Sunday Times 2
Pinkama in London in memory of Maestro Amaradeva
View(s):A religious ceremony and tribute to the late Dr. Pundit Amaradeva were held at the London Buddhist Vihara on November 11. A large number of the Maestro’s fans from various parts of London and nearby suburbs and members of the Vihara Management Committee attended the pinkama to show their unbounded respect and to honour the peerless service rendered by him to Sri Lankan music, language, literature and culture.
The Sri Lanka government was represented by the High Commissioner Ms. Amari Wijewardene. The Maha Sangha was represented by the resident monks of the vihara headed by Ven. Tawalama Bandula Thera accompanied by Ven. Konwawe Ariya Ratana Thera, Ven. Kalugamuwe Kassapa Thera and the visiting Sangha Nayaka of Canada Ven. Dunupitiye Upananda Thera.
Pinkama in London in memory of Maestro Amaradeva
After welcoming the Sri Lankan High Commissioner and the guests, Ven. Bandula Thera made a brief speech highlighting the more than 65 years of the late Pundit Amaradeva’s contribution to Lankan music and culture. Ven. Kassapa Thera conducted the Pujawa and Pan Wedeema, the act of transferring merits to the departed Pundit Amaradeva by pouring water into a bowl according to Buddhist custom. Speaking on behalf of the Maha Sangha, Ven. Dunupitiye Upananda Thera talked of the unbelievable mastery of the late Pundit Amaradeva in bringing out the musical beauty and the gentle and deeply humane nature of the Sinhala language. Pundit Amaradeva’s death is undoubtedly a great loss to Sri Lanka and to millions of his fans all over the world, he said.
After the pujawa, a ceremony to pay tribute to Pundit Amaradeva was held in the main assembly hall. Starting the special talks, Ven. Konwawe Ariyaratana Thera said that the late Pundit Amaradeva’s musical talents were beyond comparison. Ven. Ariyaratana said that he had the golden opportunity of meeting Pundit Amaradeva and he always appealed to him not only as a musical genius but also as an exemplary human being.
On behalf of the organisers, Dr.Amal Gunasena, Senior Fellow at the University of London, stated that Pundit Amaradeva with his silken voice and exceptionally beautiful musical creations entertained our nation. His ‘Amara Gee Sara’ never fails to enthral and will be deeply embedded in the hearts of millions of people all over the world. Dr. Gunasena further said that the golden milestone of the late Pundit Amaradeva’s musical journey was in 1951 when he first met Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra and the editor of the Lankadipa D.B.Dhanapala. Then known as W.D. Don Albert Perera, he was reciting poems from the Salalihini Sandesa when they were passing though the building where the ballet was being rehearsed. Prof. Sarachchandra was speechless for a few moments after listening to his voice and wanted to meet with him . He instantly recognised the untapped musical talents and creative musical imagery of this young man and with the help of D.B.Dhanapala and the Lankadipa launched a scholarship fund to send him to the world famous Bhathkande Institute of Indian Classical music.
Prof. Sarachchandra also gave W.D. Don Albert Perera a new and an everlasting name ‘Amaradeva’ (immortal god) foreseeing his unimaginable talent and potential. Young Amaradeva studied Indian Classical Music both vocal and instrumental and earned the Vadya Visharad and Sangit Visharad with first class honours from this world famous Institute. His distinguished achievements both as a violinist and vocalist have hitherto been unsurpassed, Dr.Gunasena stated.
Dr. Gunasena highlighting Pundit Amaradeva’s peerless contribution gave a brief sketch of his innovative and novel approach in finding and developing a distinctive national music culture and tradition and how he innovatively mixed the great tradition of Indian classical music with what he believed to be the roots of our traditional Sinhala music heritage –the native Sri Lankan folk songs and rhythm.
Dr. Gunasena concluded his talk with a stanza from the Dhamapada: “A person of great wisdom is seldom found. He is not born everywhere. The country and the nation into which such a person is born is very fortunate’. All gathered there and people in Sri Lanka should feel very proud and meritorious for being born in the country where such a great human being was born and lived and also during his illustrious lifetime, he said.
Dr. Douglas Mulgirigama, Consultant Psychiatrist, gave a short speech describing the exceptional musical talents and righteous qualities of the Maestro Amaradeva. He said that he was very fortunate for having had a golden opportunity to invite Pundit Amaradeva to stay in his house during his visit to the United Kingdom in 1998.
At the concluding part of the ceremony, the Head of the London Buddhist Vihara and the Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera was able to join in time, after a long return journey from Taiwan, where he attended an International Buddhist Conference. Ven. Seelawimala Nayaka Thera said that he was very fortunate to be able to take part in the Pinkama as he personally admired and greatly valued Pundit Amaradeva’s unmatched contribution to Sri Lankan music. Ven. Seelawimala Nayaka Thera, describing the creative talents of the late Pandith Amaradeva wished him to be the greatest wherever he is going to be born and the ultimate cessation of samsara – the bliss of Nibbana.
Dr.Sujatha Gunasena, on behalf of the organisers, expressed her grateful thanks to the Maha Sangha of the Vihara, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner Ms. Amari Wijewardene for readily accepting the invitation to attend and for staying both for the Pinkama and the ceremony and also to everyone who participated and helped in numerous ways.
The Pinkama was organised by Dr. Amal Gunasena and Dr.Sujatha Gunasena with the help of many friends who have been profound and affectionate lovers of the late Mastro’s immortal voice and his unsurpassed mastery of Sri Lankan music.