Remembering ROCKSAMY

The 24th death anniversary of outstanding yester-year musician M. K. Rocksamy who made soothing melodies for evergreen songs like Madhu Mala Lesa Mudu Mage Priyadara, Piyapath Sala Mama Oba Soya Emi Reye, Ewilla Ewilla Sinhala Avurudda Ewilla, Sathuta Soke Jaya Paraje, Jeevana Vila Meda, Agaada Sagaraye, Me Pipasitha Lo Thale, Menikak Rakina Na Rajindeku Se, Sandehi Sandun Wane, Budu Swamine and hundreds of others will fall on Friday, November 30.

The exceptionally talented musician became involved in film work after coming in contact with R. Muthuswamy of the Sundera Murugan Studio in Kandana. Rocksamy was asked to contribute to the soundtracks 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 in Sansare. In the following 25 years he oversaw the soundtracks for Suhada Sohoyuro (1963), Dheewarayo, Chandali (1964), Sonduru Yuwala, Sekaya (1965), Kapatikama (1966), Ran Rasa (1967), Singithi Surathal (1968), Athma Puja, Ohoma Hondada (1970), Hara Lakshe (1971), Edath Suraya Adath Suraya (1972), Siril Malli (1975), Kawuda Raja, Harim Badu Thunak (1976), Sakunthala, Deviyani Oba Koheda (1977), Ponmani, Tikira, Apsara (1978), Kiri Suwada (1982) and Raththaran Kanda (1985).

Rocksamy was born on September 13, 1932 to a musical family. All members of his family were musicians. His parents played the violin and the serpina. 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 music under 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.

- Ramesh