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Kala Korner - by Dee Cee

The trio's effort is refreshing
When Nanda Malini announces a new collection of songs, it's something worth waiting for. Andaheray, comprising 16 new songs, is refreshing, entertaining and novel. It is very much in tune with the publicity blitz featuring the trio - Nanda Malini, lyricist Sunil Ariyaratne and musician Rohana Weerasinghe. Sunil's lyrics are simple but forceful. Rohana's lilting melodies are pleasing, so is Nanda Malini's voice.

The CD begins with a beautiful song about the bees. The varied themes range from Taj Mahal to learning English. Some are hard hitting like Monawa karamuda api (What shall we do?) that exposes what's going on around us and poses the question, whether we should cry or laugh. The call to learn English - Igena ganta lesi ne has a tinge of sarcasm while Obath Mamath (You and I) is a fine example of words being used sparingly, yet effectively. With the opening line Ahasa yatath, polova pitath - Kavuru nethath, obath mamat, the rest follows in the same vein.

The homage paid by the trio to Anagarika Dharmapala is timely. It is a reminder to everyone that this great Sri Lankan should be remembered and the inclusion of his voice on and off adds to the national fervour the song creates. My choice in the collection is Nogeyu geethaya (The song that was not sung). I liked the words, the rhythm and, of course, the singing. This is a song done to a fast beat, with much meaning.

Andaheraya has a good mix of these and the use of digital music may have helped in getting it right. Rohana proves himself a fine partner to Nanda on the duets. Nanda launches a new collection every year. And now she ties up the event with the Book Fair. It was Punchi Sindu last year - songs for children.

A versatile artiste
Meeting Dharmasiri Gamage, the soft-spoken, veteran writer was always a pleasant experience. The last occasion we had a long chat together was when I met him to collect a picture for my book, 'The Great Revival', a little over a year ago. I was anxiously looking for a picture of Ayodya temple and knew he would be able to help me as he had just returned from a trip to Thailand and had written a feature for the Silumina. He obliged promptly.

Dharmasiri never failed to exchange a few words when he spotted people known to him at any function, mainly book launches or cultural events. If he was not the presenter on these occasions, he would be a keen listener.

Though well known as a journalist, lyric writer and filmmaker, he became a household name to large TV audiences with his regular appearances on the small screen with presentations on music and musicians. His newspaper articles on travel and environment were also popular with the Sinhala reader, who found them easy reading and well illustrated.

He also gained popularity among the public for his songs. Ammawarune sung by Nanda Malini was possibly the best known though there were many more. He was a Presidential and Sarasaviya award winner for the film songs he wrote.

As a journalist, he moved over from Lankadipa to the Sinhala publications at Lake House and on retirement contributed regularly to the Silumina. He continued writing till he breathed his last, quite unexpectedly last Sunday.

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