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Maestro Pandith Amaradewa.

 

Pandith W.D. Amaradewa.

 

Sri Lanka's Golden Voice | W D Amaradeva
Sri Lankabhimanya Wannakuwattawaduge Don Albert Perera, better known by his adopted name Pandith Amaradeva, was a prominent Sri Lankan vocalist, violinist, and composer who did an incomparable service to Sri Lankan music by incorporating Sinhala folk music with Indian ragas into his work. Many consider Pandit Amaradeva's contribution to the development of Sinhala music as unmatched; hence, he is occasionally cited as the "Maestro of Sri Lankan Music".

Amaradewa was born on 5 December 1927 as the youngest of seven children of a carpenter, Don Ginoris Perera and Maggie Weslina Mendis, in Koralawella, Moratuwa. He entered Sri Sumangala College Panadura after completing his primary education. He went to  Lucknow, Bhathkande university for higher studies and, in 1955, Amaradewa won the All India violin competition. He was married to Wimala Gunarathne in 1962, who was a teacher. 

Pandith Amaradewa has directed and composed music for many Sri Lankan movies. Below are some examples of them.

  • 1962 - Ranmuthu Duwa.

  • 1963 - Adata Wediya Heta Hodai, Sikuru Tharuwa, Gamperaliya, Getawarayo.

  • 1965 - Sama, La Dalu, Saarawita, Adarayai Karunawai.

  • 1970 - Akkara Paha.

And also, Pandith Amaradewa has granted  more than 200 immortal songs to the Sri Lankan music industry. He was also a unique teacher who gave the spirit of music to his students. Pandith Amaradewa was awarded many times locally and globally for his service to music. He died on 3rd November 2016 due to heart failure at the age of 88. His remains were given state honours at the Independence Memorial Hall for two days, the first time in the country's history that remains were kept at the Independence Memorial Hall. 

Here are some of his awards and occupations:

  • Chancellor of the University of Visual and Performance Art (1947 - 2016).

  • 1986 - President's Award for Kala Keerthi.

  • 1991 - Doctor of Philosophy (Fine Arts)Honoris, University of Kelaniya.

  • 1993 - The Degree of Doctor of Letters (University of Ruhuna ).

  • 1998 - Honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (University of Peradeniya) /                            Deshamanya.

  • 2001 - Philippine Ramon Magsaysay Award.

  • 2002 - Indian Padma Sri Award.

  • 2017 - Sri Lankabhimanya.

So, Pandith Amaradewa is a symbol of Sri Lanka and he is really a model character for Sri Lankans. And I think we should be proud of him and his service to the country. So the name Amaradewa will remain in my heart forever and he is my favourite and model personality in Sri Lanka. 

Source: Wikipedia

W.D.Amaradeva 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 



 

 



 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 



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