‘Naththal Tharumal’: A shepherd's gift for Christmas

A good shepherd to his congregation and guide for the youth in universities, Rev. Fr. Edmund Tillekeratne's contribution to church music in Sri Lanka is immense. His multi talented creative roles as a lyricist, composer and music director is aptly proved with the latest release of Christmas songs- ‘Naththal Tharumal’.

Sung by a combination of veteran and popular singers to the music composition of Fr. Tillekeratne, the collection marks a juncture in the country's church singing for Christmas. Breaking away from traditional carols that venerate the beauty of nature and customs related to Christmas, the songs "Naththal Tharumal" brings deep theological messages which hints at the real meaning of Christmas.

For example the hymn "Dehemiyawa" sung by Nirosha Virajinee conveys that Christ was born to bring back the acceptance and respect for humanity."God became a man in order to uplift humanity but we find that the real meaning of this great event in the history of mankind is hardly understood by the people," says Fr. Tillekeratne who is also in charge of Catholic youth organizations in the universities.

In another hymn 'Denetha Wasannata Awasara Nehe' written by Fr. Thilakaratne hints that people have misinterpreted the meaning of Christmas and it is limited to merry making."Christmas is not limited to the Christmas tree, crib and other symbols. Some of these are connected to the commercialized nature of this great event and we have to liberate Christmas from this trend," opines Fr. Thilakaratne.

The group of singers who had contributed with their voices are Ivor Denis, Gratien Ananda, Indrani Perera, Anil Barathi, Mariazelle Gunathilake, Rev. Fr, Ruwanthana, Nirosha Virajini, and Chandana Liyanarachchi, all are very much in demand in the Sri Lankan music scene. Veteran musician Rohana Weerasinghe has directed the music for the collection.

Music mixing is by Prasantha Fernando and lyrics for the few songs are being written by Rev. Fr. Sriyananda and Viyan Fernando. The CDs and cassette are available at Catholic bookshops, St' Anthony's shrine at Kochchikade, Basilica Tewatte and other churches. Copies also could be obtained by contacting on 0112658268.

Among the other musical directions of Rev. Fr. Tillekeratne, 'Pahan Ridama' is an instrumental comprising Christian meditative music which has filled the much needed void in meditative music. Analysing the music in 'Pahan Ridma', a psychologist practicing in Australia Dr. J. Romuald Hapuarachchi says Fr. Tillekeratne's Pahan Ridma gives rise to a new genre of Sri Lankan Christian music that would facilitate the process of intimacy between God and man in prayer, praise and worship.

Commenting from a health and wellbeing perspective as the physical and spiritual benefits of Fr. Tillekeratne's music he says the listeners of Pahan Ridma are enabled to enter into an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity that is conducive for prayer and reflection, creating receptivity in the hearts and minds of the believers to spiritual realities.

The collection may not fall neatly into the conventional classification as relaxation music, however, it is important to understand what 'relaxing melodies' found in the collection is capable of doing to the listeners at a deeper level.

Ordained as a priest, Fr. Tillekeratne has excelled in music as well as in teaching. Served at Ragama parish for a short while, he first took up teaching at St Peter’s College, Wellawatte. Having graduated in theology, Fr. Tillekeratne completed his Masters in Philosophy and had followed a course in Philosophy in Science at London School of Economics.

Guiding the youth who are going to be educated future generation, Fr. Tillekeratne is also the chaplain of Catholic University Students Movement in Colombo diocese which includes university of Colombo, Kelaniya, Moratuwa and Jayawardenapura. As student in the seminary, he was deeply involved in music and some of the melodies he made for hymns are very much in use in church . Guitarist, flutist and graduated as Visharadha in violin Fr. Tillekeratne has an exceptional talent for composing.