REMEMBERING ROCKSAMY
86th birth anniversary falls on Sept. 13
The 86th birth anniversary of exceptional yesteryear musician M. K. Rocksamy who made evergreen hits like Madhu Mala Lesa Mudu, Piyapath Sala, Ewilla Ewilla Sinhala Avurudda Ewilla, Agada Sagaraye, Me Pipasitha Lo Thale, Menikak Rakina Na Rajindeku Se, Sandehi Sandun Wane, Budu Swamine, Sathuta Soke Jaya Paraje, Jeevana wila Meda, Sagare Sihilel, Hadamal Pandure and hundreds of others, falls on September 13. The much-loved music director Rocksamy who passed away on November 30, 1988, became involved in film work after coming into contact with R. Muthuswamy of the Sundera Murugan Studio in Kandana. Rocksamy was asked to contribute to the soundtrack of several films made at the studio beginning with Bandara Nagarayata Pemineema (1952). In 1962, he got the opportunity to play a bigger role directing three songs for Shanthi Kumar’s Sansare after its original music director B. S. Perera died. Rocksamy was in demand as a music director after the success of his work on Sansare. Over the following 25 years he oversaw the soundtracks of several popular Sinhala movies. Rocksamy was born on September 13, 1932 into a family of musicians. His parents played the violin and the harmonium. One of his mother’s favourite songs was ‘Premayen Mana Ranjithe We’ a hit from the classical play Maname’. He studied at Anderson College, Kompanna Veediya and studied Carnatic music under Sangaralingam Master at the age of 15. At 17, Rocksamy decided to give up studies and embark on a career in music and from then onwards he never turned back. Rocksamy married Indrani and they had three children Jeevan Augustin, Anna Radika and Anjala Devika. Jeevan is into music and he plans to release an album comprising his father’s creations soon. The late music maestro M. K. Rocksmay was a much sought after violinist even during his teenage years and it was during this period that he studied Western Music. Rocksamy joined the SLBC’S oriental band in 1953 and later became the leader of the orchestra. But he could not serve for long at the SLBC because of his commitments as music director in several Sinhala films like Sansare, Chandali, Dheewarayo, Ran Rasa, Deviyane Oba Kohida, Sheela, Sekaya and the first Lankan Tamil film ‘Ponmani. He was part of the orchestras which toured several countries representing key national events too. In India he played the violin for several Indian films too, but was also known for his prowess as a good saxophonist. His wife Mrs. Indrani Rocksamy told Impulse that Rocksamy always preferred to make original compositions and disliked borrowing melodies. “He was a very simple man and a highly creative musician who never criticized a fellow musician. He was born on a Wednesday, he married on a Wednesday and he passed away in a dignified manner also on a Wednesday. He has earned his eternal rest with the creator. May his soul rest in peace,” she said.