Devotional songs ring out in one voice
Music has the ability to bring our minds to an inspirational state through its soothing sounds. Whether we chant Buddha gathas, seth pirith and stanzas; sing Christian hymns; offer Hindu prayers to the Gods and mantrams as well as Islamic preachings, it is a kind of application of music used to calm the minds and purify the hearts of disciples.
In Buddhist devotional songs, composers have used melodious sounds of nature such as the chirping of birds, the wind and rustling of leaves to propagate the Buddha Dhamma (the preaching of the Buddha). Buddhist devotional songs also have a long history of prominence in various ceremonies including weddings, and other important occasions. Thus they play an integral role in common socio -cultural practices.
To create awareness on the contribution made by non-Buddhist singers towards the revival of the Buddhist devotional song culture in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Media and Information conducted a Vesak musical extravaganza titled “Vesange Maha Geetha Govindaya” at the Sirima Bandaranaike Memorial Hall in Colombo on May 28 before a packed audience of all religious faiths.
The idea was mooted by Media Ministry Secretary Dr. Charitha Herath on the directions of Minister Keheliya Rambukwella to strengthen harmony among all communities. Many meaningful lyrics composed and recited by Buddhist devotees are included in Pali literature. Even though they mainly focused on awakening of peace and providing Dhamma advice, they were aesthetically pleasing, he pointed out.
Eighteen Buddhist devotional songs were sung by Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Catholic and Christian vocalists representing the solidarity of cultures in the country, at the concert with music by veteran Music Director Rohana Weerasinghe. The 87-year-old doyen of Sinhala classical music, Pundit Dr. W.D. Amaradeva opened the show with “Paramitha bala Pooritha Poojitha Buddha Diwaakarayano” written by veteran journalist, poet , lyrics writer, Sinhala Pali and Sanskrit scholar, the late Sri Chandrarathna Manawasingha for the film “Ranmuthu Duwa” in 1962.
Many Muslim singers have sung their hearts out in delivering Buddhist songs and this show was yet another classic example of their commitment. Buddhist songs of Ahamed Mohideen, A.J. Kareem and A.R.M. Abrahim were presented to the audience by well known singers Chandana Liyanaarachchi, Udaya Sri and Kavisha Kaviraj keeping the audience spellbound with their passionate singing.
Ishak Baig sang his father, the late Mohideen Baig’s most popular Buddhist song “Buddhan Saranan Gachchami” written by versatile lyrics writer and popular radio announcer, the late Karunaratne Abeysekera.
Popular singer Nirosha Virajini, held the attention of the audience with “Siri Buddha Gaya Vihara” popularised by Rukmani Devi, the ‘Nightingale of Sri Lanka’ who incidentally was a devout Catholic. Latha Walpola and her son Amith Walpola sang a Buddhist song “Budu Rashmi Vihide Sammbudu Siripade” as a duet. It was originally sung by Latha (herself) and Haroon Lanthra in1954.
Vincent de Paul Peiris displayed his dynamic style even at 89, singing his most popular song “Siri Pade Samanala Kanda Penei”.
Champa Kalhari, Nelu Adikari, Himantha Heshan, Chandrasena Hettiarchchi, Bachi Susan, Supriya Abeysekera, Erandi Dahanayake, Athula Adikari, and Suriyakumar Muththalage were the other singers, who sang the popular Buddhist songs of P.G Krishnaweni, Rukmani Devi, A.M.U.Raj, Haroon Lanthra, Shelton Perera, Wasantha Sandanayake, Morris Dahanayake, and M.B. Joharsha.
The curtain came down with veteran vocalist Sunil Edirisinghe singing his own song “Yoma Budu Netha Kulunine Wadinu Mena Nidukanane”. This spoke of an invitation to Lord Buddha to visit the world looking at the plight of all human beings with compassion.
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