist for his fluency.
Dayaratne had not sung many songs but all his songs had been ‘hits’.One very popular song is “Bigu Bama Bama” which many children pronounce incorrectly, the lyrics are 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. 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
The writer is domiciled in Brisbane Australia having migrated in the year 2014 loves art knowns many artistes personally having lived adjoining Kala Pura Mt Lavinia for seventeen years.Although presently is a free-lance journalist owning a blog of my own www.info-rain.com love to search facts about artistes and publish . I have watched many television programs in which Dayaratne Perera had participated over the years and found him to be well versed in many areas of life, was once labelled by a television presenter as a philosopher possessing a vast knowledge in many areas like truth, right and wrong, religion, meaning of life etc.. Listening to him would be a great privilege to all .All his followers and fans would wish him more strength for his future creations which deviate from all norms only exclusive to him.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane
WhatsApp 0061444533242
email sthenabadu@hotmail.com
