REMEMBERING ROCKSAMY
30th death anniversary falls on Friday
The 30th death anniversary of gifted yesteryear musician M. K. Rocksamy who made evergreen hits like Madhu Mala Lesa Mudu Mage Priyadara, Piyapath Sala Mama Oba Soya Emi Reye, Ewilla Ewilla Sinhala Avurudda Ewilla, Agada Sagaraye, Jeevana Vila Meda, Menikak Rakina Na Rajindeku Se, Sandehi Sandun Wane, Budu Swamine, Sathuta Soke Jaya Paraje and hundreds of others, falls on November 30.
The much-loved musician Rocksamy became involved in film work after coming into contact with R. Muttuswamy 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 Suhada Sohoyuro (1963), Dheewarayo, Chandali (1964), Sonduru Yuwala, Sekaya (1965), Kapatikama (1966), Ran Rasa (1967), Singithi Surathal (1968), Athma Pooja, Ohoma Hondada (1970), Hara Lakshe (1971), Edath Suraya Adath Suraya (1972), Cyril Malli (1975), Kawuda Raja, Harima Badu Thunak (1976), Sakunthala, Deviyani Oba Kohida (1977), Ponmani, Tikira, Apsara (1978), Kiri Suwanda (1982) and Raththaran Kanda (1985). 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 teacher Sangaralingam at the age of 15. At the age of 14 he was introduced to music director R. A. Chandrasena by his brother Anthonysamy who himself was a musician. There he met R. Muthuswamy too. 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. 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.