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True to his name he will always be immortal
The nation bid adieu yesterday to Pandit W.D. Amaradeva, whose State Funeral was held at Independence Square in front of thousands of mourners. They included a host of dignitaries including the country’s President, Prime Minister, fellow artistes and members of the public.Heavy rains had fallen earlier in the day, though the crowds kept coming. By the time funeral proceedings began at 3.30 p.m. there was bright sunshine. The final rites were performed at around5 p.m. after religious observances and speeches in honour of the late artiste. There were condolence messages from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islamic religious leaders. The proceedings included a 17-gun salute by the armed forces.
Expressing his condolences, President Maithripala Sirisena described Pandit Amaradeva as a man for the ages, who awakened the consciousness of a nation. He stressed that Pandit Amaradeva, true to his name, will be immortal despite his death as his legacy would live on through the ages.
He reminisced about his association with the late artiste, which went back 25 years to the time he invited him to impart his musical knowledge to schoolchildren in Polonnaruwa. “He never imposed conditions and accepted my invitation straight away,” the President told the gathering.
The President also pledged to establish a national centre for the arts in the name of the late maestro. He requested Pandit Amaradeva’s fellow artistes to provide guidance to the Government in establishing such a centre.
Mr. Sirisena said the Government chose to hold a state funeral for the artiste at Independence Square as this was the greatest tribute a Government could pay to such an inspiring human being.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe described Pandit Amaradeva as a national treasure. He reminisced about the time Dinesh Gunawardena, Anura Bandaranaike and himself were taught music by Pandit Amaradeva at Royal College Primary. “I would rate his attempts to teach the three of us music as one of his life’s failures,” he quipped.
Pandit Amaradeva was someone who rose to prominence through the new media of those ages, the Prime Minister opined, pointing out that new audiences were exposed to his music via radio, television, cassettes, CDs and then the internet. “The world can now listen to his music on YouTube.”
Professor Sunil Ariyaratne, who headed the funeral committee, praised Pandit Amaradeva as an exceptional Sri Lankan artiste whose greatness will likely remain unparalleled for all time. “All those who came after him more or less followed his footsteps. As such, they are all essentially his children,” he observed.
Prof. Ariyaratne said those who lived in the time of Pandit Amaradeva should consider themselves privileged as those who lived and died before his time or who will be born after his death, were never and will never be able to have the privilege of seeing him in the flesh.
Pandit Amaradeva’s remains were kept at the Independence Square since Friday morning for the public to pay their final respects to the beloved artiste until 3 p.m. yesterday. President Maithripala Sirisena too was among the entourage which brought the late maestro’s remains to Independence Square on Friday, even helping to carry the casket. Large crowds kept streaming in throughout Friday and Saturday to honor one of the country’s most beloved artistes.
Born Wanakkuwatta Waduge Don Albert Perera in 1927, Pandit W.D. Amaradeva would go onto leave an indelible mark on all Sri Lankans through his contribution to music over 60 years. His services earned him both national and international recognition.
The maestro, hailed by many as the doyen of Sinhala music and song, passed away on Thursday at the age of 88 at the Sri Jayewardenepura Teaching Hospital. He had been rushed to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) earlier that morning due to a sudden illness. Many of his fellow artistes who heard the news of his death also arrived at the hospital to convey their sympathies.
A week of national mourning was announced from last Thursday in his honour. National Flags at Government buildings flew at half mast in honor of the veteran musician. All liquor stores, cinemas and meat stalls within the Colombo Municipal limits were closed yesterday in view of the state funeral.
Pix by Indika Handuwala and Gayan Amarasekera
| Special place in the hearts of MaldiviansPandit Amaradeva composed the melody of the Maldives National Anthem, “Gaumii Salaam” in 1972 and the country has expressed sincere condolences at the demise of the Sri Lankan maestro. Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, in his condolence message to President Maithripala Sirisena, stressed that Pandit Amaradewa’s “contribution to the national identity of the Maldives by composing the music for the Maldivian National Anthem in 1972 will be fondly remembered by generations of Maldivians, present and future.” “At this time of national grief, the Government and the people of Maldives join me in extending sincere condolences and profound sympathy to the bereaved members of his family, Your Excellency, the Government and the people of Sri Lanka.” Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives in Sri Lanka, Zahiya Zareer also sent a message to Pandit Amaradeva’s wife and family expressing condolences on behalf of her country. She described him as a “distinguished Sri Lankan maestro and a dear friend of the Maldives.” Meanwhile, the Maldives Government was represented at Pandit Amaradeva’s funeral yesterday by Mohamed Ahamed Waheed, Counsellor at the Embassy of Maldives in Sri Lanka. |