IRENE – HEMASRI FROM BLOOM TO GLOOM
In a harmonious career spanning more than five decades, Irene de Alwis has stamped her mark as a songstress who had reached the top through sheer dedication and commitment. Her husband Hemasri de Alwis has also made an equally noteworthy mark as a lyricist. She sang songs like Desa Pa Sina Kiyana Rahasa Theruna while he wrote songs like Sandehi Sandun Wane, Srini Vibushitha Lanka Bebale, Oba Soyana Kalu Kella Mamai and hundreds of others.
Impulse first spoke to Irene de Alwis at their humble abode in Moratuwella.
HOW DID YOU YOUR MUSIC CAREER BEGIN?
My career span exceeds five decades. I first sang in a Radio Ceylon amateur programme. Veteran yester year actor Piyadasa Gunasekara was my uncle. His brother was a good singer. I must have inherited that talent. I studied at Clifton Balika Vidyalaya. Renowned musician R. A. Chandrasena and his wife taught at this school. It is they who encouraged me to pursue a career in music.
MEMORIES OF YOUR EARLIEST SONGS…?
My first song ‘Dakumen Balumata Maga Paada’ was penned by Cyril A. Seelawimala. It was a duet with Denipitiya. Then I sang ‘Adareta Nedda Loke Adare’ with Maurice Dahanayake. Then I sang more than 500 songs including duets with Mohideen Baig, H. R. Jothipala, Betram Denipitiya, Milton Perera, Victor Rathnayake and others. Most of my songs were penned by my husband Hemasri de Alwis who also penned my most popular song ‘Desa Pa Sina Kiyana Rahasa Theruna’ which was set to tune by Premalal Danwatte of the Navy band.
YOUR FAMILY?
My husband Hemasri has been my biggest strength. My two sons Samantha and Sanjaya are married. My youngest son who can sing well plays the organ for a musical group. I ask the young generation to be modest and work in harmony with everybody.
HAVE YOU RELEASED CASSETTES AND CDS?
Most of my songs were sung at the Radio Ceylon. Recently I released a CD for Vesak comprising Buddhist devotional songs which were penned by my husband Hemasri de Alwis. The CD was produced by Dr. Indrani Pushpani. Prior to that, we released cassettes which had some of my popular songs.
Hemasri de Alwis also gained exposure at Radio Ceylon by joining Karunaratne Abeysekara’s ‘Lama Pitiya’. Inspired by Karu Ayya he started to write lyrics, focusing on Hindi melodies earlier. He has so far penned more than 4000 songs for almost all popular singers, and among them are hits like Sreeni Vibushitha Lanka Bebale, Hima Bima Palana Surinde, Sandehi Sandun Wane, Wasanawantha Kala Laba Jeewithe Adaren Piree Giya, Dunukeiya Malaka Wage Durata Penenawa, Oya Hada Pathala Aami, Oba Soyana Kalu Kella Mamai, Mage Dese Kandulu Thawa Desaka Sathutu Kandulu We and several others.
But this couple, who made significant contributions to the local music industry, is today living almost isolated in a small rented out house at Moratuwella in Moratuwa. They sang and wrote for the people of this country, but today they have only each other for them. Their children are married and living separately. The monthly house rent is paid by Ransilu Chief Ranjith Premalal. Victor Wijewardana and Dr. Nimal Weerakoon also help them during times of need especially for their medications.