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Rohana creates history in Australia
September 3, 2006 will be a milestone in musician, Rohana Weerasinghe's life. Rohana is going to realise a dream of his life, to perform at the world famous Sydney Opera House in Australia.
The historic move comes as 'Rohana Ransara'-Golden Melodies of Rohana Weerasinghe which will be performed by a band of leading vocalists from Sri Lanka who will sing to the musical backing of top ten performers, the cream of Sri Lankan music scene joined by fifteen artistes of the Sydney Youth Orchestra comprising 8 on violinists, 3 on violas, 2 on oboes and 2 on saxophones. "This is a dream that came true as it is an unbelievable opportunity to perform at the world famous Australian icon, Sydney Opera House" said Rohana a quite an unassuming music maker. He has undoubtedly made the most number of tunes for the Sri Lankan vocalists.
Popularly known as a melody master in addition to being a sitarist, singer, an award winning music director for films and teledramas, Rohana has made melodies for almost all the singers in the local music arena. "It was in 2004 I first got on to the Opera House stage for a brief performance of ten minutes. It was part of 'Ridi Reyak' show where I performed with Jayanath Warakagoda, Kamal Addararachchi and Kumari Munasinghe." "It was there that day I thought how nice it would be if I could do a concert there," said Rohana with sparkling eyes and a satisfied smile. Going back to the past, Rohana who was born and bred in coldest Blackpool in Nuwara Eliya, was the youngest in a family of six boys and two girls. "I was quite good at my studies, specially science but to the total disappointment of my parents and all the family members, I selected music for my higher education," said Rohana with a mischievous smile on his face. "Now of course they approve of my decision". Having no approach to any musician in the family circle it was solely Mr. K. V. S. Perera his music teacher who influenced Rohana Weerasinghe to take the daring decision of becoming a musician. Later having studied music at Heywood-College of Fine Arts, Rohana completed Visharadha at the Bathkande music academy in India. It was at Heywood Rohana found his soul-mate Beatrice, a dancing teacher at Royal College, Colombo. "My practical education in music as a sitarist was shaped up while working with music maestros W. D. Ameradeva and Dr. Premasiri Khemadasa" Rohana said remembering to appreciate his mentors gratefully. When asked what the secret behind his unmatchable melodies Rohana said, "I don't give a melody to any singer until I feel satisfied with it. And before creating any of my melodies I study the singer and his voice to choose the style that suits him,". “Musicians I believe should be up-to-date with latest developments in the music scene and should be familiar with many music styles not forgetting to experiment with them bravely.” It is due to these underlying principles that Rohana was able stand unique among many music directors and had become one of the most successful among them. Sri Lankans in Australia as well as foreigners themselves will be able to enjoy the superb music creations of Rohana. Referring to the concert in Australia "thanks go out to Kithsiri Karunaratne, domiciled in Australia who organised and invited us to do the show," Rohana said with gratitude. Asked as to whether he had anymore dreams Rohan said in 1979 a time which I had never thought of coming in such a long journey in music, I saw a concert performed by Lata Mangeskar with the 'Wren Orchestra' at Albert Hall in London. That show I enjoyed greatly and it is still fresh in my memory. "I dream I would have an opportunity to have a concert there," Rohana said.
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