True to his name he will always be immortal

Family members, dignitaries and artistes bid farewell to their beloved Pandit Amaradeva

The nation bid adieu yesterday to Pandit W.D. Amaradeva, whose State Funeral was held at Independence Square in front of thousands of mourners. They included a host of dignitaries including the country’s President, Prime Minister, fellow artistes and members of the public.

Heavy rains had fallen earlier in the day, though the crowds kept coming. By the time funeral proceedings began at 3.30 p.m. there was bright sunshine. The final rites were performed at around 5 p.m. after religious observances and speeches in honour of the late artiste. There were condolence messages from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islamic religious leaders. The proceedings included a 17-gun salute by the armed forces.

Expressing his condolences, President Maithripala Sirisena described Pandit Amaradeva as a man for the ages, who awakened the consciousness of a nation. He stressed that Pandit Amaradeva, true to his name, will be immortal despite his death as his legacy would live on through the ages.

He reminisced about his association with the late artiste, which went back 25 years to the time he invited him to impart his musical knowledge to schoolchildren in Polonnaruwa. “He never imposed conditions and accepted my invitation straight away,” the President told the gathering.

The President also pledged to establish a national centre for the arts in the name of the late maestro. He requested Pandit Amaradeva’s fellow artistes to provide guidance to the Government in establishing such a centre.

Mr. Sirisena said the Government chose to hold a state funeral for the artiste at Independence Square as this was the greatest tribute a Government could pay to such an inspiring human being.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe described Pandit Amaradeva as a national treasure. He reminisced about the time Dinesh Gunawardena, Anura Bandaranaike and himself were taught music by Pandit Amaradeva at Royal College Primary. “I would rate his attempts to teach the three of us music as one of his life’s failures,” he quipped.

Pandit Amaradeva was someone who rose to prominence through the new media of those ages, the Prime Minister opined, pointing out that new audiences were exposed to his music via radio, television, cassettes, CDs and then the internet. “The world can now listen to his music on YouTube.”

Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan, whose condolence message was read out at the funeral, said the death of Pandit Amaradeva was a source of sadness to all communities in the island.

“He created an indelible imprint in the hearts of thousands of Sri Lankans, and the void created in the music industry can never be filled,” the message said.

Professor Sunil Ariyaratne, who headed the funeral committee, praised Pandit Amaradeva as an exceptional Sri Lankan artiste whose greatness will likely remain unparalleled for all time. “All those who came after him more or less followed in his footsteps. As such, they are all essentially his children,” he observed.

Prof. Ariyaratne said those who lived in the time of Pandit Amaradeva should consider themselves privileged as those who lived and died before his time or who will be born after his death, were never and will never be able to have the privilege of seeing him in the flesh.

Just before the casket was taken to the funeral pyre, fellow artistes, many of who had trained under Pandit Amaradeva and considered him their inspiration came together to sing one of his most well loved songs, “Sasara Vasana Thuru,” in a solemn musical tribute.

Pandit Amaradeva’s remains were kept at the Independence Square since Friday morning for the public to pay their final respects to the beloved artiste until 3 p.m. yesterday. President Maithripala Sirisena too was among the entourage which brought the late maestro’s remains to Independence Square on Friday, even helping to carry the casket. Large crowds kept streaming in throughout Friday and Saturday to honour one of the country’s most beloved artistes.

Born Wanakkuwatta Waduge Don Albert Perera in 1927, Pandit W.D. Amaradeva would go onto leave an indelible mark on all Sri Lankans through his contribution to music for over 60 years. His services earned him both national and international recognition.

The maestro, hailed by many as the doyen of Sinhala music and song, passed away on Thursday at the age of 88 at the Sri Jayewardenepura Teaching Hospital. He had been rushed to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) earlier that morning due to a sudden illness. Many of his fellow artistes who heard the news of his death also arrived at the hospital to convey their sympathies.

A week of national mourning was announced from last Thursday in his honour. National Flags at Government buildings flew at half mast in honour of the veteran musician. All liquor stores, cinemas and meat stalls within the Colombo Municipal limits were closed yesterday in view of the state funeral.