Asian Musical Renderings from the Highest Realms: Two Aficianados in Conversation-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis Somasiri Devendra, whose title in this item in The Ceylankan, 24/4: November 2022, is “A long, long way from the Bagpipes”…. with highlighting imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi Last month, when I began a personal tribute to Barbara Sansoni, recalling how I first met her: “I was the only unmarried officer, in our ‘ship’ in Diyatalawa – Her Majesty’s Ceylon Ship “Rangalla” – living in solitary splendour in the Wardroom (the Officers’ Mess). That made me the official host to visiting dignitaries……”  I was reminded of meeting, at the very same Wardroom, another cultural icon of the times, Rev.Fr. Marcelline Jayakodi OMI. That Wardroom was, then, a spacious, gracious house, perched on the tip of a spur, looking down on the plain below. The location, silence, peace and tranquility charmed all those who visited us. I was privileged to live there. We ...

Read More →

Patrick Denipitiya the music maestro, icon, the musician who has contributed most to native Sri Lankan music having revolutionised our music for over three decades – by Sunil Thenabadu Patrick Denipitiya was born into a family with ten children in Kotahena. His parents were Coronalis Denipitiya, a railway station master and Mary Simona ,née Fernando housewife. His siblings were named Sunny, Benedict, Paul, Andrew, Anne, Edward, Anton, Bertram, and Milton. Patrick had studied at St Benedict’s College, Colombo initially and finally at St. Aloysius’ College in Galle as his father was stationed in Galle. While at St Benedict’s College been a very bright student  had even taught junior students in mathematics under a ‘banyan’ tree within the school location. Patrick had been a very bright student in class his father had wanted him to become a doctor, had even gained admission to the medical college having bought him all compulsory ...

Read More →

PLA SOMAPALA UNDISPUTED KING OF MUSIC, REVOLUTIONARISED MUSIC RENDERED AN UNIQUE INFLUENCE TO NATIVE SRI LANKA – by Sunil Thenabadu Image source : facebook Peragaswatte Liyana Acharige Somapala (13 September 1921 – 26 March 1991 Actively involved with music between years 1940 – 1991, popularly known as  P. L. A. Somapala was a Sri Lankan singer, musician and playback singer dominating as a musician in gramophone ,radio, films and television eras, triumphant in musical instruments sitar and violin. His music genres extensively wide-ranging from pop,soul, Hindustani classical music and Indian classical music  One of the earliest pillars in Sinhala classical songs, Somapala made several contributions to early Sinhala cinema as a playback singer and music director along with his wife Chithra Somapala who has had vast singing expertise who could be easily classified alongside Ruckmani Devi, Latha , Sujatha and Anjeline.  PLA as often reminisced was born on 13 September 1921 in Maligakanda, Comombo ...

Read More →

Dr Ravindra  Randeniya autographed eminent iconic actor conquered silver screen for over five decades – by Sunil Thenabadu photo Source : info-rain.com Boniface Liyanage Walter Perera now Dr Ravindra Randeniya born on 5th June 1945 second in a family of six siblings, hailed initially from Sapugaskanda his maternal home close to Dalugama where he now residing in. It was a small village filled with paddy fields and watercourses, Ravindra who appreciated highly even to date, with nature growing up often preferring in looking over the flora and habitat. Father LP Perera a renowned businessman who manufactured hardware fittings,accessories like brass hinges for doors and windows, a booming lucrative business entity. Ravindra Randeniya was recently awarded a doctorate considering his immense contribution to the field of arts and cinema in Sri Lanka by the Chancellor of the Visual and Performing Arts University.   For education had initially attended the Kindergarten at St Francis Maha Vidyalaya in ...

Read More →