Clarence Wijewardena
Clarence Wijewardena |
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Clarence Wijewardane (August 3, 1943 – December 13, 1996) is a legendary Sri Lankan musician, who pioneered the use of electric guitar in Sinhala music. He is said to have revolutionized Sri Lankan music in the 1960s and is often named as the father of Sri Lankan pop music - having influenced performers in ranging from Annesley Malewana to Pahan Silu. His music is often characterized by simple melodies built around a melody that featurs the electric guitar - this style may be best illustrated by the song Malata Bambaraku Se (Translated: Like a Bee To a Flower).
Life
Wijewardene was born on August 3, 1943, in Haputale, Sri Lanka, to an estate medical doctor. His family moved to Batugedara, Ratnapura in 1964, where Wijewardene eloped with the daughter of a local landlord, and abandoned a budding planting career to pursue music full time.
Wijewardane first reached the airwaves as part of the influential band "The Moonstones", led by singer Annesley Malewana, in the 1960s. In the 1970s, Wijewardene founded the band "The Golden Chimes" with singer Anil Bharathi following Malawana's departure to focus his energy on his family. Later, upon Malawana's return to music, Clarence formed "The Super Golden Chimes". Following Malawana's departure from music in 1978, Wijewardene launched a successful solo career that he pursued until his death.
He passed away on December 13, 1996, at the age of 53, in Sri Lanka after a brief bout with cirrhosis of the liver. Many of his songs are considered classics, and continue to enjoy ample airtime on Sri Lankan television and radio broadcasts.
Due, however, to the immense popularity of his songs (which has grown since his death), they have also become the subject of a lawsuit over illegally recorded renditions sampled by other Sri lankan artists including singer Rajiv Sebastien. Clarence's widow recent filed suit against Sebastian[1], hoping to recover a portion of the income earned through the use of her late husband's work.
Music
In the course of his career, Clarence wrote several songs that became classics in his own time - among these; Gamen Liyumak (Translated: A Letter From the Village), Hiruge Lowedi (Translated: In the World of the Sun), Kanda Surinduni ("O Lord God of the Mountain") and Malata Bambaraku Se (Translated: Like a Bee To a Flower)
He also composed soundtracks for several Sri Lankan films, including Sikuruliya; as well as teledramas such as Suseema and Nidhikumba Mal.
He is often credited as having influenced the music of Pahan Silu.
References
External links
- Lanka Media Information
- Drawing of Clarence Wijewardane - Look at drawings of Clarence, along with several of his fellow Sri Lankan musicians on the homepage of artist Priyan Weerappuli.
- Listen to Clarence Wijewardena's music at Sinhala Jukebox.