"PAPA DE NIESE"

“PAPA DE NIESE”

I am nearly certain that this is the man involved in this fascinating story sent in by Algi Wijewickrema & Keith Bennett. I was a Peterite of this era, but our Masters were always better known by their nicknames and Papa de Niese was certainly one of the ‘top ones’.

Desmond Kelly.. (Mr.Music)
(Editor-in-Chief)…e’Lanka.

Source:Facebook

After the names of Rev. Fr. Maurice Le Goc and Rev. Fr. Nicholas Perera, arguably the most mentioned name in the annals of early College history, is that of George Henry de Niese and it would not be right to close the centenary year without a tribute to this versatile person that served St. Peter’s in more than one way. It is not only for his contribution as a teacher, artist, musician and designer that he deserves to be remembered but also for the legacy he left behind.

Based on records available and the input from two of his grandsons, Peter and Stephen de Niese, who contributed their talents in cricket to St. Peter’s, I have penned this tribute and hope I’ve got the facts right.

Let me also say that if Old Peterite status could be conferred on someone for the sheer importance of his contribution to St. Peter’s, George de Niese would quality for it.

George’s involvement begins when in the mid 1920s, as the Music and Art Master, he is invited by the then Rector of St. Peter’s, Rev. Fr, Maurice Le Goc and Principal, Rev. Fr. Nicholas Perera to design a Crest and Flag for the School which was to be renamed St. Peter’s College and also to compose the music for a new College Anthem, the words for which were by a South African born Staff member of St. Joseph’s College, T L Minor.

In regard to the creation of the Crest, allow me to quote one grandson of his, Stephen de Niese, ” ℎ , ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ . ℎ ℎ , , ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ , ‘ ’ ( ℎ) ‘ ’ (’ : ℎ). ℎ ℎ ℎ , ℎ , , , ℎ ℎ , ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ , ‘ ℎ ’ ’ ℎ ℎ. ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ, ℎ ℎ ℎ , ℎ. ℎ ℎ , ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ , .”

In paying tribute to George de Niese, in addition to what Stephen says, I feel it a duty cast on me to describe the crest in some detail so the reader can appreciate the creative thinking behind the genius.

The Peterite Crest has the Cross placed right at the top depicting the Catholic/Christian origin and belongingness and the national element is depicted by the two elephants holding up the Cross in a kneeling, worshiping position with trunks raised. St. Peter, the Patron Saint of the school and the belongingness to the Catholic faith was incorporated in his design through the Papal Crown and the two Keys in the top part of the crest. The keys, one silver and the other gold, are placed in a blue background artistically depicting the Colours of the College in the crest and symbolise the keys of heaven given to St. Peter, referred to by Jesus in Matthew 16:19. A picture of the Bible adorns the lower half of the crest declaring in Latin that the Word of God is light “Verbum Dei Lucerna”. Even the two palm leaves on either side of the Bible have meaning and symbolism. They depict the triumphal entry of Christ to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. And, at the bottom is the Motto that guides Peterites “Virtus et Veritas”(Virtus – valor, manliness, excellence, courage, character, and worth, perceived as masculine strengths and Veritas – truth).

I rely on his grandsons, Stephen and Peter’s writings to give you details of George’s life prior to joining St. Peter’s. He had been the Art and Music Master at St. John’s College Jaffna and Trinity College, Kandy for over a decade before moving to St Joseph’s Colombo South which later became, St. Peter’s. Though a much sought after and prizewinning portrait painter, he preferred to remain as Art and Music teacher at St, Peter’s and apart from contributing by creating the Peterite Crest he used his musical talent to create the musical score for the anthem created in 1926 for the renaming of St. Peter’s scheduled for 1927.

He was frequently requested to paint murals in cathedrals and churches across Sri Lanka but despite demands on his time, George also painted a few of the marvellous backdrops for various plays at College and other events. He was also the one who painted the portraits of the first two Rectors that adorn the college hall namely Rev. Frs. Maurice Le Goc and Nicholas Perera.

Let me complete details of his artistic achievements quoting Stephen de Niese (grandson) ” , ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ – . ℎ ℎ 1927 ℎ ℎ ( ℎ) ℎ , ℎℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ.”

George de Niese contributed to St. Peter’s not only through his artistic talents but was a teacher of repute who, and importantly, produced four sons all of whom contributed much to St. Peter’s, each in his own way.

The eldest Paul, was a versatile sportsman, representing College in Cricket, Rugby and Rifle Shooting and Paul de Niese it was who scored the first half century (73) in the Big Match series bringing to a halt the losing streak against the Josephians. This was in the 3rd match in the series, in 1935. Paul’s rugby career spanned eight years from 1932 to 1939 which means that he was there in the very first Peterite Rugby team captained by Lim Bilimoria and when St. Peter’s achieved their first victory which was against Royal in 1934 and also a member of the team that beat Trinity for the first time in 1935. A few years after his College career ended, he sacrificed sports for a nobler cause and was ordained a Catholic Priest in the Jesuit Order in or about 1957.

George de Niese’s second son Louis was also a sportsman of no mean repute. In Cricket he opened the batting for St. Peter’s and represented College in the 1937 and 1938 teams. In Rugby, Louis represented College from 1936 to 1939 and was a proud member of four Peterite Rugby teams out of the five teams that beat Trinity College five years on the trot (1935 to 1939). After leaving school he served in the Customs Department.

Terry, George’s third son was a renowned artist and painted the portraits of four College Rectors, namely Rev. Frs. Basil Wiratunga, Arthur N Fernando, Mervyn Weerakkody and Theodore E Peiris. Terry was the one that his father depended on for assistance in the painting of some of the backdrops for College and he is said to have had a hand in designing and building of the Grotto. A painter of repute whose art works were much in demand commercially, his paintings can also be seen in several churches in Sri Lanka.

The youngest son, Douglas represented College at Cricket and Rugby and was a member of the teams in 1940 and 1941 in both sports at the highest level, 1st XI Cricket and 1st XV Rugby. Douglas is said to have been in the diving team and was known as a graceful diver winning an open diving championship even as a fourteen year old. Like his father, Douglas also taught music at College and was well known for his rich baritone voice. He and his wife Estelle, a talented and well-known soprano contributed immensely to the choir of St. Mary’s Church, Dehiwela, where they resided. He also went on air over Radio Ceylon as a solo artist and at times with his wife. After their migration to Australia, Douglas was elected cantor for the St. Francis’ Church in Melbourne.

Douglas’ contribution to St. Peter’s was not restricted to teaching music but he had all his seven boys (out of his eleven children) attending College. The two elder boys Peter and Stephen (both contributed information to this write up), represented College in cricket.

Peter played from 1963 to 1966 and was a member of the Big Match winning team of 1965. He was also a Prefect in the latter years and the College Head Prefect in his last year (1966). Stephen played in the 1966 team which meant that the brothers played together in several matches and Stephen continued his Cricket for St. Peter’s in 1967.

Peter continued his cricketing career in Sri Lanka after leaving school but I need to mention a little known fact about Peter and that is that while at College he won both the junior and senior singing competitions. No surprises there being the son of a reputed baritone and upon migrating to Australia his attention veered more towards music and he performed in several bands and continues with his music and singing even to date.

Like his brother Peter, Stephen played cricket after leaving school representing the NCC and his employer and continued his cricket in Australia after migrating.

Alan, was another of Douglas’ sons. An artist and singer at heart he followed in his grandfather’s and uncle Terry’s footsteps and painted a portrait of the eighth Rector Rev. Fr. Joe Wickremasinghe which hangs in the College Hall along with his grandfather’s and uncles works. He also completed a portrait of Rev. Fr. Claver Perera (the sixth Rector) but for a private collection. Alan continued his pursuit of art and singing and contributed to the Melbourne Chorale and the Victorian Chorale and does his own radio programme on Opera.

The now famous Danielle de Niese (who performed at St. Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya on Christmas eve last year), is the daughter of another of Douglas’ sons, Christopher. Being the daughter and granddaughter of two extremely talented sopranos, it is a rare treat that those who were able to be at St. Mary’s, Bambalapitiya enjoyed last Christmas eve.

The legacy left by the versatile De Niese generations cannot be allowed to be forgotten and hence even though it was a difficult task to trace information that spans over ninety five years, I decided to take it on and hope that others who have information that can be added or corrections to be made, would respond to me.

Let me conclude this using the motto that George de Niese placed on the Peterite Crest not to use it as a signature statement but to invite virtuous and truthful Peterites not to forget those devoted persons who laboured to establish this great school.

“Virtus et Veritas”

Algi Wijewickrema

The photos include ….