MANOJ PEIRIS

the lovable star tunesmith

Distinguished music director Manoj Peiris who is one of the most sought-after men in the local music scene, is a busy man with his involvement in music direction in live shows, reality shows and television segments. Visharada Manoj Peiris is so unassuming that he never talks about the honorary titles, awards and tokens of appreciation he has received in his tuneful career. He has received the titles of Desha Mamaka, Kala Shoori, Lalitha Kala Shoori and Desha Bandu bestowed by the Chief Prelates of the three Nikayas of the Maha Sangha. He was appointed as a whole island Justice of the Peace (JP) more than 17 years ago when W. J. M. Lokubandara was Justice Minister.manoj is the youngest in a family of talented artistes. His elder sisters are Malkanthi Nandasiri, Niranjala Sarojini, Nirmala Ranatunga, Sakuntha Peiris who don’t need special introduction. His older brother Kumar Peiris is the only one not involved in music.

“In my family, we had great personalities or giants, if I may call them. One is Sangeeth Nipun Prof. Sanath Nandasiri who is a university chancellor too. The others were renowned music personalities Abeywardana Balasuriya and Wijayarathna Ranatunga. The three giants were my brothers in law. Being Catholics, we were exposed to music in the church. My father was veteran journalist Harrison Peiris who was an editor of the Catholic Messenger and my mother was a music enthusiast. But Prof. Sanath Nandasiri is my music guru. He was the biggest influence in my musical career. I gratefully recall the support given by my sister Malkanthi for my education and other matters,” said Manoj who first joined the SLBC orchestra in 1986 – one year after passing his Visharada degree. “I was part of orchestras in the early ITN and Rupavahini programmes under the late PLA Somapala. I remember buying my own tabla with the money I got after playing for a Bakthi Gee programme organised by the late Prof. P. V. Nandasiri. But I was ousted from the SLBC in 1993 on charges of taking unauthorized leave. In fact I had gone on a musical tour with Lata Walpola and Jagath Wickremasinghe to Australia. This paved the way for me to tour 42 countries with 38 singers. Ranging from Nanda Malini, Amaradeva Master to even newcomers, I have made foreign trips and played under veterans like Rohana Weerasinghe. Ironically I was destined to join the SLBC again after 12 years as a member of the Board of Directors. In addition I played in the orchestras directed by veterans like Patrick Denipitiya, Stanley Peiris, Sarath Dassanayake and even Premasiri Khemadasa. All my achievements came through hard work, commitment and dedication.”

ANY UNFORGETTABLE INCIDENTS THAT LINGER IN YOUR MEMORIES?

There are many. I instantly recall playing for the last show of legendary singer H. R. Jothipala at the Gam Udawa show. We were checking the sound balance of the May Day musical show at the Galle Face when we heard the devastating news about the assassination of the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa. Then again when I was touring the US with Athula and Samitha, we were held up there for 20 days due to the 9/11 twin tower attacks.

YOU ALSO DIRECT MUSIC FOR CONCERTS?

Well I direct music for concerts of Sri Lanka’s topmost artistes and even the new generation singers, ranging from Victor Ratnayake, Sunil Edirisinghe to Umariya and Shanuka. I have also released several CDS including my own musical creations for top artistes. In addition I directed music for films directed by Rodney Vidanapathirana and Keerthi Bandara.

“Prof. Sanath Nandasiri is my music guru. He was the biggest influence in my musical career”

YOU SEEM TO BE THE ONLY MUSICIAN TO HAVE DIRECTED MUSIC IN ALMOST ALL TV CHANNELS?

Though I started off as an orchestra member, I climbed the ladder and directed music in several leading channels. On Rupavahini I did Rhythm Chat (produced by Prasanna Hettiarachchi and Ajith Jayaweera) and Miyuru Kalpana which were extremely popular. I also did the Rupavahini anniversary shows. On ITN I am the music director for the award winning programmes ‘Sanhinda’ and ‘Nomiyena Sihinaya’ by Udaya Tennekoon and I direct music for the ever popular ‘Chat and Music’ for the past 15 years. I am the music director of the ‘Little Star’ and ‘Champion Star’ Derana children’s reality programmes and I am thankful for the support extended by Sharmila Tharmarasa. I did Swarna Warna Gee for Swarnavahini in addition to programmes on Sirasa, Buddhist channel, TNL (ASP Peduru Party and 40 plus) and Siyatha TV’S ‘7 Notes’ for which I am thankful to its chairman and also to CEO Anura Siriwardana. On PEO TV’S Charana channel I direct the music for ‘Gee Bana Maduwa’ on Poya day hosted by Vajira Jayawardana.”