Celebrating Surya Sena’s musical endeavour with the Sinhala Liturgy
View(s):Baddegama, a peaceful, picturesque village was the inspiration for Devar Surya Sena’s musical setting to the Sinhala Liturgy.
Vox One: Bringing Surya Sena’s vision to life
Surya Sena, collector and connoisseur of genuine Sinhala folk songs, also a creative artist, was convinced by Rev. Lakdasa de Mel to compose a Sinhalese setting (melody) for it. A challenge made by a priest to a layman.
He read and re-read the Sinhala Liturgy aloud, and as he did so, wisps of melody came floating to his ears – he noted them down, and inspiration came effortlessly for sung parts of the Communion Service from the Kyries onwards.
He wrote: “The majestic theme of the Gajaga Vannama seemed to fit the Sanctus; a suggestion of the Boatman’s Song – Sivpada tune seemed just right for the Agnus Dei. Bit by bit themes for each part of the service up to the Gloria were given to me. I was merely a channel. Some unseen power seemed to be directing.”
A few months later, after the choir of Christ Church, Baddegama had learnt this setting, it was sung on a Sunday morning. Surya Sena was present. The accompaniment was supplied by oriental instruments only: tamburas, dilrubas, drums, talampata. History in Sinhala worship was made that day. It was 1932.
An old man dressed in cloth and coat, hair combed back and tied in a knot, with a light in his eye, commented: “Eh sangeitaya ahunama mage papuwa davillenda patangaththa”. (“when I heard that music my heart began to burn,”)
At the end of the service, people came out of the Church beaming with joy.
On Sunday, March 1, 2015, the second Sunday in Lent, Rev. Dr. Roderick Campbell, welcomed his congregation to worship at St. Andrew’s Scots Kirk, Colombo.
The Trustees of the Devar Surya Sena Trust, had presented him with a unique gift – an original copy of the Sinhala choral setting of the Ceylon Liturgy, hoping that it would be possible to incorporate it into the usual English service. This time it was the layperson challenging the priest – to bring to life again Surya Sena’s vision of bridging Western and Eastern music into a harmonious service where, music would unite when words divide.
Surya Sena would surely have been delighted to be present at this service amongst a congregation drawn from all corners of our globe – from India, Pakistan, Japan and China, Australia, Africa, Scotland, England and America, a congregation of Christians, Buddhists, and Hindus, raising their voices with the choir.
The choir Vox One, under the direction of Harin Amirthanathan, sang sections from the setting of the Communion Service with grace and elegance. The haunting melodies were echoed on the pipe organ, and tabla and talampota provided the traditional touch.
The choir kept it simple and sang in the proper Sinhala manner without anglicising and was very careful about the overall balance maintaining pitch throughout. A muted organ accompaniment was added to unify the service adapting it to a cosmopolitan congregation.
The Kyrie – Swaminwahansa karuna kalamanawa was chanted by Harin Amirthanathan – Baritone, with reverence and the choir responded in harmony setting a spiritual tone throughout the service.
The verses of the Hymn for Ceylon sung consecutively in Sinhala, Tamil and English, accompanied by organ, tabla and talampota were incredibly moving.
Savithri Rodrigo in appreciation wrote: “It was a unique service… the regular communion service at St. Andrew’s was transformed into a highly spiritual experience.”