KALASURI NAVARATHNA GAMAGE SUPERLATIVE MUSIC COMPOSER AND DIRECTOR TRIUMPHED IN ALL GENRES -THEATRE, FILMS, TELE’S, CONCERTS AT PEAK OF CELEBRITY – by Sunil Thenabadu
The name Navarathna Gamage is synonymous with the award winning acclaimed music composer and director who has been in the forefront in the field of arts in native Sri Lanka during the past two and a half decades, having contributed immensely for every genre of arts; theatre, cinema, Tele’s, musical concerts and songs, for over three thousand compositions. ’Nava’ as many addresses him had been in the summit of celebrity in the music sphere having won the deep gratitude and acknowledgement for enthralling fans winning recognition and awards locally and internationally.
Navarathna Gamage born on 14th January 1960 has had no target in life when young, born to very humble parents duo Pandi Gamage Wilson attached to the postal department and Seelawathie Hewavitharana as the eldest son of six siblings three younger brothers and two younger sisters. He was brought up in a village environment in Delkanda within a peaceful surrounding environment of Pangirirwatta , Gangodawila ,Pepiliyana areas not congested having a peaceful atmosphere away from the hassle and buzzle of the city. The parents had lived a very subdued life extremely generous all out to help anyone sans any selfishness, which young Navarathna Gamage has inherited via hereditary affiliations. He believes if he has been acclaimed today as a competent musician all credit should undoubtedly befall on his humble parents, particularly as the manner the duo paved the correct path for him to access the society and the approach to survive. They always had taught him to think of the others more than self . Young Navarathne has had his primary education at Sri Revata Vidyalaya in Nugegoda, thereafter his higher education at Sri Subhodarama Education Institute .From his young days had been a keen reader willing to learn many topics, listening to the radio songs in particular, visiting cinemas to watch films with his group of friends. Navarathna has had a deep passion for literature and works of arts had lived in a typical children’s’ world. The ‘Sony’ radio they had at home was constantly tuned to alternate channels where songs were heard, for which mother had warned him not to break it by his frequent acts. Young Navarathna had lived in a very cultural environment which was then not at all competitive like today. Navarathna and his young school buddies used to spend time at the Sri Vivekaramaya temple and Daham Pasela in Pangiriwatta where the Chief Incumbent was a very kind understanding monk who used to give Navarathna and his colleagues meals too ,when they stayed for long. The precise Buddhist practices had been taught at the temple during the Daham ‘Pasel’ classes to him and his close associates, The area in Delkanda where Navarathna was born was a cosmopolitan suburb of Colombo capital was emerging as a hub for socio -cultural pursuits. Having had some share of intense leading personalities, musicians ,academics, social workers had inspired young Navarathna to get a in-depth a feel of the individuals and their ambitions for social interactions. The three leading cinema halls screened the best of Western, Indian and Sinhala films which Navarathna and his close buddies patronized when time permitted.
image source : facebook Navarathna Gamage
Navarathna and his click of thick friends were in the habit of walking to the “Janatha Pragathi Library’ at Pepiliyana to borrow books. The books that were read had been authored by mentors like SWRD Bandaranaike,Colvin R de silva, Dr NM Perera, Peter Keunemen who all had preached for a vibrant future Sri Lanka. Then the group were crazy to read books of literary giants like Dr Ediriweera Sarathchandra, Sugathapala de Silva, Henry Jayasena etc to enhance their knowledge on art and culture. It should be emphasized that the passion for the youngsters was to educate themselves on many ranges. Behind the dwelling of the Navarathna family there had been an ‘orphanage’ where a lot of activities related to culture were constantly held like dramas, films, concerts for many festivals like Vesak, Sinhalese new year, Christmas etc which was a terrific opportunity for young Navarathna to enhance his skills in these diverse areas. Also, in the same village there were two elderly musicians Richard Aiya and West Aiya who played the “Harmonium” delightfully to unprecedented tall elevations which amazed young Navarathna to build a platform in music for his future triumphs.
It had been by sheer coincidence how Navarathna had begun his music career though he has had innate talent. His brother Nihal Gamage’s friend had been musician Keerthi Pasquel who also had lived in the Pangiriwatta area.Once he was passing Keerthi’s dwelling he had stopped for a gossip. When he professed his desire to enter the singing arena as he was talented, Keethi had given a letter to meet Nanda Malini at the Hanwella Central where her musical show ‘Sathyaye Geethaya’ was in progress at the school show at 3.30 PM. At the break Navarathna had given the letter of introduction of Keerthi Paskuel to Nanda Malini who had told music director Rohana Weerasinghe to test his skills. By then talented Navarathna had taken to head, the chorus singing at the school show had impressed the music director Rohana who had said to dress up to sing chorus for the second show for the public.The other musicians had been Kalani Perera, DD Gunasena, HM Jayawardena,Kithsiri Perera,Sena Weerasekera all stalwarts in the music arena. As Keerthi Paskuel was always busy with the band and recordings of Stanley Peiris ,Navarathna had got the opportunity to sing chorus for all Nanda Malini’s ‘Satgyaye Geethaya” extravaganza which travelled all over the country. This opportunity had made young Navarathna to participate in almost one hundred and fifty to two hundred musical shows of Nanda Malini.
It was around this time as Navarathna had a deep passion for mechanical engineering, he had joined the Colombo Commercial Company Engineering division as an apprentice.as his intention was to become someone unique in the Engineering field had learnt the manufacturing of tea grinding machines. The CCC Engineering division had commenced in the time of the English regime was a fully fledged company having all sophisticated machinery supposed to be a sought after company for development of any type of engineering masterpieces. He was determined to pursue a professional career in a technical field and undergone necessary training. At the company he had been fortunate to work under Jay Weerawardena who was an energetic able superior who with his qualifications had subsequently migrated to Brisbane Australia as he too had felt the prospects were bleak in Sri Lanka.He holds the position of Associate Professor im Marketing at the Griffith University in Brisbane. Navarathna had abandoned the intended professional career and decided to follow his passion which has given him abundance of thrills of joy in his teens – the field of music and became musician. In over two decades, he has reached the top in field of music in Sri Lanka enthralling millions of fans in every realm of arts- theatre, cinema, teledrama, concerts, etc. Navarathna had his initial professional music training under Maestro B. Victor Perera. Navarathna thrived in learning music which led him to associate with the modern Guru of Sinhala theatre, Professor Ediriweera Sarachchandra, as member of his troupe showcasing singing and acting in “Maname”, “Sinhabahu” and many other productions. Navarathna was able to receive the guidance and training from greats such as Pandith Amaradeva, Visharada Nanda Malini, Dr. Premasiri Khemadasa, in diverse field of music genres. It was the young dramatists, that came after Navarathna to compose and direct music for theatre productions. Navarathna’s past experiences, guidance, training, which he had under greats in the field of music, had a lasting effect on him and led to success straight away. Young directors gave him to the freedom to research and experiment which he never failed on them. During those times, leading musicians such as P.V. Nandasiri, Jayanatha Aravinda, Harsha Makalanda, Rohana Weerasinghe etc, noticed the nurturing flair and the devotion of Navarathna making him as their Assistant Music Director for many productions.
Navarathna no doubt has enhanced the route youngsters who want to make their mark in the field of music by a host of publications and by undertaking teaching assignments at several intuitions. The outstanding quality in Navarathna ’s music is the ‘effect’ he generates. He has explained his art “saying he does this by adding his own inimitable flavours . Maybe it happens instinctively because of the theatrical skill in his foundational years. Navarathna always endeavour to give a unique ‘colour’ to his work of music, through voice or an instrument. The unique spectacular turn is foremost in his inspirational work..Navarathna had lamented to the media that when he cannot compose music for a song sans changing the lyrics he loses temper for a moment until he finally succeeds. It had said lyricists like Upul Shantha Sannasgala .Asoka Handgama and Kelum Srimal are very stringent not permitting to change lyrics always insisting to compose music with the identical lyrics.
A colleague in the Engineering division Reginald Jayamanne before he quit the Colombo Commercial Company had produced a musical play, knowing about the singing capacities and talents of Navarathna had selected him to sing chorus and act in his play. Thereafter Navarathna was selected to direct music in another stage play by Dharmadasa Kuruppu. Thereafter for the first tele drama of Rohan Weliwatta he was entrusted to direct music, in “Hari Dekma”. This endeavour was made easy to Navarathna as he had made music compositions for live stage plays which made the matters easy with his experience. Navarathna Gamage had directed music in nearly two hundred tele dramas produced by so many producers, a few names that comes to mind are Sugath Rohana,Tikiri Ratnayake,Anuruddha Jyasinghe,Nalan Mendis,Jayantha Chandrasiri,Prasanna Jayakody,Sunil Ariyaratne,Sarath Kotalawela etc., ..
Up to then Navarathna Gamage had not shown much interest to be a music director though he had the aptitude to sing and perhaps with innate talent.Navarathna Gamage is an auditioned clever Noorthi gee exponent having a ‘B’ grade status at the SLBC for ‘Nadagam gee’.Knowing this perhaps Dr Ediriweera Sarathchandra had auditioned him to sing a noorthi gee song.He had been immensely impressed with Navarathna with his accent in singing Noorthi who had sung also in front of legendary WD Amaradeva and Mahanama Wickremasinghe.The song was for the stage play ‘Bhavakadaturawa’., the song was ‘Rusiriva Landeki’.During the following five years Navarathna was elected for four more of Dr Ediriweera Sarathchandra stage plays like Maname, Sinhabahu,Pematho Jayathi Soko and Lomahansa.
During a television dialog Navarathna Gamage had added that for the craze he and his pals had even climbed over the walls of the stage at the Lumbini performing theatre to watch Jayalath Manoratne’s stage plays.In his wildest of dreams had never thought he would be appointed to direct music in his stage plays. Navarathna for his ability and competency had been selected to direct music in many Jayalath Manoratne stage plays where Navarathna Gamage had lived up to the desired expectations .The plays that comes to the mind of all stage play enthusiasts with diverse music genres are Sudu Redi Hora,Lokaya Thani Yayak,Kaneru Mal,Handa Nihanda, etc. In the late decade of the 1980’s a young colleague was experimenting in theatre was planning a stage drama .Deepthi Kumara Gunarathna having faith in his pal Navarathna had entrusted composition and direction of the music for “Niruwatha” stage play. Critics had hailed the deeds of the young producer and the music director thus paving the way for the proposed professional music career of Navarathna Gamage with the veterans picking him to be the assistant director for their contributions for “Antegoni”,”Hiroshima”,”Vilaapa”,”Dona Catherina” etc where Navarathna stamped his class beyond doubt . In year 2002 two decades ago young talented Navarathna directed music in four feature films challengingly v.i.z., Sulang Kirilli, Sudu Kaluwara, Pura Sakamana, and Sathkampa. Which was a real boost for his future career. After Navarathna Gamage grew in stature in a television dialog Actor Janaka Kumbukage termed him as the ‘ Tharunaye Ghandariya” very appropriately..
Though Navarathna Gamage is known to be acclaimed for his music melodies, rhythmic successions of musical tones usually repeated throughout a symphony in various forms. He has composed such music compositions in addition to songs for films ,stage plays and tele dramas. Though he could sing Navarathna prefers to compose music and tunes for songs.. In the teledrama ‘Meeduma’ of Anuruddha Jayasinghe where the music compositions for songs as well was entrusted to Navarathna.The lyrics of the song was by Kelum Srimal, the song was to be sung by Maurice Wijesinghe. Navarathna had composed music and sung the song as a ‘dummy’ for Maurice Wijesinghe to sing. The director thinking the song was sung by Maurice Wijesinghe had edited and had shot the scene where it was Dilhani Ekanayake who had portrayed the scene impressivly.Navarathna had made the director known that it needed to be sung by Maurice Wijesinghe, but the director had said cannot delete it as it was perfectly sung.In another similar incident in the teledrama “Roda Hathare Manamalayo” Navarathna had composed music for a duet sung by Sangeeth Wijesuriya with another vocalist who had not turned up.The director had insisted Navarathna to sing the duet with Sangeeth Wijesuriya. Navarathna claims though he could sing too, which he proved sans any doubt in Sihinayaki Re and Ma Novena Ma the work load he handles in composing music the time factor eludes him.
Navarathna has composed music to over three thousand songs many of which have become popular. When he was questioned at a television dialog he confessed that most songs which he regards as much better have been stagnated in many hard discs at various recording studios for abundant of reasons. Some tracks that have become hits are recollected as Pama Wela,Adara Mal Wala, Heenayaki Mata Adare,keli Lily Mal Kekuli,Kurulu Renaka Piyambala,Oba Enna, Me Rathri,Bangasala Veediya, Sanda Ahimi, and Seethala Sithuwille etc . Navarathna had composed music for all present day vocalists like Maurice Wijesinghe., Iman Perera, Nirosha Virajini, Abeywardena Balasuriya,Athula Adikari,Samitha Mudunkotuwa, Indika Upamali,Sunil Edirisinghe, Kolitha Bhanu Dissananayke, Dayan Vitharana, Gayathri Ekanayake, Keshan Shashindra, Amarasiri Peiris ,Bandula Wijeweera, Rashmi Sangeetha, Shanika Wanigasekera etc, Navarathna has many publications to his credit loves to share his expertise knowledge with younger generations willingly undertaking teaching assignments at many aesthetic institutions like Sri Palee Campus, of the University of Colombo ,Belwood music Institute, National youth services centre. Navarathna contributes to music been a mentor to guide young artistes and newcomers to the industry via reality and singing contests.
Navarathna during television dialogues had mentioned about his school friends Ranawana Bandara Perera who was senior to him in school and Sisira Bandara Kumara who had guided in his school days as a senior student had steered Navarathna in many ways. Living in the same locality had been playing together ,going to the cinema,library sharing common views..The former Ranawana Bandara Perera had guided Navarathna to advise him on music matters.But after leaving school for the trend in music Navarathna had gone to Premasiri Khemadasa’s Sangeetha Manjori to watch the music program “Mage kale Mayuri” when after leaving school his friend Bandara to had visited.Bandara had introduced him to Premasiri Khemadasa had even followed his music classes.Later on Navarathna had assisted him when he was producing cassettes. Bandara though he had gained admission to the University had rejected the offer had migrated to Brisbane as a skilled migrant having knowledge in mechanical engineering to commence his own business. Navarathna on his visits to Brisbane used to lodge with his long time comrade Bandara.His other school friend school friend is Sisira Bandara Kumara who had entered university passed out had travelled to many countries and opted to migrate also to Brisbane is currently hold a responsible position at the Griffith university in Brisbane.Sri Lanka is said to be developing country for decades but not shown progress in developing for decades. The migration from a developing country to a developed country like Australia is very common for those who possess the required educational requirements and skill.There are pros and cons in this as in any other decisions, migration to a developed country is obviously good. People do have right for better life, and it is a common knowledge that immigrants from the developing countries move to the developed countries as they want to overcome hardship in order to have a better life. However, in their desire to live a better life, sans corruption, political interference., gap between the rich and poor and other reasons When working as an apprentice at the Colombo Commercial Company Navarathna’s immediate superior was highly qualified Jay Weerawardena who had discharged duties like a typical English administrator. He too had migrated to Brisbane is now an Associate Professor and a leading researcher in strategic marketing with specialization.Navarathna reminisces the trio for the guidance he received from them before he became stable.The vision of them was tremendous inquiring always how Navarathna was fairing, his progress, advising on many facets, even asking whether he could survive well. As we all know Sri Lanka has fallen from the frying pan to the furnace,people are engaged in a hectic tussle to leave a comfortable life.Politics of course is the root cause of this catastrophe with political appointees been allowed to occupy main seats everywhere.
Navarathna’s professional career in music had begun as a ‘Nurthi Gee’ singer cum actor had come to the full circle with him emerging as a most sought-after musician for creations in different media. As he is popular now known in the field of music has thus covered all media in composing music for stage dramas, tele-dramas, films, documentaries, commercials, radio jingles, audio CDs and conducted orchestra for concerts etc. Navarathna had uttered that his ambition was not to be an stage actor and singer but his intention was to learn all about stage plays ,the manner the back stage is conducted to enhance in knowledge.Hence he had been drawn into stage play by sheer quirk. In over two decades he has reached the top in the field of music enthralling millions of fans. Navarathna Gamage’s musical guru was Maestro B. Victor Perera, under whom he had his professional training. He had the good fortune to associate with the modern guru of Sinhala theatre; Professor Sarathchchandra and be a member of his troupe as an actor and a singer in ‘Maname’, ‘Sinhabahu’ and many other productions. He had short stints of training under leading musical personalities like Pandith Amaradewa and Dr. Premasiri Kemadasa. Presently he has music directed over 170 tele-dramas and over 75 stage dramas, composed over 3000 songs and had directed music in over 30 films. He released a CD album ‘Sada Eliyen Dothak’ together with his own musical concert of his song compositions in 2004. He composed and directed spiritual music project named ‘Dhamma’ which was published by Studio Fontana in Czech Republic. In 2013, he directed and produced a musical symphonic theatre ‘Panamaura Kunchanada’ which had over a cast of one hundred and twenty. . He has won Presidential Awards, Sarasavi Awards, Raigam Tele Awards, Signis Awards, State Television Awards, Sumathi Tele Awards, State Drama Awards and National Youth Awards. He has also awarded internationally from Japan the ‘BUNKA Prize’ Award – The Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Fund 2003 and he has awarded ‘Kala Suri’ title in 2017 for special contribution to the development of Sri Lankan culture, arts, drama, cinema, music, etc.In the context of the foregoing the contribution to music rendered is enormous during the past two and a half decades which is gigantic.It is the fervent hope of all his fans would be to wish Navarathna Gamage good health and longevity and the strength to generate more creations for all audiences to enjoy.
Image Source : facebook.
Sunil Thenabadu
e mail sthenabadu @hotmail.com..
whatsApp 0061444533242.
