‘Thank you for the music literature’
Multi talented musician, writer on music, painter and electronic expert, Sumathipala Solangaarachchi was recently honoured with a doctorate by the Dharmapala- Olcott Memorial International Research Foundation (DOMIRF) in recognition of his great contributions to music literature.
Solangarachchi was honoured for his literary contribution—his two books “Deshiya Bhavitha Sangeethya Ha Aparadiga Sanghatha” (Local practical music and western chords) and “SwaraMela-Raga” (Notes- Scales-Ragas) which were products of extensive researches both western and eastern music and their theories.
Mr. Solangaraarachchi was conferred the doctoral title ‘Doctor of Music Literature’ by the DOMIRF at a ceremony held at the Public Library Auditorium, Colombo. His latest book ‘Rupavahini Saha Chandrika’, an extensive study on the complex and complicated subject of TV and Satellite TV digital TV technology was also launched on the same day.
Dr. Solangaarachchi, mastered theoretical and practical music systems, study methods through sheer enthusiasm and his deep love for music.
‘ While playing music with musical bands, I studied music by informal and nonformal ways. I understood what aspects of the subject matter that I should rather concentrate on. I did not dis- criminate among systems of music. I respect all the music systems that are in use in this sub continent,” Dr. Solangaarachchi said speaking about how his thirst for music started.
‘My prime interest fell on the North Indian classical music. I also wanted to know about South Indian ‘Karnataka’ music, Local folk music and Western music as well. Selecting the varieties of music, I tried to find appropriate books to study,” he said.
His first music book ‘Deshiya Bhavitha Sangeethaya Ha Aparadiga Sanghata’ (Local practical music and western chords) has become a hot favourite, in a short time.
And his second music book ‘Swara-Mela-Raga’ serves as a supplement for the first one as it expresses the basic knowledge of musical notes and many oriental and western scales. It contains details of North Indian Ragas (Raga Visthara) of more than 280 Ragas. The book reveals the history of Indian music and how the “Karnataka” South Indian music came to light with more than 800 scales (Ragas) of the Karnataka system. This book also presents a directory of Raga names.