News
Veda Karana Ape Viruwa: From Campaign hit to anthem of broken promises
As a long line of vehicles wait for fuel at a filling station in Galle, two young men, one with guitar in hand, start singing the first few lines of “Veda Karana Ape Viruwa” (The Hero Who Delivers). Some of the motorists waiting in line can barely keep a straight face. The video of the two young men soon goes viral on video sharing social networking app TikTok. It is one of many such videos in recent days that have mercilessly parodied then Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s wildly popular campaign song from 2019.
As a political campaign song, Veda Karana Ape Viruwa’s popularity is unmatched. Slickly produced, with a catchy beat and upbeat lyrics, it became an instant hit. It continued to be popular even after the election that Mr Rajapaksa won handsomely. It was even played in social gatherings such as parties. Over the past months however, as the country’s disastrous economic crisis went from bad to worse, the song has become a symbol of broken promises and a target of public mockery. The ridicule directed at the song is by extension, also directed at the President himself.
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- Tehani Imara (Singer)
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- Screen grab from a viral video parody of the popular campaign song
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- Pasan Liyanage (Music Producer)
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- Chathula Indrachapa (Singer)
In recent days, the song has also been played over videos of fights breaking out at filling stations as tempers boil over due to the country’s crippling fuel shortage. Meanwhile, the soaring prices of goods have prompted some to refer to the President as “Vadi Karana Ape Viruwa” (The Hero Who Increases) – a play on words of the song’s original title.
The number of videos parodying the song and ridiculing it even led to reports claiming that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had been ordered to investigate those involved in such acts. Senior Police Media Spokesman, Senior DIG Ajith Rohana claimed ignorance of such an order when questioned by the media but police have so far not clarified about such an investigation. Nevertheless, there have been no incidents to date of police questioning those who had parodied the song.
Yet that did not prevent Opposition MPs from raising issue. Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahuman recently referred to the song in Parliament. “Today, we know that the song that is most listened to in this country is Veda Karana Ape Viruwa. I don’t think even Yohani’s Menike Mage Hithe has been played as often. Most people listen to the song while waiting in queues,” he quipped.
Referring to reports of the CID targeting those parodying the song, Mr Rahuman said such a thing has never before happened in the country.
Meanwhile, those behind the original song say they have no issue with people parodying it but insist it is unfair to target the creators of the song for abuse simply because of their involvement.
“This was not the first theme song I did for a political campaign,” said music producer Pasan Liyanage, who produced Veda Karana Ape Viruwa. His mother Malini Liyanage wrote the lyrics to the song. Pasan runs a production company that does radio and television commercials. He has done music for a number of hit songs over the years. Pasan has also done songs for various political parties during previous elections and did some political theme songs at the subsequent parliamentary elections that followed the 2019 presidential election, he said. “But this was by far the biggest hit. The song soared in popularity, especially with the President’s victory. It even went to Number 1 on iTunes, which was the first time that a political campaign song achieved such a feat. Consequently, my reputation also grew.”
Pasan has been subjected to a good deal of ribbing from friends over his song given recent events. He however, argues that any serious abuse is unwarranted. “He (Gotabaya Rajapaksa) was my client. For me, it’s not a question of whether I believe in the person or not. What matters to me is the end product. Only by doing my job to the fullest can I maintain my reputation in the industry.”
It doesn’t matter to Pasan how many times the song is parodied today because as far as he is concerned, he did his job to the fullest. “It is only because we did it so well that we see so many posts and parodies of the song even today.”
He sees the irony of the song being played in queues given that he himself has had to spend long hours in queues in recent days waiting for petrol and gas.
He is also strongly against any attempt to target those who parody the song or make covers of it. “As an artiste, I firmly believe in people’s right to creative expression,” he added.
“I think the song’s popularity speaks for itself,” said singer Chathula Indrachapa, who did the lead vocals on the song. “People imitate my voice also and I’m recognized as the singer of that song. What is happening now (with the parodies and videos) also increases my popularity.”
When becoming involved in a political campaign song, an artiste has to understand that if the country undergoes a good period, reaction to the song would remain positive. If the situation goes bad, as it has done now, the reaction would turn overwhelmingly negative. “I went into this knowing full well that both outcomes are possible.”
Chathula too has faced backlash over his role in the song, but is unfazed. “Those who know me understand that I was only doing a song. None of them has taken issue with me over that. Others can say anything. That is their right. Anyway, if people say that a song persuaded them to vote for a person rather than his policies, then the problem lies not with the candidate but those who voted for him,” he claimed.
“It’s a song. I think it’s stupid that people are blaming those behind it because we did our part as artistes. If the politicians are not doing their part it is not the fault of us as artistes,” said singer Tehani Imara, who sang backup vocals on the song with Chathula.
Tehani claims she has been constantly targeted for cyber bullying, along with threatening and abusive phone calls as well as messages. “There is a lot of hate directed our way on a daily basis.”
Part of the abuse stems from Tehani’s involvement with the Government. In 2020, she was appointed as a Director of the National Youth Council by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Namal Rajapaksa. She still serves in the post. Certain brands were reluctant to work with her soon after her appointment since she was politically inclined. But many others had no such reservations, she added.
“We get some needling from friends in the industry who bring up the song and ask questions like “Den Sepada?” but that has mostly been it concerning those in the industry,” she revealed.
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