Tribute to a Golden Voice – Pandit Amaradeva felicitation

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One cannot help listening to his deep, melodious voice in awe, which is almost like an antidote to sooth and calm one’s mind and takes out all that stress and pressure, and gives one a blissful feeling of relief.

It is because of this reason that he’s referred to as “Helaye maha gaandharwaraya.’’ 

He represents the culture, heritage and the rich Sri Lankan history, and is the icon or the symbol of traditional Sri Lankan classical music. It is for this reason that the Amaradeva Foundation has decided to honour this great man of all times, Dr. W.D. Amaradeva, for dedicating his whole life to nurture and uplift the Sri Lankan music industry, in an era where the Sri Lankan music industry is being invaded by meaningless and corrupted music. 

A press conference was held recently at the BMICH Committee Room, to brief the media and public about this special event taking place at the BMICH from 5th- 8th December. 

The event is organised by the Amaradeva Foundation. The Amaradeva felicitation festival consists of “Sasara wasana thuru- maestro Amaradeva concerts , Classical resonance concert, with the participation of world renowned Indian and Sri Lankan musicians. Two workshops, (Tabla and Sitar) conducted by two veteran Indian musicians, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee and Shri Purbayan Chatterjee . The concerts will be held at the BMICH and the workshops will be held at the Indian Cultural Centre.  The purpose of the Amaradeva Foundation organising this event is to provide high standard music for Sri Lankan music lovers, also preserve Pandit Amaradeva’s work for the future generations. At the same time it will help upcoming musicians by offering scholarships and learning opportunities. This will be a great opportunity for those who want to be recognised by showing their inborn skills and talents. 

This is going to be a rare treat for the Amaradeva fans as well as Sri Lankan classical music lovers. The show will be compered by Saman Athaudahetti and music direction by Sarath Alwis.

 Known by his birth name, W.D. Albert Perera was born on December 05, 1927 in Koralawella, Moratuwa. Encouraged by his innate talents at the age of 8 years his father, a carpenter by profession, hand crafted a violin of his own and gifted it to this future musical brain.

Pandit Amaradeva has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Philippine Ramon Magsaysay Award (2001), Indian Padma Sri Award and Sri Lankan President’s Award of Kala Keerthi in 1986 and Deshamanya Award in 1998. In 2003 the French government awarded him the prestigious honour Chevalier. 

Notably he still remains the most popular artiste as confirmed by Nielsen Media Research findings. He has also represented Sri Lanka in many forums including the UNESCO 1967 Manila Symposium.

In 1972, Pandit Amaradeva composed the music for the Maldivian National Anthem (Gaumii Salaam) at the request of the Maldivian Government. 
In his notable career, Pandit Amaradeva stands as a colossus in contemporary the Sri Lankan music. 

His shadow has been cast over the preservation of Sri Lankan classical music scene throughout for the past six decades and without a doubt Pandit Amaradeva’s contribution to the development of Sinhala music is unmatched. 

The other artistes who will take part in this festival are; Ravibhandu Vidyapathi, Upula Madhushanka, Aruna Siriwardene and Rakhitha Wickramarathne to name a few. 

Pandit Anindo Chatterjee and Shri Purbayan Chatterjee are two veteran musicians from India, who are especially joining in from India to add more glamour and rhythm to the concerts and workshops.


 

The Amaradeva Foundation’s 3rd edition of classical musical workshop including the two workshops, are to be held and conducted by Pandit Anindo Chatterjee and Purbayan Chatterjee, the foundation said in a media release. It said:  “The foundation is honoured and privileged to have these two eminent artistes to conduct workshops in their specialised areas in Tabla and Sitar respectively. The Amaradeva Foundation’s key objective by organising Classical Music workshops is to enhance the knowledge of our students by giving them the opportunity to experience quality music and meet veteran artistes in the world. The workshop will be conducted for three days and the workshops are conducted free of charge. Music students (graduates, undergraduates, teachers and school students) can send their application to the postal address below or email. A limited number of seats are available and participants will be selected through applications.

Pandit Anindo Chatterjee

Anindo Chatterjee is one of the most eminent and recognised table players in India. He got the inspiration to take up the tabla through his uncle, Sitar player Pandit Biswanth Chatterjee, when he was just four years old. 

At the age of five, he was All India Radio’s youngest artiste. 

At six, Anindo became a disciple of Padmabhushan Gyan Prakash Ghosh and studied under him for over thirty years, which ran simultaneously with his extensive international concert career. 

Gyan Prakash Ghosh was well known for his immense knowledge of all table gharanas, as well as his own Farukhabad gharana. Anindo also studied at the Lucknow Tablagharana with Ustad Ahfaq Hussain Khan.

Anindo has a seemingly endless list of achievements: In 1990 he became the first tabla player to perform in the House of Commons. 
In 2003 the President of India crowned him with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi award. 

The All India Critics Association adjudged him as the ‘Best Performer of the Year 1997’ and at the tender age of 16, the Government of India recognised his prodigious talent by awarding him the ‘gold medal’ in the All India Radio Music Competition.




Shri Purbayan Chatterjee

Purbayan is recognised as one of the most accomplished Sitar players of the younger generation. 

Born in 1976, he started learning music as a child from his father, Partha Chatterjee, a disciple of late Sitar maestro Nikhil Banerjee as well as Sarod maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. 

Purbayan is currently receiving talim (Training and instruction) from Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. From the age of nine, Purbayan started giving public performances and at 17, he received the President’s Award for being the best instrumental musician in the All India Radio music competition.  In 1996 he performed in Great Britain and Germany, and in 1997, he had a very successful concert tour in the U.S.A. Since then he has performed in probably every major music conference in India.



Ravibandu Vidyapathi

Ravibandu Vidyapathi needs no introduction; he is a highly praised Sri Lankan drummer, dancer and choreographer. 

Ravibandu, who was trained from childhood in traditional Sri Lankan dance forms by guru Chitrasena, later travelled to India to the Kerala Kala Mandalam, where he received a rigorous formal training in the Kathak dance form. 

Upon his return, he established his own dance school, The Ravibandu-Samanthi Narthayathanaya, with his wife Samanthi, also a dancer and dance teacher. 
He created the form of the Short Ballet, and has choreographed and danced in several critically acclaimed dance pieces which combine both the traditional and the contemporary – such as For the Young Killed in War, and Judas. 

As a drummer, he has explored and experimented with the various aspects of drumming and drum composition widely, and has created new dimensions for traditional drums and drum rhythms.

The Indian Classical music workshops (sitar and tabla) referred to as Sangeeth Sadhana, will be conducted at the Indian Cultural Centre from December, 6th to 8th 9.00 a.m. to 5 p.m.