Views: 23
RAVI Siriwardhana Senior Journalist , Award Winning Lyricist, Poet, Social Critic and Activist of REPUTE-by Sunil Thenabadu
Ravi Siriwardhana had launched his literary career initially as a poet who creates and expresses ideas via poetry using a language to convey emotions, impressions either literally or symbolically A poet could be described as someone who writes poems to long narrative epics. A poet is both a creator and communicator to explore and investigate human experiences, Ravi adds the poem is to listeners’ ears while the song is predominantly to listeners eyes.. Later Ravi turned as a popular lyricist who is described as a writer who creates words for songs crafting stanza that transmit emotions, stories and communications to complement the music melodies
.
Ravi is the third son in the family of brothers all born in Kalubowila area as both parents were attached to government health services which was a transferable service .Father hailed from Matara district, from Paraduwa about six miles beyond Telijjawila while mother also a native of down south ,in Aluthgama .As the parental duo were in a transferable service after the three siblings were born both parents were given transfer orders to a station down south which forced the family to reside in father’s ancestral house in Paraduwa. Ravi has had his initial education in- the first six years at Paraduwa Junior School thereafter had attended St.Thomas’ College Matara .He has had innate talent for lettering poems, which while in his eighth standard had got published in popular Sinhala newspapers originally in Vidusara then in Lankadeepa with his name quoted at end as penned by Ravi Siriwardhana a 8th standard pupil of St.Thomas’ College, Matara, which had made him ecstatic which had given him more motivation for his aptitude which he had evoked at a speech Ravi when in the advanced level class his parents had got transferred back to Colombo when they had dwelled in Piliyandala area.
Ravi during his school tenure had excelled in numerous fields in school while specialised in writing skills had triumphed in many school and all island competitions. The number of awards he won easily foretold his future as a rising star. After he heard a song sung by Krishantha Erandaka ‘Ikmana Novunana Api’ inspired him to become a lyricist already had made a name with his poems published in newspapers. Ravi had wisely preferred to remain in Matara St.Thomas’ College as in a new school it would be difficult for him to get adjusted owing to a new environment. Subsequently, he had entered the hostel at St.Thomas’ College Matara from where he had effortlessly triumphed to enter the University of Colombo . Ravi after admission to the University he sustained his passion of scripting lyrics predominantly for songs. He used to write lyrics for many new songs as for him it had come naturally to him like a duck taking to water. As a young lyricist his aim was to become popular hence, he possessed the routine practice to send by post his song lyrics to many popular vocalists. One day Venerable Rambukkana Siddhartha Thero the prominent lyricist had visited Visharada Malini Bulathsinhala’s residence when among many lyrics of songs she had received wanted the thero to select some worthy eloquent ones. Then he had selected a few of Ravi’s creations saying he is a university student a very skilled young lyric writer who has a great future which the Thero had discovered. The music tracks and compositions of Ravi were completed for her to sing after her return from the tour of the United States. Unfortunately for Ravi, the plan could not be executed owing to her abrupt demise in the United States.
Ravi blossomed his skills in penning poems initially in the early 1990 decade thereafter lyrics for songs After graduation from the University of Colombo Ravi first vocation was as a freelance journalist at the then very popular Ravaya newspaper. Subsequently Ravi was employed by the television channels Swarnavahini and Sirasa as a News Editor. Ravi has had no intentions to do a 8 to 5 employment hence was satisfied in his current vocation as a lyricist., critic and social activist.
In year 1998 Ravi won the Mahagamasekera award for best poem lyricist. In year 1999 Ravi’s first poem book ‘ Nagul Tharuwa’ was released at a relatively young age, which received an award then which instigated him to continue in this vocation.. In year 2001 the poem book ‘Pilisandara’.In year 2002 published a book titled “Lankika Sangeethaye Rohana Lakuna’’ an investigation endeavour elaborating his inspiration on Sri Lankan music of Dr Rohana Weerasinghe jointly published by Ravi and Samudra Wettasinghe.. Then in year 2009 a song book ‘Wasath Kalaya’ for which he received an award at the Island’s literary awards festival ceremony festival ceremony. In year 2017 Ravi published a book titled ‘Pradeepagarayaka Es Belma’ a poetry collection which was published by ‘Ahasa’ Publishers was nominated for the 2019 literary awards at Rajatha Pusthaka and Godage Literary awards in year 2019.This book is recognized as a notable work of Sinhala Poetry published in year 2019 featured in also platforms like EBOOKS
In year 2022 celebrating two decades in his lyricist vocation a book titled ‘Obe Susum Pawan; was released at the BMICH with ‘Obe Susum Pawan’ LIVE in concert. This book was authored by Ruwan Mapalagama presently a Member of Parliament which had included a number of wishes and commentaries by many artistes, lyricists well wishers including the then President.At a television dialog Ravi had stated that he had thoroughly advised his colleague Ruwan not to mention anything about the link of the friendship as there are many valuable significant facts related to meaningful lyrics of his were encompassed for readers to benefit.. .
The compact music discs that were appreciated were Wasath Kalaya Manaram(2009),Millenium Pemwathun (In year 2010 won the award for best compact music disc of the year) ‘Mal Pipila Eda Wagema ( 2015 Re Ahasa Won the State music award for the best compact music disc of the year)The other books published were ‘Pilisandara’,’Nagul Tharuwa’,’Malpipila eda Wagema’, Ivuru Dethata Enna’ Rohana Stamp of Sri Lankan Music. and ‘Nagul Tharuwa’,and ’Pradeepagarayaka Es Belma’ his latest poem award winning book in year 2020 at Literary awards ceremony structured by the cultural ministry. All these have been appreciated by critics on abundant occurrences for his challenging poems with poetic beliefs which touched people possessing cultural backgrounds.
,
It was during the decade of 2010 the name of Ravi Siriwardhana sparkled and glittered winning many awards. In year 2013 the award for the best up and coming vocalist award was won by Dumal Warnakulasuriya for the lyrics of Ravi’s song “Mama Durin Supipennam,Nubata Lanwenu Thahanam,Anun Sathu Uyane Peedila Sethapennam”.It was added by pundits that only a person who understands what authentic love is only someone like Ravi could pen such appropriate lyrics. In year 2014 at the State music Awards ceremony the winner Isura Weerasinghe in Children’s category sang a song comprising lyrics penned by Ravi .In year 2015 Saman Lenin who was then only a novice not such a popular vocalist but still he was adjudicated as the best vocalist of the year at an awards ceremony for a song sung with lyrics penned by Ravi. In the same year the Japanese literary ‘Bunka’ cultural award was snatched by Ravi for penning lyrics for many glaring songs in that year as the most ‘ influenced lyricist. The lyrics that were penned by lyrics were predominantly for high quality cultured classical songs with emotional depth.
Also in year 2015 at the state music awards Ravi was adjudicated as the best lyricist ..In year 2016 his music video ‘Re Ahansa ‘ was adjudicated the winner as the best compact music disc at the State music awards ceremony organized by the cultural ministry . In year 2021 he was awarded from the Japanese government the ‘Bunka’ Cultural award for considering Ravi’s achievements as the most influential lyricist which was a rare achievement for a Sri Lankan lyricist. ‘Bunka cultural’ award is not something one can apply for and win,The organizers do four to five months of proper research on their own to decide the winner , It should be emphasized that songs with his lyrics had been nominated at many award ceremonies like at Sarasaviya award ceremonies .Having achieved the above feats then young Ravi’s flair was articulated in music spheres as one ideal young lyricist to substitute for legendary Rathnasiri Wijesinghe the celebrated lyricist.
Ravi had written many poems and songs particularly wish to recollect the tribute to mother as ‘Kukula Nethi Gedera Elivenawa Nodene’-‘Haraka Nethi Gedera Rewenawa Nodene’, ‘ Balla Nethi Gedera Horu Enawa Nodene’, ‘Amma Nethi Gedera Pana Yanawa Nodene’.
Ravi a native of Paraduwa in Matara district has had his first six years primary education at Paraduwa Junior School; after which at S.Thomas’ College Matara from where he triumphed in the Advanced Level gaining easy entrance to University of Colombo. While in school he had shown an innate aptitude to pen poems, very often the poem verses he posted to newspapers like Vidusara and Lankadeepa which were published snappishly with his name Ravi Siriwardhana a 8th standard pupil of S,Thomas’ Matara stated below his poems which boosted and encouraged him to compile additional poems more importantly to him to enhance his skills and to be well known, familiar and a recognized individual.
To date in Ravi’s virtual career spanning over two decades had scripted over two hundred songs for all senior , current and new vocalists .The first song was ‘Obe Susum Pavan Salai’ sung by Dayan Witharana which was after he had sung over one hundred songs which even to date is a hit played very often on several radio turntables . .Dayan Witharana had named his first song video disc as ‘’obe Susum Pawan Salai’. Ravi’s second song was a duet between for Nelu Adhikari and Dayan Witharana titled ‘’Wasath Kalaya Manaram’, these two songs became popular hits on Frequency Modulated many radio channels in the 2002-2003 years era.
Ravi participated recently in the Swarnavahini channel ‘Ahankara Nagare ‘ where he gave the reason what made him to inscribe lyrics to the song sung by Krishantha Erandaka titled ‘ Rosa Malata Kiyanna Ma Miya Giya Bawa; which was based on a story he witnessed when he was twelve years old when a well-accepted young popular person in his village had committed suicide reason unknown then ,Ravi confessed that in all his creations he is honest to himself he reminisced .Ravi added that all songs cannot be written straight away, sometimes he commences with the middle part or the last lines which takes sometimes a long length of an elasticity to complete. Ravi ‘s most compositions are from his own experiences he reminisced in this program. He is of the belief that all lyricists need to fight with self when compiling lyrics. Ravi says what he had achieved previously he uses as a tool for his future creations. Ravi also adds that the manner of his thinking is different to thinking of others, as we mature our thoughts too elevate to taller heights as when viewing a woman twenty years ago is different to seen a woman currently. The lyrics of the song Maleena sung my Kasun Kalhara for the music creation of Mahesh Vithana described by Ravi the duo as a splendid amalgamation , the song had been written based referring to the film ‘Mareena’ seen by Ravi in year 2001 in which a youngster falls in love with woman elder to him the amazing romance observed was made into lyrics by Ravi. He believes if anyone who possesses this type of romance will not get old would remain young. In this particular song according to the film, it is the female who provokes and rouses the male the romance, which in real life is exactly the contrasting. While remarking on this song Ravi emphasized in western countries when a partner meets a divorced counterpart he or she greets the previous partner at least asking how are you doing, which our Sri Lankan counterparts lack this excellence., remain silent ignoring the previous loved partner. Ravi also emphasized that when two are married the duo should realise either is not permanently belonged to one another which is the philosophy and culture in native Sri Lanka In this program the duet song ‘Wasath Kalaya Manaram’ was sung by novice singer Yashoda Priyadarshini with a male singer. The story of this song as related by Ravi added the melody had been made when Dayan Witharana had notified him in desperation as the recording was fixed in three days’ time but the original lyricist had severely let him down. By listening to the melody only carefully Ravi was able to pen the mandatory lyrics to coincide with the music melody. The story revolves around after a broken love affair, the male partner requests the ex girl friend to re commence the wrecked affair which she rubbishes saying to him stay far away according to the compassionateness, morals and values. Another song of Ravi selected was ‘Premaye Muniwariya’ sung by Dumal Warnakulasuriya to the music melody of Kasun Kalhara, as usual Kasun had taken a few nights which is his typical mode .The lyrics were based on the woman who is the stronger even in sexual activity unlike the feeble men as she could resist many challenges dissimilar to men who are reflected delicate and feeble. Ravi needed to express by words the superior intensity of the woman with his lyrics in this song. The song sung by Karunaratne Divulganage ‘Amma Kenek Birindak Wela’. Ravi reminisced as a song with meaningful lyrics that is etched to his mind.This was Rav’s own familiarity of a girl whom he loved had married is now a mother which is a common manifestation to many. This type of lyric undoubtedly proves that. All lyrics penned by Ravi are much more expressive and superior in evaluation to those of other lyricists which was added.at this program Ravi concluded adding life is a huge ‘kavi pothak’ ,men do give-up while the stronger women are enormously persistent and persevering do not give up at any cost.
In the good old days to get the famous cassette producers like ‘Sing Lanka’. Nilwala’ and ‘Torana’. to select songs was a difficult perspective but these two songs above were snatched by them instantaneously under their labels. Ravi always thought of compiling lyrics in a retrospect manner in order to vocalists and listeners to prefer them. The more popular he became the challenge to him was to keep the characteristic of his lyrics to be miscellaneous over the lyrics of others also with disparities over the lyrics of others, this behaviour was after years of self-study. The song ’Kavurunda Oba Mage’ was sung by himself originally sung by Sunil Edirisinghe which adequately evidence Ravi’s vocal forte.
To name the senior artistes who had sung to his lyrics are Visharada Nanda Malini,Edward Jayakody,Sunil Edirisinghe, Amarasiri Pieris, Karunarathna Divulgane,Deepika Priyadarshini, TM Jayaratne, Victor Ratnayake, Somathilaka Jayamaha,Mihindu Ariyaratne -the next generation consists of Dayan Vitharana, Krishantha Erandaka,Kasun Kalhara,Amal Perera etc then the present young generation of singers like Uresha Ravihari,Dumal Wanakulasuriya,Harshana Dissanayake,Ru
Roony, Nadeeka Jayawardena Nirosha Virajini, for the new vocalists like Nuwandhika Senaratne.Ashka Kulatunga. Many of Ravi’s songs with his lyrics are sung at abundant of concerts .Altogether Ravi had contributed lyrics to about seventy vocalists both male and female. Lately he used a few Japanese words and cultural backgrounds for new conceptions with lyrics as ‘Devundara Sa Nidanna’ sung by legendary Nanda Malini and ‘Noriko Sa Nidiyanna’ sung by Amal Perera..His work has not been limited to Sinhalese literature and music industries alone but going beyond he is invited to participate in many television dialogues as a responsible citizen as an expert social guest guiding people with his immense knowledge he possesses. Accordingly inviting Ravi for varied miscellaneous television programs frequent invited to name just a few as guests in popular SLRC program ‘Sihinayaki Re’,Charana TV Kivi 10 TA Gee10 songs, Next Level Unedited. in which had participated in a number of programs , Kavirida Oba Mage,Gee Rasavindana, lately Ahankara Nagare in Swarnavahini etc,
… .
Ravi Siriwardhana with his proven record having won many awards in his literary journey spanning nearly three decades is now a household name. Unfortunately in Sri Lanka’s frequency modulated radio channels and state run radio the names of singers and lyricists are not made known to listeners .However in some television programs the names of artistes, lyrics writer and musician are made known. But as Ravi is involved in several areas of art his name is well known as perhaps the most sought after lyricist, critic, social activist and program presenter who possess rare talent for turning raw emotion to widespread narratives. Ravi’s lyrics tells more than a story with every word carrying weight providing a sanctuary for the heart. The words he uses to turn emotions to universal descriptions concentrating on the precision , depth and poetic fantasy is beyond acceptance. All his followers and well-wishers will no doubt wish him strength to achieve more to unprecedented tall elevations more sore song lyrics in his journey as a lyricist , critic and social activist. He could be contacted on e mail ravi.siriwardhana@gmail.com, whatsapp +94777748175
SUNIL THENABADU in BRISBANE EMAIL sthenabadu@hotmail.com WhatsApp 0061444533242
