Amaradeva sings in Japan tomorrow

DR. PANDIT W.D. Amaradeva, the erudite musician and esteemed, and celebrated musician, vocalist, violinist, composer of music and winner of the Ramon Magsaysay award and pride of Sri Lanka will perform at the Women's College Hall in Minato Ward, Tokyo tomorrow.

Amaradeva will sing six songs accompanied by an orchestra made up of violin, tabla, guitar, organ and flute. Three other vocalists will sing contemporary Sri Lankan songs.

The concert is organised by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Japan with the assistance of the Japanese Foundation and co-sponsored by SriLankan Airlines and Used Vehicle Exporters SSH Japan.

Amaradeva won a name for him in South Asia for his contribution to the development of Sinhala music. His pioneering efforts in blending indigenous folk music with contemporary musical traditions and traditional North Indian classical Ragadhari music, developed and formed a musical tradition with national identity, to call it our own.

His services as the nation's leading musician of the day, has been very much valued and appreciated. He had won a number of awards all throughout his life. This stands as proof of esteem shown by those who love him and care for him.

The winning of the internationally acclaimed unique laurel of Magsaysay from the Philippines, the highest accolade of Bharatha Padhma Sri from India are two examples to show how much the region, the world cherish and treasure his services to the field of music.

Amaradeva as Albert Perera of yesteryear began his music career in 1947 and won recognition with the passage of time as an innovative and versatile artist at a very young age.

He received training in classical music at the Bhathkande Institute of Music in Lucknow, India and was a visionary who tread the path of those who had gone before him searching the national identity of our own music.

WIRUMA