Raju Bandara a prodigious musician cum singer bids adieu at 65 after battling with Kidney issue-by Sunil Thenabadu
Prodigious musician and vocalist Raju Bandara bid adieu at the age of sixty five years after battling with a kidney issue yesterday,
Behind all the songs and music that we hear, there are some untold stories. Stories of those musicians who dedicated their lives to music. Stories of each of their career paths are identified by only them, just like their palm prints. In a competitive and saturated industry like music, one needs a lot of luck to thrive. What are the qualities behind the success of famous musicians? .Raju Bandara is one who thrived in this industry for over four decades having commenced music while still a school boy at Kegalu Maha vidyalaya.In the annals of history of musical careers there had been no stable income when one start to embark upon this path.Many commence music as a passion but to transform passion into a career is a path of a struggle. Like Raju Bandara complete dedication and hard work is the only way to stardom and to be successful. The foremost characteristics needed to be successful are confidence, practice, ,modesty ,perseverance, not giving up which are possessed by Raju Bandara.
Raju was born on 14th April 1960 has innate talent with hereditary music affiliations from family with mother brother and uncle are all accomplished musical prodigies Raju Bandara had commenced his music career while still a student in 1980 at Kegalu Maha Vidyalaya having inherited music through hereditary affiliations as mother late Chandra Bandara ( who sang the duet “Hada gee Pothe” with Raju) renowned musician brother Mahinda and uncle Premanath Kodituwakku the famous tubla exponent. Raju was a prominent member of a band, a lead guitarist with innate flair created with his colleagues named “Dark Shadows”. After his school career joined with his compatriot Rookantha Gunatilleke forming a western band named as “Nayagra” based in Kurunegala gathering skill as novices.After a successful performance in a concert, the duo moved to Habarana forming a western band playing in hotels which was a lucrative endeavour. The band productively survived for 2 ½ years from which the members of the band acquired a great skill while playing, singing, and harmonizing. The members of the band comprised of Jeremy on drums, Chitral on base,Asitha on rhythm guitar, Rookantha on keyboards and Raju himself on lead guitar. The experience gathered was enormous though still not to professional heights Raju recollects.. After playing at Habarana village the band members had come to Kandy had been a bit of sought-after been invited frequently to play for weddings,parties and bookings ,though the band was unnamed at which time both Raju and Rookantha had not been trademarked as professional musicians. During the tenure at the Habarana village knowledgeable musician Jaliya Ranathunga has had ties with the band had wanted to do a cassette with the band having been persuaded with their performances.
Photo :Source:songhub.lk
While in Kandy the duo had happened to meet Clerence Wijewardena by sheer quirk, who had told Raju and Rookantha by calling them privately had confessed that this is not a place conducive to your talents wanted the duo to come Colombo when he has had plans to form a new band “Madhara”.The players included were Rookantha on keyboard, Clerence on rhythm, Mariyazel also on keyboards, John on drums, Kenneth on base and Raju on lead guitar.The band was invited to play at a dance in London which they performed to admiration. After magnificently performing had got another opportunity to play in a concert in France which was in year 1985..Rookantha had not participated as he was heavily involved in his” Bambarapahasa’ series
endeavour for which Raju also had rendered a massive service as a player.. Raju Bandara had given up music after his marriage had joined Hotel Ramada in the accounts division to everyone’s amazement.
However before long legendary musician Stanley Peiris perhaps knowing Raju’s talent had invited him to join his band “Fortunes” which was at the helm of fame.During that era Keerthi Pasquel had been a prominent member playing lead guitar which compelled Raju to play double lead with the duo contributing massively in vocals and harmonizing .During this time ‘Fortunes’ band was a pursued band by many for cassette recordings under the able leadership of Stanley Peiris. After Keerthi Pasquel left ‘Fortunes” responsibilities for Raju instantly became greater having had to play as base guitarist.
During this period a number of players of “Fortunes” bank left to USA privately perhaps in search of greener pastures to which Raju did not consent perhaps as he was employed at Hotel Ramada. The opportunity arose for Raju to sing as a solo singer which he did for his own cassette “Dese” containing just four songs. Subsequently was enticed to another cassette “Vil Dese” which contained six songs with a couple of English numbers which were hits then. .Unfortunately the two cassettes did not become sell outs simply were not hits.After a couple of years the members who visited USA returned.In year 1993 produced the CD which was produced in Germany “Man adare ran seenu” which was incidentally the CD to be fashioned outside Sri lanka.This became an instant hit thereby the name of Raju Bandara originated to blossom.This period was precisely the spell Raju commenced his singing career proper.
Simultaneously Raju was invited along with Jagath Wickremasinghe by Gunadasa Kapuge as a base guitarist for his music recitals in Australia which was a massive opportunity as Raju also could sing and harmonize. Subsequently for Rookantha Gunatilleke’s “Roo Sanda re” Raju was an obvious insertion as a player and vocals.
During this period Raju had visited all countries where passionate Sri Lankan music fraternities were domiciled. To name some of the countries toured were USA,England,Germany,Denmark, Italy ,Sweden etc, Raju has lamented that during these tours it was not plane sailing or cum a walk in the park but had to navigate over intricate concerns mostly on visa issues..This was the time of Raju’s life which he affirms earned money to construct his dwelling and acquiring a vehicle, This period was in the early decade of 2010. During Raju’s peak in life he had acted in a tele drama on the insistence of a produce and director in which he had been nominated for an award for “best up and coming actor” which Raju proudly claims is also an achievement for a novice.
Raju Bandara is a very prominent personality invited to many television and radio FM channels.When invited he as a routine always obliges. Very often seen on programs like “Chat N Music”,Hitha Illana Tharu”,”Copy Chat”, travelling all the way from Kegalle and returning home as a habit as he needs the environment surrounding his dwelling which is extremely conducive to his living. Though Raju had taken part in programs in many television channels he had appeared abundantly in the Derana television stream, Some of the programs that come to writers mind are “Waya Gee Waya’.” Cassette Eka”, “Acoustica unlimited”,” Star Challenge”, “MA Novena Mama” where he had to sing songs of other vocalists which as a talented vocalist he performed with comfort. In addition to the cassettes produced stated above has to his name more cassettes like “ Raju Handara’s hondama gee’.”Rosa mal Kumari” produced by Derana etc..
Raju Bandra is an accomplished musician,composer and vocalist who has immense confidence,modesty and the most importantly patience, never to give up sans fulfillment. Of his most popular songs the writer believes are “Ma adare mulu lovatath wada” , the duet with Mother Chandra Bandara “Hada gee pothe pituwak era”,Ahase Polowe daskam pe” etc the list goes on .Some songs are appended at the end of the article. His music knowledge is enormous as such he was elected to the adjudicators panel is Sirasa Super Stars reality competitions in season two and three.
Raju Bandara is unassuming down to earth person possessing an unique characteristic always willing to help others. He had confessed he is not into politics but via his PR and affiliations he helps anyone who seeks help ,an utterance not heard from many.He even conducts music classes for destitute children which all in Kegalle area are aware of. During a past dialogue Raju confesses that he had been into music in the past, in the contemporary era will continue it in the same vein in the future too while his motto helping others remains dominantly in forefront. His loss is a huge loss to his students and music colleagues. May his Soul Lie Softly below the Turf
SUNIL THENABADU in Brisbane email sthenabadu@hotmail.com WhatsApp 0061444533242
