EXEMPLARY MUSIC COMPOSER THILINA RUHUNAGE WITH IMMENSE RHYTHMIC SKILLS STANDS TALL AMONG MILLENIUM GENERATION MUSICIANS-by Sunil Thenabadu
‘Composer” is a loose term that generally refers to any person who writes music. More specifically, it is often used to denote people who are composers by occupation or those who work in the tradition of making many music genres. Writers of exclusively or primarily songs are called composers. In other contexts, the term ‘composer’ can refer to a literary writer, or more rarely and generally, someone who combines pieces into a whole. Across cultures and traditions composers may write and transmit music in a variety of ways. In much popular music, the composer writes a composition, and it is then transmitted via oral tradition.
Thilina Ruhunage’s born in year 1981, a native of Bandarawela though parents are from down south forced to live in this locality owing to their transferable occupations. He has had his early primary education at the junior Bandarawela Madya Maha Vidyalaya namely EM Adhikari Primary , the secondary education at Prince of Wales College Moratuwa, the purpose to enter Prince of Wales was predominantly to play cricket on the turf wicket after having played on matting wickets at Bandarawela Madya Maha Vidyalaya. Thilina had dwelled at his mother’s sisters home, his mother had advised her sister to get him to concentrate on academic studies as he is bent mainly to play cricket. During this early era Thilina had never been interested or captivated to music. But his mother had known his innate talent in music despite financial constraints while shopping in Bandarawela Bazaar at Athula Trade Centre had bought a small red colour ‘Casio’ brand keyboard to Thilina with which he had on his own developed his innate music instincts which mother knew as when songs were telecast he used to play the tunes with his hands on the table.When the Keyboard was brought home the song ‘Muththe Monawada Karanne’ was played on home television which tune was played fittingly after inserting five batteries to the Keyboard mind you he was only then in the second standard .He had been his own teacher having an abundant of innate music instincts within himself. The heroics of Thilina’s keyboard triumphs learnt on his own was exhibited to his school colleagues which had thrilled and overwhelmed them.
He has had immense talent for cricket had thought of shinning as a cricketer was gigantic to him However he was deprived of a place in the College first X1 though he had performed well earlier which Thilina attributes the reason that he was focussing more devotion to academic studies than regular cricket practices which had ended in somewhat of a catastrophe to him as his fervent wish was to become recognised as a cricketer. Thilina was so interested in playing cricket on the turf wicket at Prince of Wales College had taken the initiative at the expense of studies. He even had assisted to compress the pitch with heavy rollers which was a specialized exercise after constantly watering the turf area.. Nevertheless, after he was dropped from the first X1 team he reminisces the severe shock of been regrettably rejected from the team he recollects having walked several times around the ground shedding tears over his exclusion..
In Year 1988 Thilina recollects he has had a craze for songs of Athma Liyanage, wearing a red jacket playing his three-unit key board and singing too at which time. Thilina had disclosed he could play the keyboard with his left hand only. From Athma Liyanage he had observed as a musician plays the keyboard with both hands unlike Thilini who only could play with his left hand only. Thilina had recorded Athma’s songs when telecast from television channels into cassettes had learnt to play the keyboard with both hands had performed successfully very confidentially by his own thinking, exercise and exertion. Owing to a certain deformity his right hand was inactive previously. The pitch range of Athma is very vast which very few vocalists possess was that revealed by Thilina. At that time Thilina in his wildest of dreams had never thought he will in the impending future would make popular melodies to Athma Liyanage at a time when he was stressed and struggling in life. This Thilina attributes to farsightedness having learnt to play the keyboard imitating him The melodies of the songs that were composed for Athma Liyanage were ‘ Penena Nopenna’ , ‘Sansara Adare’.’ ‘Ayeth Adaren’ and ‘ Me Hitha Thaniyen’ all lyrics were inscribed to precision by his beloved wife Rachitha Wakista which Thilina proudly reminisces. The above four songs deviate from one another vastly as the Thilina Rathitha combination always make different melodies which is a hallmark of his identity,, It needs to be emphasized that after tying the nuptial knot in year 2013 almost all lyrics to melodies of Thilina were compiled by Rachitha which was and presently is a vast advantage to his vocation.
After leaving school Thilina had gone in search of music genius Jagath Wickremasinghe whom he regarded even today as his ‘music hero’, ‘music Sir’ to learn mini technology featuring compact high-performance devices Jagath Wickremasinghe is one pioneer in digital music creation. Thilina had been astonished when he heard the Jagath Wickremasinghe’s rendition of the theme of ‘Sath Samudura’ film in the national television. Thilina had been stunned and astonished as to how Jagath had made this theme from the ‘keyboard’ unaccompanied by other instruments.. This was also one reason for Thilina to opt and choose Jagath Wickremasinghe as his mentor and ‘Guru’ .Thilina recollects very well , in year 2001 he and his father had strolled along ‘Gammana’ Road in Maharagama to meet the music prodigy Jagath Wickremasinghe’s dwelling.. His contemporaries in the millennium era were Bathiya and Santhush who broke into the music field with the re make of ‘ song ‘Siri Sangabo Maligawa’ . Once Thilina expressed his requirement Jagath Wickremasinghe had requested him to demonstrate his aptitude on the keyboard. Thilina making prodigious use of this opportunity had produced the sounds of many eastern musical instruments from the keyboard only which had made Jagath Wickremasinghe startled to unprecedented tall boosts had said that he could learn from Thilina. He had had asked Thilina whether he wished to participate in the national orchestra which was then led by Jagath Wickremasinghe. It was at that that moment Jagath was arranging the music in the concert ‘Gee Gaja Muthu’ at the BMICH the first concert WD Amaradewa had participated after receiving the ‘Phillipine Ramon Magsaysay’ award in Singapore in year 2001.Jagath had assuredly positioned Thilina as the main Keyboardist under him which was the beginning of his illustrious career as a musician. On that day the Bass Guitarist having met an accident his Bass music parts was also entrusted to Thilina to ne executed via the keyboard. This opportunity for Thilina’s age was a terrific challenge as he was unaware of the scales in the Bass.This gave the rare opportunity to Thilina to be exposed to the massive stage at such a tender age. Thilina recollects was a huge occasion in meeting many professional musicians at such an early age to select music as his future vocation sans any hesitancy. Immediately after this BMICH concert for another program of WD Amaradewa at the SLRC Thilina was invited to play keyboard. At this program too he recollects that he met music stalwarts ,including genius violinists DD Gunasena, Kalani Perera who also had participated.
It was at the same time that Thilina had met Athula Adhikari and Samitha Mudunkotuwa. Teaming with the duo the aptitudes in music of Thilina was discovered by Athula who welcomed the melody creations of Thilina had commenced to create ‘Jingles’ for commercials aimed to a famous media institution, which are short, catchy tunes of Thilina with appropriate lyrics used for advertising to make products and brands memorable Although they commercially flourished Thilina’s name was not made bulbous. It was at this time that Thilina and Athula duo had met a seasoned marketing individual, famous Aravinda Lokuge famously known as ‘DJ ARA’ through his leadership the ‘jingle’ occupational became lucrative. During this phase Thilina became very popular as a commercial figure in ‘jingles’.
During this period Athula had sung a number songs for music melodies of Thilina.The songs were sans videos ,Thilina always emphasise that to make a song a hit a music video is totally pointless. A few songs that were hits were ;Uda Irak Se’, ‘Illandaria’, ‘Nilmini Nethu Obe’,’Pathu Senehe Seyaru’, ’Hinawenna Beri Tharamata’ , ‘Pethu Sene Seyaru’ many had been ‘blasts’ articulated by Thilina.All songs were dissimilar to one another a feature foremost in his mind .. Thilina lamentably added that though all songs were popular in a certain media station his name was never made public for which he regrets. He also had said he never preserves a stock of melodies in his possession but as the need arises, he uses his aptitude to compose melodies that too different to one another which is the ‘hallmark’ of his triumph.
Subsequently Thilina broke into the limelight when he made the melody ‘Aiymath Adare’ of Athma Liyanage in year 2013 which was paying gratitude for inspiring Thilina with his three tier keyboard set up. This song has a relationship to Athula Adhikari Samitha Mudunkotuwa as a duet as she had sung in the background music in the original song,. Thilina had mentioned in a television sequencer that Athma had sung to D Minor pitch while Athula duo had sung in B Minor pitch by changing the ranges. Thilina recollected the good mannerism and gesture of Athma by conveying that when he arrives at the studio in the morning he brings a large comb of plantains and ‘kevili’ short eats prepared by his wife.
Thilina could sing but not perfectly had sung only five songs as he feels it is not his forte .His first song melody was ‘Nilmini Nethu Obe’ sung by Athula Adhikari which is also in Athula’s last album ‘Email Kavikari’. Thilina had confessed that he is only talented in composing, directing music hence had thought only of pursuing such a career. Another song which Thilina composed with Athula Adhikari was ‘Nimawenna Beri Tharamata’ ,.Thilina is of the opinion that to make a song popular a video is not essential viz “Penena Nopenena’ , ‘Hitha Dura Hinda’ of Athma Liyanage,’ Pawela Kodu Akase’ of Samitha Mudunkotuwa are songs that have become hits sans videos. In a few instances after two years in becoming a hit some videos had been made for the song. ‘Penena Nopenena”.It was added by Thilina that Athma need the lyrics written in bold letters on sheets of paper which he memorises, when recording closes his eyes and sings remembering the large letters with maximum dedication.
As deserved gratitude to Jagath Wickremasinghe for giving him so many opportunities Thilina was staying anxiously for some time to make a song for him which according to Thilina had to be navigated carefully without harming his reputation , prestige cum his established image which was successfully sung by Jagath himself titled ‘Man Tharam’’ appropriate lyrics was penned by spouse Rachitha Wakista which was released a few years ago with a music video which is sure to be a enormous hit. Another song that was sung by Samitha Mudunkotuwa was ‘Pawela Kodu Akase” which was really designed for the wedding of the duo Thilina and Rachitha in year 2013 though were lovers How Thilina met Rachitha is interesting reading. Parents of the duo had gone on a pilgrimage to India had become acquainted .On return Thilina’s father had given the contact number of Rachitha’s father Chandra Wakista who was a renowned lyricist to contact him as he would be useful to his vocation. On telephoning Rachitha had answered from where the friendship had begun developed to a love affair had tied the nuptial knot after seeking consent from both sets of parents.She was a University undergraduate then had been competent in the Sinhalese vernacular while in school and university though not been a reputed lyricist, The first song to which she contributed to a melody was to the song video ‘Nanadumane Sihinaya Wela’ of Romesh Sugathapala.Thilina had said once Rachitha pens words she is reluctant to change. However vocalists have their own inimitable way of pronunciation which should be considered a priority.But Thilina is used to keep changing his music melodies until he is very contented and comfortable on the final melody. For both the best final is made when done in a rush.There have been occasions when the artiste arrives when Thilina and Rachitha had forgotten. In such instances the duo had tactfully quickly completed the melody and lyrics instantaneously. In a television dialogue it was added by Thilina that it is customary at present to record line by line but senior artistes do not prefer this method instead they want to take in one sequence the entire song.
After Samitha had voiced this song got she herself had uttered these lyrics resembles a wedding song had even refused to accept her fee for singing as she had known Thilina for a long time, also with his association with Athula initially when involved in making ‘jingles’. .Rachitha’s father is also a famous lyricist , Chandra Wakishta who has been responsible to write lyrics for many popular songs like e,g .‘Uthuru Kone”.sung by Gunadasa Kapuge. Rachitha is obviously has hereditary affiliations to fathers’ writing skill which is natural for a daughter. During a television dialog Thilina did say she had been his saviour Rachitha otherwise he may have had to face many charges against him in courts. Rachitha has added she likes Thilina to hum the melody when it is easier for her to complete lyrics correctly. Her service is all the more valuable as Thilina has only a handful of lyricists he is familiar with.Thilini added he cannot condemn any lyric writers as each person possess some forte and inimitability within them. Thilina reminisced that he owned a laptop only in year 2005 bought from gratuity funds received after retirement of his mother. It is now that Thilina is living comfortably in a two storeyed dwelling with his own equipped recording studio.
The song ‘Santhana Susum’ sung by Suneera Sumanga the melody was Thilina’s who was triumphed in Derana Dream Star gruelling contest was singing with permission WD Amaradewa’s songs. One day acclaimed lyricist Nuwan Liyanage had called Thilina asked whether he could bring Suneera Sumanga to his studio to record the song for the lyrics made by him.Thilina had seen tears coming from Suneera’s eyes reading the lyrics which was a new experience for him when recording his first song. That day Thilina’s studio was dismantled and under repairs. However, sans ideal settings with Thilina’s competence the song was voiced which had come good. This song had changed the music path of Suneera Sumanga who was singing only songs of WD Amaradewa, having sought agreement. .
Thilina also at a television dialogue had said he makes melodies thinking the abilities of each vocalist and there strengths. This is one of Thilina’s characteristics in his chosen music field. It should be emphasised that his varied aptitude to be sought after is his competency on the keyboard which was proved when he attends to music related programs in vivid television channels. Most of songs of Thilina are in audio only a few only with videos. All his melodies and lyrics are made to precision not to harm, upset or hurt anyone.
Thilina Ruhunage is the owner of VOIZY UNIVERSE (PVT )LTD a established in year 2020 a prominent you tube channel while his wife Rachitha Wakista is co-director of this you tube channel. Thilina’s achievements in the field as a music composer and director had been in many sites and channels. Hence it had become a dire inevitability to fetch all of them under one podium hance had inaugurated this you tube channel not long ago. During the past the duo has had not known and the familiarity about Copyright law which gives distinct protection to three different parts of music A “musical work” is the amalgamation of sounds in music. This can comprise, for example, the melody, harmony and rhythm. The lyrics are predominantly a “literary work”. A recording of a musical work and lyrics is a “sound recording” In the latter part of 2019 the duo after experiencing many issues like damages caused to their creations had studied them prudently had decided to form an institution ideally under one platform to store all creations mainly songs. The name of ‘Voizy Universe Pvt Ltd’ company was established of course with the assistance of several knowledgeable individuals The establishment was launched in year 2020..The first creation was the song ‘Sansare Adare’ made to Athma Liyanage.It should be emphasised the passage after that was not that smooth had to confront many issues like spending money to make productions but the toil the duo had to endure cannot be addressed by words .It was added that the motive of this exercise is to gratify and oblige our music lovers. The company was awarded the SILVER award on reaching 100 K subscribers recently which was a huge boost for their efforts. The duo did mention about those who helped them in many conducts to bring the YouTube channel to get off the blocks like Suresh Premachandra, Parents of the duo, Kasun Madushanka of ‘Desawana Music’,who grew this channel to the precise track,, also Lahiru Gayeshan,Chamuka Chenuka,Graphic designer Chush,, Akash,Vidarshana,MV Praveeth, a special mention was made to Chamupa who helped in screaming platforms and Spotify. Special mention was also made to all who helped to direct videos and in portraying roles in videos. As this you tube is predominately represented with music videos all singers like Athma Liyange, Athula Adhikari, Samitha Mudunkotuwa, Jagath Wickremasinghe, Edward Jayakody.Amarasiri Peiris, Suriya ( a Tamil song) , Theekshana Anuradha etc who contributed are remembered for their sacrifices. It was mentioned by Thilina that in certain you tube channels owners place barriers and restrictions which are not acquainted in the strategies of VOIZY U tube channel. Even if novices copy the songs and perform cover versions there are no objections by the VOIZY personnel as their prime intention is to solely do augment art in the country giving a unbending hand. It was revealed by Thilina and Rachitha in the presence of the two little sons having unboxed the channel after receiving the certificates and the Silver Button.This was very special to Thilina as he had never received an award even at school.
Thilina do not deploy only reputed singers for his song melodies. But if a novice makes a plea to record a song the first thing he develops a chemistry for the artiste in doing a voice test , breeding and pronunciation also should know the language of the studio, before proceeding when he determines his appropriateness and vocal technique insists on some previous voice clips to peruse. After prudently determining the words, the singer cannot pronounce Thilina advises Rachitha not to add such words explaining the ’pitch’ he has to sing on. This he believes that listeners want the voice taste, may listen to Hindi songs though the meanings. of the words are not known when the voices are honied. Thilina advises many not to select singing as a profession as initially a lot of money need to be invested, his advise is to just learn to sing restricting to a function.
Thilina has now been in the music field for just over two decades. After his marriage to Rachitha in year 2013 he had stridden to higher altitudes in the music field is now an established as a shining star in our music arena, owning a fully fledged music studio with wife as a prolific lyricist by his side which facilitates his vocation. All his followers would wish him to resounding triumph for future endeavours as a sought-after renowned musician. Thilina and Rachitha are having intentions of organizing a concert comprising the songs composed by the duo.As there are many popular songs selecting about thirty popular songs remain a barrier, however very soon this proposed concert would be held for which all music lovers wish it will get off the blocks momentarily.
Some few other songs for which melodies were made by Thilina are ‘Madahas Palama’’Santhana Susum’,’’Ayemath Adare;.’As Deka Pura’’Man Nubemada’”Me Hoitha Thaniyen,’ Sandata Divura Kiyanam’,”Hirimal Hinawaka’,’Ekama Kathawak’.’Ape Kathawa’.’Prathana’,’ Adarey Man Adarey’.,’Sihinayaki Seya’,’Sansari Ma’,’ Api Wenada Agiya Pare’, ‘Ahasa Tharam Adareta’ etc.
Sunil Thenabadu email sthenabadu@hotmail.com whatsapp 0061444533242
