Clarence legendary continues with Neelesh
View(s):Twenty three years after the pop star’s untimely demise, Clarence Wijewardane’s music still resonates with his fans and his legacy is reflected not only all over the country but also internationally.
He was truly one of God’s gifts to Sri Lanka. There is a reason why so many people say that he is the most talented and the greatest musician in Sri Lanka, because even at this very moment someone somewhere, definitely is either listening to his songs or playing his songs or may even be planning some way or something to celebrate his life. In every possible way, he still lives on.
Clarence was known to be capable of composing the most beautiful melodies and arranging chords without the aid of any instrument.
His achievements as a song writer are still undefeated, he could express his or someone else’s emotions in such a way that people felt his words, they touched everyone’s hearts. His singing while playing beautiful rhythm patterns is still a conversation starter among old and young generations’ said Neelesh Silva, singer, musician, a fan and a keen follower of Clarence and his legendary music.
The commemoration song for Clarence ‘Kivindanani’ and ‘Dalada Himi Bendi Pooja Obatath Himiwei Raja’, a song about Raja Elephant of Dalada Maligawa were launched on 9th December, 2019 on Rupavahini.
‘Dalada Himi Bendi Pooja Obatath Himiwei Raja’ was penned by Clarence himself almost twenty four years ago, proves the music style of the legend still continues to hit the scene. There are several songs penned by Clarence are still not released, but looking for a proper voice to do the needful.
In his time, he composed a large quantity of songs for almost every artiste in his era and some of his songs are yet to be launched even after 23 years of his death.
Neelesh Silva
‘A song to Raja Elephant of Dalada Maligawa is a beautiful song written by Clarence. It truly is a miracle to have some of his songs still after 23 years. It is a very special song written in 1993 as a tribute to the Great Elephant Raja and is now ready to be published’ Neelesh said.
Luckey Deva composed two songs for Neelesh ‘Hamuwanna Awe’ that he sang with Shenya Mendis and ‘Oba Ma’ with Surani De Mel. Then ‘ Ajith Silva called me from Kandana when he listened to ‘Kivindanani’ and later turned out to be one of my good friends.
After writing the song it was given to Neranjan Wijerathne, the former Diyawadana Nilame of Dalada Maligawa, by Clarence himself in 1995 as a tribute to Raja. After singer’s untimely demise, Neranjan Wijerathne was looking for a person to sing the song written by legend Clarence.
Ajith Silva, another keen follower of Clarence and his music and a friend of Neelesh made possible him to meet Neranjan Wijerathne through Laxman Wijesiri, a friend of Ajith and Diyawadana Nilame.
‘Mr. Laxman Wijesiri brought me and Ajith Silva, another keen follower of Clarence to ‘Meeduma Walawwa’ in Rambukkana and he offered me the song. Nilame wanted the song completely done in legendary Clarence’s style and also to use only the instruments used by Clarence himself’ Neelesh explained the drama of his dream.
The song is completely composed with the chords arranged by the legend Clarence, without using any instrument as he couldn’t find a guitar in the office at Dalada Maligawa premises.
Neelesh and Ajith Silva with Neranjan Wijerathne, the former Diyawadana Nilame
‘During my school days I learnt to play the box guitar as I loved his songs. The very first song I practiced was ‘Malata Bambareku se’ and then Dileepa, Sihina lowak, Dilhanii, Kimadanawe followed by almost all of his songs’ he said.
‘On the 13th of December 1996, when I heard of his untimely demise, I was shocked and was devastated to know that we’ve lost a true artiste and an amazing human being. It was a great loss for our country and its music industry.
On the very same day my wife wrote ‘Kivindanani” as a tribute song for him. But I couldn’t compose a melody soon but somehow managed to do it in 2010, after 14 years of writing that song.
Even though I sang it, I was not very happy with the outcome as I saw that something was missing.
I truly believed that the only way this song would be perfect was if I use the sweet voice of another angel and Mrs. Indrani Perera fulfilled the lacked part and now it’s ready to be launched in my Tribute Album for Legend Clarance Wijewardane in 2020’ he added.
The recording team includes, audio recording engineer -Udara Marien Fernando at Udara Fernando Studio. Drums – Lakshan Fernando, Bass Guitar– Sahan Silva, lead and rhythm Guitar – Neluke Wijesuriya, keyboards – UdaraMarien Fernando, harmony – Ajith Silva, mixing and mastering – Vinod Melpitiya and Video Editing – Sampath Hasaranga