Shirley's soothing songs

‘I sing on love for I believe that it is the only everlasting theme that comforts all human beings despite their age barriers’ said Visharadha Shirley Waijayantha making a return to singing after a lapse of a long years.

The early 1980s was not special only to Shirley but generally for the musical history of this country. It was a time when there was an awakening in the new Sri Lankan music culture with the starting of the Youth Services Council. Shirley was the forerunner as well as the guru for a number of young aspiring singers who later made their names in the field of music. For Shirley and for all his pupils there was an identity.

They all represented Belwood Art Institute from where they started their musical careers. And Shirley who was their guru was appointed as the music instructor and on him was bestowed the responsibility to launch a music group for the Youth Services Council which he did. Chandralekha Perera, Chandrasena Hettiarachchi and Somasiri Medagedara who reached the peak in the Sinhala music arena are a few of his pupils.

In 1890 the beautiful Belwood plantation which was famous for its English planter, Stanley Belwood but which soon Shirley was able to make known for the musicians it produced. Shirley himself wrote all his songs and set the music from Belwood music institution and they were warmly welcomed by the audience. The result of his attempt is recognized not only in Sri Lanka but internationally. Sri Lanka Youth Services Council singers won the second place in the international singing competition held in Japan in celebrating the International Youth year.

"We cannot be satisfied with the present musical trends compared to what it was in the past. The present generation have forgotten the importance of music. Instead they try to load us with something that is instant and momentary," complains Shirley when asked as to how he looks at today's musical trends.

"Unfortunately there are many who are responsible for promoting this dangerous musical culture including those who buy them," Shirley complains. However after a long lapse and marking a revival in the musical scene Shirley returned to music and Belwood. He has been appointed as the head of the Belwood Music Institute.

When queried about his long silence, this humble singer said "It was not me but there are many other talented veterans who are silent today and we have to open the door for them first". He admits that the silence of the singers of his generation too affects the promotion of noisy, boisterous sounds dished out to the market as music.

Asked as to why his singing is limited to 'love', Shirley says singers sing on various issues like patriotism, human rights, social revolution and realities of life. But for me it is love that is the most striking and most touching theme.

There were predecessors like Milton Mallawarachchi and H. R. Jothipala who sang mostly on love and their singing we all enjoy even today. And I too have decided to follow this way and I would remain there for the rest of my life".

However in his latest collection of songs he has sung few songs on different theme like mother's love and example of a father. Retuning to singing Shirley will release his newest Compact Disc and Cassette "Ithin Kiyanna Adare Sinasuna Wagei" on November 4 at BMICH with a musical evening with his songs. The collection in the CD and cassette also included sixteen songs of three of his previous work.