Asoka Indranee Hapugalle:90th Birth Anniversary Tribute

By Kshalini Nonis

As I write this 90th Birthday Tribute to my dearest Aunty Indranee,  I am filled with memories of a truly wonderful person I was privileged and honoured   to know for  many decades,  as her younger daughter Ruvini is one of my dearest childhood friends whom I have known for over 40 years . 

Whilst many knew her as not merely an excellent music teacher who was well known in Sri Lanka and achieved much with numerous accolades I prefer to write about the Aunty Indranee  I knew and had a lasting impression on my life.       

One of my earliest memories of Aunty Indranee was when I would go for Ruvini’s birthday parties at their home in Tichborne Place,  and also when we had ‘spend the days’ there. 

She came from a musical background with her elder daughter Sujeeva Hapugalle being one of Sri Lanka’s best musicians,  and also being well-known internationally with Ruvini and  her daughter Anagi following in her footsteps. She encouraged me a lot with my music and was probably disappointed that I gave it up due to my O/ Ls.    

When I took up Journalism over 30 years ago,  Aunty Indranee was very supportive of my chosen career and would often read my articles and encourage me.  

She was someone who rejoiced with me in my good times and was there for me during the tough ones.  

I recall going for her son Priyanga and Ramani’s wedding, the first one in their family. It was the first time I saw both Aunty Indranee and Uncle Paddy dancing at the reception, probably because they were the parents of the bridegroom!

When their first grandchild Avanti the elder daughter of Priyanga and Ramani was born a few years after,   they were proud and doting  grandparents.

When Uncle Paddy’s office had a get-together in 1995 out of Colombo,  they took some of us who were Ruvini’s classmates along with their family for it. We had a good time staying overnight in a lovely bungalow although we brought the house down by talking and laughing loudly and were up all night!  

When Ruvini married Yukthi many years after that,  Aunty Indranee was a proud mama Although Uncle Paddy passed away a few weeks before the wedding. I had tears in my eyes when Ruvini who made a beautiful bride walked into the reception hall with Priyanga giving her away as a bride.             

She had no bitterness or anger towards anyone and was very humble despite all her achievements. She treated the spouses of her three children as her own. She also got on well with Uncle Paddy’s  relatives whom she considered her own family.  They in turn were fond of Aunty Indranee. 

Despite having to face issues with her health,  especially towards the latter stages in her life,  she

Never complained  and handled it all with grace and dignity. She was looked after very well by her children their spouses and grandchildren.

When Aunty Indranee passed away,  I went for her funeral with my late mother.  We were very sad and upset that Aunty Indranee was no more as she was a very special person to us and someone my late parents and I had a high regard for and respected.      

Even though I do miss her I find consolation  knowing that she is now in a  better place where there is no  suffering and pain.

I am not a great poet or  writer and space does not permit to write  down all I would like to about a truly wonderful person.

So I will simply say:

“ Thank you Aunty Indranee,  for all that you  did for me which I will always remember. Although you  have passed on,  I have  many happy  memories of you that time nor space cannot erase. I will remember you with much love on  your 90th Birth Anniversary  on 5th January 2026.” 

May you Rest in  Peace.