Call me Amare, says maestro

By D.C. Ranatunga

It was no easy task getting through to Amaradeva on the telephone ever since the news reached Sri Lanka. Well-wishers around the country were trying to congratulate him. He plans to leave for Manila on August 27 to receive the award at a ceremony to be held the next day.

Professor Ediriweera Sarachchandra with whom Amaradeva worked closely won the Award for literature in 1988. The other Sri Lankans include L.T. P. Manjusri, Dr A. T. Ariyaratne and Father Marcelline Jayakody.

The prestigious award is given in honour of the famous Philippine President Ramon Magsasay (1907-1957). He led the anti-Japanese guerillas in Luzon, the northernmost city in the Philippines during World War II. As defence secretary (1950-53), he defeated the Huk communist guerillas and was President of the Philippines from 1953 - 57.

Awards and rewards are nothing strange to Amaradeva. Ever since he obtained the degree of 'Sangeeth Visharadh' (vocal) and 'Vadya Visharadh' (instrumental - violin) from Bhatkande, he has been our foremost musician - singer, violinist, music composer and director. Developing his own style, his contribution to the progress of Sinhala music has been enormous. 

For his "extraordinary inborn talent, a capacity of selfless effort, intense commitment and charming humility", he was recognised by the Peradeniya University in 1999 with the conferment of the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (D Litt). 

Earlier, the Kelaniya University conferred the degree of Doctor of Philosophy - Fine Arts in 1991 and the University of Ruhuna, a D Litt in 1993. He was the first Sri Lankan to be honoured by the Bhatkande Institute of Music with the title 'Pandith' in recognition of his outstanding contribution towards the development of music in Sri Lanka.

With all these titles before (and after) his name, when he was once asked how he should be called, he reminded that he was still 'plain and simple Amaradeva' . "Call me Amare," he said.

Open up to the future

The system, he notes, is environmentally more conducive as it not only saves space when compared to the old system of having cubicles, but also utilizes it better. "Earlier, a person had a table, chair and three more chairs opposite him for visitors, not to mention separate computer rooms. All this has been integrated into a single 'module' or enclosure at which each worker is seated. 

"Today this is possible because offices have what is called intelligent communication, either through intercom or internal e-mail system so there is no need for people to meet face to face," Mr. Wickremasinghe explains. 

The open plan system though often favoured by the decision making hierarchy doesn't always go down well with the co-worker for the simple reason that they lose their privacy in open work-stations, being constantly under the boss's eye. "The bosses get lucky having their privacy about them." Though in rooms with glass walls, the manager's privacy is ensured with the use of tinted or frosted glass. 

For large scale meetings these offices include a number of meeting and interview rooms so discussions or brain storming sessions are conducted in this area of the office instead of the old system of co-workers crowding around the table of the head of division. The conference rooms are partitioned to the top and hence there is less likelihood of the sound causing disturbance in the office, contrary to the past where the noise of discussions in one cubicle (with a midway partition) wafted through to the other. 

Flexibility is another plus. Modules can be dismantled, removed, moved, refixed, and thereby office interiors can be changed and remodelled. Also each module has its own PC, table lamp etc. which allows for easier wiring system, made possible through grooves in the floor. 

This is in contrast to the false floor adopted in the past in computer rooms to accommodate the cables and wires needed for the computers. "This was a double expense," says Mr. Wickremasinghe, " and one that has been done away with. As implementing it for an expansive work area is impractical and unnecessary in today's era of PCs and now, everyone carries his own cable." 

Flexibility comes not only in the form of convenience but also in aspects of creativity. Modules in offices are personal spaces designed especially to accommodate the views of the user. Thus be it the inspirational verse, cuddly teddy or colourful photos of one's family, the little touches all add personality to one's niche in the office. 

Creativity-wise it affords the use of lots of colour. "The carpet, chairs, tables, modules can be in different colours," says Mr. Wickremasinghe. 

However when it comes to colour coding, it's a personal choice," he comments. "Colour can be used according to the atmosphere the office intends to create." Most often it is used to liven up the environment so that the workers feel more alive and sprightly.

"At times the use of colour can even come through necessity," says Mr. Wickremasinghe explaining that offices with less light need to be brightened up and offices with added light could be subdued.

Colour essentially jazzes up an office and should be used more as a feature or a highlight. But Mr. Wickremasinghe is of the view that a carnival of colour can be too distracting. "Very bright colours are not conducive for offices." Fortunately though, even the most subtle shades are available thanks to the master palette. 

Some offices take the safe course by strictly adhering to their corporate colours. Banks, for instance, take this option in keeping with their standard identity of stability. "They have standard design guidelines incorporated in a manual which we have to adhere to when designing for their interiors," Mr Wickremasinghe said.

Showrooms and restaurants, however, always enjoy an interior that is original. "Clients travel a lot and they have been to different offices around the world so they have a very good idea about what they want in theirs." The 'in' thing today is to have an interior with lots of plants. "We integrate plants into the design because they give balance and breathe life into the interior."

Today making a dream interior a reality is possible with the innumerable materials available in the market. "Laminates, MDF board, plywood, fibre glass, wood and steel are versatile materials commonly used for re-doing offices," said Mr. Wickremasinghe. 

"Stainless steel is often seen in the offices of the Chairman or Managing Director. That too can be stainless steel with a satin finish, stainless steel with a bronze tint etc." The choice is unlimited when it comes to light fittings and even flooring; there are furry carpets, coir, tiles etc. to choose from. 

Nevertheless the function of the office, the professional standing of the person occupying it are taken into consideration when decorating interiors. 

Not surprisingly, these finishes come at a price. 

"The budget is important," Mr. Wickremasinghe stresses. Modules in the open plan system of work stations can be constructed fast but do not come cheap. "Once the budget is known we are in a position to ascertain what sort of material can be used." 

Describing one of his projects, the Ceylon Tobacco Company, a store that was converted into an office, Mr. Wickremasinghe says the offices had been decorated in keeping with the company's multinational identity. 

"We tried to create both an interior and exterior by incorporating a water aspect and lots of plants into the interior. Both the inside and the outside were interrelated in such a way that those working enjoyed the best of both worlds. "A good view not only provides quality to the interior but also enhances your work." 

Mr. Wickremasinghe was of the view that the open plan system will be overtaken in the future by the "smart concept" which will propel the office into a world of high technology. 

Here everything is electronically controlled. "You press a button and the blinds are drawn. You can program the air conditioner to be on by the time you walk into office and that too to suit the temperature you require. There are fire alarms that automatically go off, etc. "Judging by the speed at which everything is changing, we may find ourselves using it sooner than later.

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