REMEMBERING RANWALA

REMEMBERING RANWALA

The tenth death anniversary of veteran musician, singer and folk music enthusiast Lionel Ranwala falls tomorrow November 13.

The main interest of Ranwala who was born on November 27, 1939, was Sinhala folk music.

He successfully brought Sinhala folk tunes and melodies to popular Sri Lankan music, preserving their originality.

He studied music at the Punjab University, Chandigarh, India.

The revolutionary character in terms of promoting folk music started his teaching career at Arawwala MMV in 1959 and taught music at several leading schools including Ananda College and Royal College, Colombo. He popularised local music in schools and formed the country’s first school ‘Hevisi’ band at Pannipitiya Dharmapala Vidyalaya in 1964. Ranwala was also a versatile actor and dramatist. One of his most memorable roles came in the first Sinhala opera ‘Depano’ directed by Makuloluwa. He also wrote and directed several children’s dramas. He acted in several teledramas inclduing his last “Rangamadala Samugani”.

He travelled all over the island collecting folk songs for posterity. A staunch defender of indigenous music, he released several cassettes containing experimental folk music, notably ‘Ahase Innavalu’ in 1999. He formed the ‘Thaalama Foundation’ for preserving folk music. “Gama Ahulaggang”, “Me Awurudu Kale” and “Wannam Sawudam” are some of his most famous songs.

His sons Sahan and Chirantha are in touch with arts, but it’s Sahan Ranwala who is particularly carrying forward his father’s goodwork.

Ranwala died on November 13, 2002 at the age of 63.