King of Lankan pop

Clarence Wijewardena’s contributions to music industry

By Saman Nagahawatte

It has been 25 years since the passing away of Sri Lankan music legend Clarence Wijewardena, who braved the storms of musical seas, to create his own identity. However, his melodies have found permanent residence in our hearts.

The trailblazer of ‘Sri Lankan pop music’ is long dead. Yet, his musical genius and vision, which revolutionised, 70’s music through the ‘new wave’ of music, ‘Sinhala pop’, is appreciated even decades later. Then and even now, any artiste performing before an audience, guitar in hand, is in debt to this maestro. His awe-inspiring oeuvre has produced countless singers in Sri Lanka over the years. Not only his melodious voice but his guitar compositions are truly inspirational.

The transformation of the Sinhala pop music culture began with the formation of the Moonstones musical band. The music world can never forget its celebrated trio of Clarence, Annesley Malewana and Indrani Perera. Clarence’s creativity in churning out original songs and harmonising delicate melodies in his band music are exemplified in songs such as ‘Dilhani Duwani’, ‘Gon Wassa’, ‘Mage Palpathe’. Later, Golden Chimes and Super Golden Chimes inspired many other bands. Following the formation of the Super Golden Chimes, the concept of Sinhala music bands swept across the country, like wildfire. Apart from Clarence, Annesley and Indrani, many other talented musicians and singers entered the music scene during this era.

The revolution set in motion single-handedly by Clarence is no less important than the changes introduced to the Western Music world by popular groups such as Bee Gees and The Beatles. Clarence is undoubtedly on par with John Lennon of The Beatles fame. Many of his songs were often sung by other singers. He had the amazing ability not only to write lyrics, but compose melody and make music arrangements, thereby making a song complete with all the required elements. This is an extraordinary musical gift which cannot be appreciated enough.

Clarence’s amazing talent was behind most of the songs sung by Milton Mallawarachchi, the 70’s heartthrob and much loved ‘Singer of Youth’ at the time. Clarence’s influence is evident in many successful songs of popular artists such as Annesley Malewana, Indrani Perera, Anil Bharathi and Priya Sooriyasena, whose songs were enriched by his creative lyrics, sweet melodies and spell-binding compositions. Clarence was the first to highlight the singing talents of gifted artiste Jackson Anthony and guided him towards a new genre of music.

The very first song sung by Clarence, ‘Dileepa Podi Puthu’, was composed based on a poem written by Karunaratne Abeysekera, for a newspaper at the time, dedicated to his son. The song became an instant hit, and his success and popularity as a singer was ensured following its release.

“If Pundit Amaradeva is given a prominent position in the local music scene, a similar position must be granted to Clarence Wijewardena,” said renowned critic, Professor Tissa Abeysekara. This was later endorsed by Pundit Amaradeva himself.

Following Clarence’s demise, talented veteran musician and singer Rookantha Gunathilake was able to take this genre of music further, while establishing his musical career through the support rendered by Clarence Wijewardena. Every music enthusiast in the country is undoubtedly aware of the extent of lyrics written by Clarence for various artistes during his career. The fact that the first back-to-back cassette in the music history of Sri Lanka was created by Clarence Wijewardena, is also noteworthy. He also introduced new electronic mixes for songs sung by the popular duo Chithra and PLA Somapala.

He also produced jingles for radio and TV commercials and wrote excellent copy for advertising campaigns, for example ‘Hithata Sewanak – Hithata Niwanak’ for Gam Udawa project, (which still remains unchanged), ‘Ube kateth dot – Mage kateth dot’ for Dot toffee, and slogans for many more brands, such as Bata and Pugoda.

What is little known about Clarence is that he was a brilliant football player as a youth. He went on to write the first song intended for Sri Lanka Cricket. Fans may never forget the comic Suseema, which revolved around a music band, featured in Sathuta magazine. This was later adapted into a TV series, in the capable hands of Clarence, in the capacity of music director. Clarence also directed music for the popular teledrama Nidikumba Mal and films such as Sikuruliya, Chathumadura, Apeksha, Sooriyakantha, Hello Shyama and Yasa Isuru.

Clarence always understood the hearts of the youth in Sri Lanka and he often created music through this deep understanding. Therefore it is unlikely that his music will ever lose popularity, but more likely will become more popular with time.

Those close to him knew that he never chased after money and was a simple and down-to- earth human being. He often helped those in need. Clarence never accumulated wealth through his work. What remains today is his music, the phenomenal contribution he made to the local music industry and the veteran artistes he helped to create.

Clarence never cared for awards and accolades. Perhaps the best award he received was the love and admiration of his fans, despite the fact that his contribution to the country’s band music industry often went unnoticed and unappreciated. His music will, no doubt, continue to entertain many generations to come. A price can never be set for the services rendered by him to the music industry for over three decades. His loved ones and thousands of fans will remember him with fondness, adoration and love on his 25th death anniversary. May Clarence’s beautiful soul rest in peace.

Dear Clarence…

Through the cords of the guitar

Through the flowers of summer

You soothed us. You made us cry

It has been 25 years now

Since you left us

But you and your songs

Will remain in our hearts forever

(Nagahawatte is a founding member of the Clarence Wijewardena Memorial Foundation)