Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe last night slammed the people who criticised world renowned opera singer Kishani Jayasinghe. “These shameless racists are trying to whip up Sinhala racism” he said.
Kishani’s version:
Sidath Wettimuny’s version:
Rukmani Devi’s version:
Amaradeva’s version:
Hubert Rajapaksha’s version:
ballah / February 18, 2016
so called PM of this country…what a joker
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Native Vedda / February 18, 2016
ballah
“so called PM of this country…what a joker”
Is he?
What is his best joke?
You know you have a serious problem, its you. Try and get rid of yourself the problem will go away. It does not mean you need to commit suicide, what it means is try and live a life to the full.
Or do you want to reach where HLD M is?
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ballah / February 18, 2016
Vedda, you are a candidate to be like Kiriella, sit next to this joker PM , laugh like a gona to everything PM joker says
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Native Vedda / February 18, 2016
ballah
“laugh like a gona to everything PM joker says”
I am not sure whether Gona’s can laugh except we can laugh at the common opposition.
What was PM’s best joke?
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ballah / February 19, 2016
vedda,you should rather ask what was not his best joke?
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Spring Koha / February 20, 2016
Yo ballah, best move would to bark off!
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Tamil from the north / March 10, 2016
Hey bowwow Balla, go and pee by a tree and sniff your achievement.
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Analyst / February 18, 2016
PRIME MINISTER please do your JOB as we have asked you to , Bring this country to a united prosperous country.
Let the BARKING BALLAS TO CARRY ON BARKING.
We are all behind you for a BETTER COUNTRY WITH BETTER PEOPLE. GOOD LUCK
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Amarasiri / February 18, 2016
Colombo Telegraph,
“Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe last night slammed the people who criticised world renowned opera singer Kishani Jayasinghe. “These shameless racists are trying to whip up Sinhala racism” he said.”
Thanks for the videos for Dhanno Budunge by:
Hubert Rajapaksa, 1920’s
W D Amaradeva
Rukmani Devi
Sidath Wttuminy, and
Kishani Jayasingha.
This is a snapshot of the culture with the changing times, part of the culture of the Land of the Native Veddah Aethho, occupied by the Paras.
Will it help the Paras to be civilized ultimately, instead of going after each other’s throats, as they have done in the past, by following the Enlightened Buddha’s teachings? Let us all hope so.
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Silva / February 19, 2016
It seems the Derana journalist brick, has hit Ranil instead of the cat..!
Day by day Ranil is reducing himself in to a joker.
Mervyn Silva took several years to reach this status, but it took only 12 months for our PM to get there….!!!
WHAT A SHAME……?
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Seelawathie / February 19, 2016
Ballah, you seems to have real balu qualities.
Why you call him a joker ?– and why you dont call the real jokers as jokers.. MR has been acting his role – few more months to go… then he will have to remove his masks fully… RW is th eonly PM – who has criticised where it is due- without having any hidden agendas. Few weeks ago, he dared to name who would write biased articles. Rajapakshe journos are still in action.
This country s third forces (third force in any country is the media) is bribed by Rajapakshes
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ballah / February 23, 2016
[Edited out]
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Wera / February 19, 2016
Hey Dog I listened to all the versions of the song posted by CT. What glorious renditions they are. I did not know Siddath can sing so beautifully. I was also struck by how similar the old Hubert Rajapkasha version was to the more modern versions sung by Kishani and Siddath. The PM has every right to call out the disgusting attacks made by people like you on Kishani. Your beef is to sling mud at the PM by insulting a world class singer. Did you even bother to listen to the renditions of this most precious song sung by these four great artist. What a fitting tribute to have this song sung to wonderfully at our nations independence. Your obvious support for a defeated thug will get you nowhere. Many thanks to Kishani, Saundari and the other musicians for putting on a splendid show on the 4th of February 2016. You did your country proud. Dogs not withstanding.
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ballah / February 23, 2016
[Edited out]
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Justice & Fairplay / February 19, 2016
Ballah, where were you when we had a PM who used our money to launder his clothes as well?
Where were you?
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Just saying / February 19, 2016
He has trivialized all other important matters by wading into an area that should have been handled by the relevant minister.
We all know that Ranil is more keen on opera, Beethoven and red wine so I suppose for him this issue is right up there with the cost of living, the diving rupee and crime.
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Justice & Fairplay / March 1, 2016
“Ranil Slams Kishani Critics”
Just listen to the video.
Is this a slamming? Does the journalists involved know the meaning of ‘slamming’?
Why target the Prime Minister in this way?
Target him by all means on wrong appointments, political interference, public misconduct or suchlike of all his charges, but such targeting must be fair and well deserved. In this instance I don’t think it is.
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Hamlet / February 18, 2016
I don’t think her singing is any different from Rukmani Devi of our Time.
Who remembers her?
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Ben Hurling / February 18, 2016
Kishani Jayasinghe opened a new door for average Sri Lankans. A new musical experience .
She has courage. Unbelievably talented. What an asset to Sri Lanka. We have every reason to be proud of her.
Only intolerant hypocrites, blinded by endless King Kong worshiping will dispute that.
Cheers!
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words / February 18, 2016
Kishanis version of the song was beautiful no doubt.. but there are many who felt that was not the way the song should be sung..and that is their right to critique.. no way are we saying criticism like that from the ada derana guy are acceptable. But reading CT article above it would seem the the PM thinks all those that critique this version of the song are racist!!! What utter nonsense.. it would seem these days that racism in Sl is being promoted by the UNP .. shame on Ranil.. he should know better and do better..
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Rizwan / February 19, 2016
Just earlier in the day the government sanctioned the singing of the official Tamil national anthem during the independence day ceremony. The first time in more than 50 years.
And you call him racist?
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words / February 19, 2016
Pray.. do tell why critiquing a version of the song makes the critique a racist???
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Sivapalan / February 18, 2016
“ballah” do not bark for nothing.
Our Prime Minister is clean man who did not touch any single cent from public money like Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The prime example is TSUNAMI FUND…..Mahinda was acquitted by another robber- Sarath N Silva and now going behind him.
“ballah” you are blind and deaf.
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ballah / February 18, 2016
sivapalan, your PM may not have stolen public money but he has sold the whole country to tamil & muslim [Edited out]. He is selling natural resources to west and India and he’s planning to sell country’s jobs to India via CEPA/ECTA.
He may not be stealing because he doesn’t have children but he lets his gay partners, friends and old boys to do day light robberies.
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Burning Issue / February 18, 2016
ballah,
you are indeed a Small fellow in every sense! It is not your fault as ignorance is bliss!
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ballah / February 18, 2016
look who’s talking…..keep going
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Spring Koha / February 20, 2016
Burning Issue,
If as you write, ‘ballah’ is ‘a Small fellow’
then the proper term for this ‘ballah’ is kuk’ka.
/
Tamil from the north / February 18, 2016
Balla, are you part of the new arrival of comedians after veterans like Jim Shitty, Fathima Fukushima, Sumanasekera, David Blacker? Thanks for joining us?
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Mallaiyuran / February 18, 2016
“He may not be stealing because he doesn’t have children “
ballah,
Sad to hear all these time Old King has been stealing all the small money $18 billion because his kids had nothing to eat at home!
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ballah / February 19, 2016
another brainless soul believing in pachapalana lies…just like the lambos and gold horses
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words / February 18, 2016
You are blind and deaf too..the clean man openly tolerates the dirtiest man as our Finance Minister. That makes him just as dirty!
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Saman / February 18, 2016
No need to argue.
“ballah” is “ballah”
Ballah is barking for nothing.
That is the nature of ballah
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ballah / February 18, 2016
you have nothing to argue, just a gawapalana worshipper
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Native Vedda / February 18, 2016
ballah
What is an argument?
/
Rohan / February 18, 2016
Barking for the tossed chewed bones, I thought?
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ballah / February 19, 2016
licking because you’re in ponils gay circle
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Native Vedda / February 19, 2016
ballah
“licking because you’re in ponils gay circle”
How do you know?
It is alright to confess.
Apart from yourself, who else is in the gay circle?
Do you feel lonely outside the circle?
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Chris Cross / February 20, 2016
To: NATIVE VEDDAH
You are still the same shameless, small, sleepless, hungry, thirsty, groggy little man that you are.
Wake up wake up, take a bath, dress up well, have a good b’fast, go out and see all that is good in your country and life.
Learn to appreciate the good things in life small man if you have a good eye sight and a keen sense of smell.
Sri Lanka is a land blessed in plenty but veddhas like you are not. You are not a native veddah but a specimen of some other small veddah.
Think positively as to how you can contribute to getting rid of all the corrupt polticians in your lovely land for one day they will be standing on your front door with fangs out seeking your blood.
Good luck small unhappy little man.
Ps: Go out buy a good mirror and see what you look like.
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Saman / February 18, 2016
Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe is not like Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe is accepted and respected by wise and intelligent people not only local but also global.
Mahinda Rajapaksa is accepted and respected by unwise and uneducated people…..only locally…..no any opportunity in the global society.
Mahinda was accepted by Mohomad Gadaffi……No need to explain about Gadaffi’s character….it is similar to Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Mahinda is alcoholic….and so on……
But Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe is a well mannered and well cultured gentleman.
Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe has read a lot and studied a lot and associating with wise and intelligent people .
Mahinda associates with Buruwansa……what a shame…
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John / February 18, 2016
…..you have left out comparison with Idi Amin the Ugandon dictator of the 1970’s from whose evil rule, that rich country and proud people are still to recover from their plundered wealth by the tyrant….
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Mallaiyuran / February 18, 2016
They renamed their victory day to whitewash as remembrance day. They sang the Sinhala song translation in Tamil at the end of the celebration, while had put strict order that nowhere in the country that Tamil translation should be sang. The PTA is not removed. What is this drama? Yahapalanaya is still trying to living on cashing the Puli Kili(fear of tiger)
What is behind all these. It is “Get the donations from western world and advance the Sinhala Buddhism-isation of the Wildlife Sanctuary Lanave”. Did they sing any other religious devotional songs in the celebration? If not, if their stand is they are obligated to protect the Buddhism according the Article 9 of the constitution, they do it properly. Probably,even Tamil and Muslims bound to support the activist pick up on the Kishani Jayasinghe debacle. Can the Yahapalanaya government properly do the job of “Sinhala Buddhism-isation of the Wildlife Sanctuary Lanave”, which at least the one the Old Royals have been doing well.
Sampanthan,Ranil, New King, State Secretary Kerry, UNHRC High Commissioner prince Zeid, and the OSIL investigators who removed the mane of the Old King from their report, which Weerawansa claimed has the name of 42 criminals. Now Ranil, instead of talking like a sage, should stop covering up every racist act taking place in Lankawe. We know Ranil personally blocking the case of Vidiya. Could this preacher take of his racist hand from the neck of the small girl’s dead body so she can receive the justice? There army soldiers raping women while dying. This man killing the child even after her painful torture death. Is there any other racist in the world other than this man?
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kishali / February 18, 2016
[Edited out]
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Viraj Hewage / February 18, 2016
Our PM appreciates music, lyrics and novelty.
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Moderate man / February 18, 2016
BaluLey, you epitomize your breed perfectly, barking at everything just like some pariah breeds for reasons at all
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Mallaiyuran / February 18, 2016
Let me ask a question. Who is going destroying the homes the people living in? What kind animals are these birth. Is there a Prime Minster in the country? Will Ranil Mahata give out an explanation in a media conference instead of spin doctoring a useless celebration’s debacle.
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Suman / February 23, 2016
Let me ask a question to Mallaiyuran. [Edited out]
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manel fonseka / February 18, 2016
Thank you, Colombo Telegraph, for providing all these versions for us to hear. How on earth did you dig up the 100-year-old recording?
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manel fonseka / February 18, 2016
And I thought Kishani was glorious – truly devotional singing.
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ballah / February 19, 2016
her figure is glorious…
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Native Vedda / February 20, 2016
ballah
“her figure is glorious…”
Are you related to Jamis Muthu Banda?
His willy also works faster than his brain.
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Diogenes / February 18, 2016
No PM. You are certainly wrong there. This singer was definitely out of place. She may be talented. May be the best singer in the whole world as a feature writer of Daily Mirror had suggested. But the way she sang this particular song is deplorable. For that occasion she could have selected some other song but not this one. If some foreigner comes and starts chanting Pirith in some unholy style are you asking us to appreciate that, too. No. we are can`t tolerate that type of absurd drama!
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words / February 18, 2016
Finally a sensible reasonable comment.. but be careful…
. You will be labelled a racist!
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maalumiris / February 19, 2016
@Diogenes
Why can’t a ‘foreigner’ chant pirith ? Is there some law against it ?
I have seen Thais, Cambodians, Nepali and other assorted non-SriLankan Buddhist monks chanting
Is this wrong ? Says who ?
Sinhala popular music today is very much different from what it was 50-60 years ago. They have incorporated many influences from outside Sri Lanka. Are you saying this too, is wrong ?
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Rizwan / February 19, 2016
The song was originally sung in the operatic style in 1948.
It was sung by a Hubert Rajapakse.
Nobody fussed about it then.
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Wise Owl / February 19, 2016
People back then were refined and cultured, Rizwan, unlike today.
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Gobba / March 2, 2016
Why on earth didnt you find offence at many renditions by Santhush and Bhathiya ? which were worse than this rendition.
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Good Night / February 18, 2016
Just because a internationally recognized / trained Opera Singer sings a song, the song does not become a quality song. The P.M. is trying to show his high society affiliation / high taste of music, by trying to defend the Singer, by showing his usual arrogance, which is not suitable for a P.M. and not a matter to be taken up, when there are many more important matters still in dare straights in this Country. It amounts to interfering in freedom of the press, too. By doing so at his level is a very poor show for the Government, which is boasting of bringing press freedom, with the new Government. If she had sung a English Opera song at the Independence Cultural Show, it would have shown the talent of the locals to perform any tough international music, with the same or superior talent. as we did with Cricket in Sports. But, by Singing Danno Budunge, it ruined the feelings of the People, who embraced the Song so dearly, which we have to admit. At the same time, when criticizing young Artists, for that matter any young talent, we should not demoralize them, unless it is done with intention to harm our good values for money or otherwise. Now the damage is more, by the P.M. had gone further in his usual arrogance by asking to take action or he will have to reconsider the renewal of the license, which is blunt violation of press freedom, which the President should make correction, to save the reputation of the Government. It is very unpleasant for me & feel ashamed, to see how the P.M. behaves in Parliament, specially when confronted, which is not the way a leader of a Country should behave at all. On the other hand, it is very poor show by the Derana T.V., to dismiss an employee, for such an incident, in fear of the P.M. It shows that, our Media has not come – out of the old environment of dictatorship rule & not ready to stand to uphold their own rights, even by going to Courts.
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Kalu Nangi / February 19, 2016
“Good night”, please sleep tight!
You have taken a lot of trouble to write rubbish.
Danno Budunge is a devotional song and there is no particular style for it to be sung. What is necessary is to impart one’s feelings and emotions corresponding to the words of the song, which Kishani did admirably. She is a soprano and has the ability to sing at a higher octave than an ordinary vocalist. That is her talent for which she is renowned in her field of music.
The people who have commented negatively on her style of singing simply do not appreciate music. They are “false patriots”, a class of people who gradually took root in Sri Lanka during the era of the Maharajano.
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Derby / February 19, 2016
Kalu Nangi,
No one is critiquing Kishani’s ability to sing as a soprano. The time, place and event where an opera style Danno Budunge was sung is so wrong. Think about it. Do you think only the Colombo Elite attended the Independence day celebrations? Thousands of villagers attended this event too. Do you think they can distinguish an opera version of Danno Budunge versus the classical version of the same? I am thinking of Silindu from Jungle Tide – what thoughts do you think would cross his mind as he hears Kishani’s operatic version of Danno Budunge? My thinking is that Silindu probably would have thought it is the mating call of a ‘Nariya’.
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Good Night / February 20, 2016
Dear Kalu Nangi,
Anyone with common sense can listen to the different versions of the Song given above & decide what is right, without prejudice, as you.
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Good Night / February 20, 2016
Dear Kalu Nangi,
What a surprise, this one thinks there is no style to sing devotional Songs, but talks about Saprona.
Even being a false patriotic for his Benefit, MR never went to this type of behavior, as the current P.M., like a young village Girl in front of her Boy Friend. Also, this has nothing to do with patriotism or politics.
Ok, you want to show that, you have superior knowledge of Music & you are super than most Citizens of this Country, which is fooling yourself.
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Kettikaran / February 18, 2016
Again, CT has done the readers a favour by bringing in different versions of the touching Danno Budunge – not merely loved by – but also venerated by the Buddhist public. That includes many non-Sinhala Buddhists, like me.
I remember the beautiful version by that superb Australian singer of Polynesian origin Freddie Tira – courtesy the late Manik Sandrasagara and friends during 1971/72. I believe Tira was then married to Roma de Zoysa, daughter of former Finance Minister Stanley. There is little doubt Kishani Jayasinghe is a world class Soprano, in league with such greats as Kiri Te Kanewa. But here, I must confess, her valiant effort on February 04 has not hit home. Incongruous is perhaps the nearest description that comes to my mind.
Appreciating Western Classical music is an entirely different ball game – particularly to most Sri Lankans, even those English-speaking elitist.
One needs an ear, love and knowledge to enjoy Tenors, Baritones and Sopranos – and I fear sadly, the breed is on the way to extinction here. How much we enjoyed the recordings of the immortal “3 Tenors in the Park” in the open Hyde Park in London (Luciano Pavaroti, Jose Careras and Placido Domingo) It was also a privilege to listen to the Black S. African girl Soprano Kimi Skota doing “Ave Maria” – courtesy Dutch Conductor Andre Rieu. I mention both so that interested readers can google and enjoy these all-time greats.
Perhaps, the talented Soundari David and others might consider arranging musical shows in Jaffna and Colombo where talented young Tamils can be persuaded to sing such Sinhala greats as Danno Budunge and vice versa. That will go a long way in our current accelerated process of reconciliation.
Kettikaran
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JO JO / February 18, 2016
Kishani is a good opera singer no doubt. But but this song was sung in a wrong way at a wrong place and at a wrong time.
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Native Vedda / February 19, 2016
JO JO
“But but this song was sung in a wrong way at a wrong place and at a wrong time.”
I respect your preferences.
However, I also think that as an artist she has her artistic freedom to interpret music the way she sees it fit. We must respect her for her creative musical acculturation.
Nothing is wrong, as exploration of music brings variety and happiness to many and disappointment to a few who usually reject in the name of piety and orthodoxy.
Growth comes with innovation and stagnation usually comes with rejection of syncretism.
The music you enjoy now has gone through transformation over many years.
/
Derby / February 19, 2016
Unfortunately, Kishani’s version does NOT sound anything like a Sinhalese song. It sounds more Operatic and Italian. Of course, she is a great Opera singer but Danno Budunge is NOT an operatic song. No one can understand what she is singing and neither can anyone relate to the tune. I doubt anyone is criticizing Kishani’s ability to perform Operatic songs but this time around the Sinhalese song she sang was totally of out of tune for the masses of Sri Lanka. Maybe, this version would have been great for a private performance of the Colombo Elite. It’s definitely will not rhyme with an Independence Day celebration where the masses come to celebrate, and I simply doubt any of the village folks would have ever heard of operatic singers. To them it probably would have sounded like a ‘Nariyek hooo thiyenawa’ – no offense to Kishani though.
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Derby / February 19, 2016
Listening to all the versions of Danno Budunge, I prefer the Rukmani Devi version the best. Her voice is so pure, melodious and delightful. Second best is the Hubert Rajapakshe’s version and third is Amaradeva’s version . As for Sidath Wettimuny’s version – he sounds like he is singing a romantic song to win the heart of girl – and with a British or some other accent – definitely does not sound like a man from Sri Lanka. The worst of course is Kishani’s version which the ordinary Sri Lanka man cannot relate to – just the Colombo Elite.
This is of course my preference and my opinions, and I am not putting down anyone else’s opinions and preferences.
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Justice & Fairplay / February 19, 2016
” The worst of course is Kishani’s version which the ordinary Sri Lanka man cannot relate to – just the Colombo Elite. “
Derby, thanks for your gracious ending.
Kishani sings opera, and has performed this song in a resoundingly brilliant way.
It is not her fault that Sri Lankan people have not had the opportunity of learning those varied aspects of music which makes the spectrum so magnificent. It has nothing to do with whether or not you are in Colombo or not; more to do with whether or not you know music.
Respectfully I say, compared with Kishani’s, all other renditions given above – I think – are pale in comparison.
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Derby / February 19, 2016
at Justcie & fairplay,
I suppose it is not the fault of the Sri Lankan villagers that they have to listen to operatic music on Independence day, something that they would not have understood or could not have related to. I am relating to the masses and not the percentage of people who are English speaking and have been subjected to opera.
People on this forum are so close minded and think only of themselves. It is so unfortunate, that they are not able to relate to the masses.
I suppose it won’t really matter as in the next 20 years, Sri Lanka will be singing their songs in Hindi, and might even replace the National Anthem to India’s if Harsha’s vision of ECTA moves forward.
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Native Vedda / February 20, 2016
Derby
“I suppose it won’t really matter as in the next 20 years, Sri Lanka will be singing their songs in Hindi, and might even replace the National Anthem to India’s if Harsha’s vision of ECTA moves forward.”
Please explain, as I am not that clever to grasp all those machinations that you alerting us to.
Why and how Harsha’s vision going to endanger paranoid little islanders?
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LankanfromLanka / February 19, 2016
‘does not sound like a man from Sri Lanka’. As you say, these are your own preferences and opinions. I am from Sri Lanka too and I liked Kishani’s version.
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K.A Sumanasekera / February 19, 2016
Kishani is Coool… says Batalanda Ranil…
Is this a precurser to the Yahapalana Anthem under Batalanada’s New Constitution.
Because no nation in the world sings the national anthem in two languages,
Not even in Hindi Land, where there are 300 of them.
If Kishani sings it like what she did to our Lord Buddha prayer..everyone ..
will be happy. Wouldn’t they?.
Our so called Sinhala Biddhist Elite wouldn’t know Opera from Ophra ..
Wonder whether it is part of the Jaffna Tamil culture.. I mean singing Opera…
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Native Vedda / February 19, 2016
KASmaalam K.A Sumanasekera
“Because no nation in the world sings the national anthem in two languages,”
Now I know there is not much difference between you and Wimal Weerawansa or for that matter any other Sinhala/Buddhist bigots.
Ignorance is your virtue, a forte and you will be safe there and don’t leave.
“Wonder whether it is part of the Jaffna Tamil culture.. I mean singing Opera…”
Here is a taste to come:
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=jzcN2avhl8s
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=w9Z2LL4s8tQ
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=zDwQI4mRaDc
Listen all three clips and let me have your usual Batalanada, Abraham, Vellala, …. critique.
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Justice & Fairplay / February 19, 2016
Kishani is BRILLIANT, just BRILLIANT!!, what a rendition!!! BRAVO!!!!
In any knowledgeable circuit, that would have called for a standing ovation!!
Our PM is dead right! On most occasions he is!!
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Diogenes / February 19, 2016
As a rejoinder to my previous comment: I believe this song was also sung by an English girl – none other than the daughter of an English Governor General – some decades ago. The record may be there in the SLBC Library; And also by our Olympic medal winner Duncan White!
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vp / February 20, 2016
Some of these racists are like the Taliban.
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Spring Koha / February 20, 2016
Dearie me, luckily we do not have more pressing points to focus our attention on – like national reconciliation, a new constitution, and restitution of the millions lost during the rule of the Liberator.
Artistic interpretation. like beauty, lies in the eye of the beholder.
Kishani Jayasinghe is an outstanding international soprano, but putting her excellent rendition before a wide audience, many of who would have never come across this particular style of singing, was akin to putting pearls before swine. What to do? You can’t win ’em all.
Top marks to CT for the excellent versions above, including the snippet of Joan Ramsbotham, daughter of Governor General Lord Soulbury, bravely singing ‘Danno Budunge’. (Joan comes from a lineage that goes back to Henry VII).
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Sinhala_Man / February 24, 2016
Yes, Spring Koha, we must focus on “national reconciliation, a new constitution, and restitution of the millions lost during the rule of the Liberator.”
All these comments mean that it was a bit of miscalculation putting these pearls . . . – I’d better stop the “idiom” there! Our people are decent and honest but opera has to be an acquired taste for us guys.
You throw it at people when they are unprepared and most will react against it; a mischievous few would obviously make political capital out of this faux pas; one cannot counter that by being naive.
After this storm broke out I read up a bit about Kishani; I hadn’t heard of her, let me confess! I read this:
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/081123/Plus/sundaytimesplus_15.html
That has been written by Tara Coomaraswamy after interviewing Kishani. It so happens that Tara’s (Sinhalese) father and her mother (who was assumed to be Sinhalese) spent their twilight years in my village, and they had some operas on video cassettes, and I borrowed Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro” – and also, I think, Bizet’s Carmen (may be a few others as well) and – may I say I almost studied them to get an idea of what a full length opera was like. I had over the years listened to many arias, but even my listening to “Classical Music” as most people vaguely referred to the genre was regarded as “mad”!
Over the years I’ve come to realise that to introduce most people to “serious music”, it is best to stick to Mozart’s non operatic music: e.g. the last three symphonies or – the clarinet concerto:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3EJqvKhYzY
That’s the link to a good performance of the audio only. Let’s be realistic! Most of us have to think about how much of our “limited Internet” connection’s data is going to be taxed! The second movement (adagio) is really lovely!
But if we can afford that bit of extra data after midnight (that’s how many of our connections work, don’t they?), it would be good to get to know all the instruments by seeing a video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_gm0NCabPs
Another composer you could try out is Schubert; I’ve enjoyed SEEING “innocents” suddenly recognising the ring tone that they’ve often heard on mobile phones:
http://www.classicsonline.com/catalogue/product.aspx?pid=2208
That is the entire work; the “theme and variations” is the fourth of five movements, isn’t it? I’m not a connoisseur who can work out which is the “best” recording of these two hundred year old works. And that’s another point! So many people just don’t even know that music was WRITTEN that long ago.
I came across this comment above; it’s by a contributor who usually writes sense, and so I don’t want to name him.
“In any knowledgeable circuit, that would have called for a standing ovation!!”
Doesn’t that, and so many other comments, verge on snobbery? Not as bad as laughing at mistakes in the use of “the Queen’s language” – as if we don’t all use a Lankan version of it!
As for music, I know little of the finer points, but Beethoven is by far my favourite. However, I don’t try his middle “heroic” period on anybody without explaining the French Revolution and his struggle with growing deafness. As for the “last quartets”, those must be approached by any of us only when in the mood to really focus all attention on how the great man overcame tragedy.
What I’ve said at great length is, that we, who have in all sorts of unlikely ways have begun to love such music, must carefully introduce it to younger and to rustic people. No, Kishani should not have been exposed to these responses: let US learn from the experience. Incidentally, a year ago, I had come across a younger soprano acquiring fame:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tharanga_Goonetilleke
A fortunate pair they are: living lives quite different from our which are so hum drum – but that’s the way the world is going, and the sooner we learn that all that has taken hard work, the better.
The other feature of Independence Day was the singing of the National Anthem in Tamil. Great! Officially announced or not, we knew it was a possibility and we were prepared. That was NOT how it was in 1987 when I first heard it: people can always do something desirable for the wrong reasons!
All Sri Lankans resident in Male, Maldives, were supposed to gather at the Sri Lankan Embassy on the 4th of February. Suddenly, a section of the people began to sing the Anthem in Tamil. It was planned, and took us all by surprise; most of the Sinhalese said that it was the “Eelam National Anthem”. Of course not! Singing it with us in Tamil is a way in which “the other” linguistic group emphatically affirms that we are one people. However, I can’t help feeling that those who planned it were consciously plotting mischief – not of the worst kind, though.
Those were years when things were really bad. Let us ensure that we now do all that we can to unite! And that means not just promoting trilingualism (actually, I don’t know Tamil), but making sure that we don’t classify as “godayas” those who have never been to the opera.
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A LAW ABIDING CITIZEN / February 21, 2016
[Edited out]
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A LAW ABIDING CITIZEN / February 21, 2016
Edited out-Its not so good.OK,But Thats The Fact ….The Present Regime Is On THe Merge Of Ruining The Rich Sinhala Buddhist Culture Of This Country……..Before they came to power it was fore told by them itself….What This Opera Singer Has Done Her Duty For Her Masters…..Its A Damn Shame………We must hail the Derana Tv media and Journalist Sanka Amarajith who exposed the facts..
If It was Given A wide Publicity That DANO BUDUNGE song is to be sung in the Opera Style in this event …..You would have seen what the publics’ response is.It was lucky it went this way….From any point it should be taken for grant that you should not do anything that harm the rich culture of this country and THE WORSE PART OF IT IS THAT THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE COUNTRY IS ACTING LIKE A DICTATOR NOT ALLOWING TO CRITIZISE A CULTURAL EVENT EVEN…ON HIS ALLEGATIONS DERANA Tv HAS EXPELLED Mr.SANKA OVER THIS ISSUE.ITS VERY PATHETIC TO HEAR.WHERE IS THE……. SO CALLED MEDIA FREEDOM IN THIS COUNTRY……….
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BBS Rep / February 22, 2016
Our voices are all different. Our hearing are all different also. This is why all humans have a distinctively recognisable voice.
There is no one single way a song should be sung or a poem should be recited. Some living in a nostalgic world are not open to new voices and new versions. This is not different to the frog who lives in the proverbial well.
In this instance Ranil is right and Ranil has every right to wade into this debate.
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sekara / February 24, 2016
in 1998 AR Rahman made a CD “Vande Mataram”. The tune was more modern and the background music was loud.
Vande Mataram lyrics were already controversial for the anti-Muslim associations of the source, but the words were pretty much harmless.
Many like the song which is even hailed as the unofficial national anthem of India by some.
People could have objected from both the then rising Hindutva angle or feom a Muslim sentimentalist angle. Nothing like that happened.
ARR’s version was popular for an year or two and faded away.
We need tolerance. Kishani meant no offence. It was the same tune sung in a different style.
If a Korean or Brazilian did it to suit the musical taste of his/her country, we would have been flattered.
I do not see why Ranil W should get involved as Kishani’s answer was good enough. She meant well and did well. Let us respect her for it.
If one disliked the rendering, let us respect his/her taste as well.
JR used it as his own anthem as election results were announced. That was bad taste.
Sad that this discussion has gone at a tangent (or several)?
Let us not make cheap politics of the episode.
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Sylvia Haik / March 7, 2016
It is laughable these tone-deaf morons not able to appreciate culture because of their inferiority complex believing opera should be left to the elite. Most operas in Italian are appreciated by people of all classes despite not understanding Italian. The assumption by many of these tone-deaf racist morons is that the Sri Lankan villagers would not take to this style of singing. Given the opportunity I have no doubt they will like it because music has no language barriers. Dunno Budunge is indeed a beautiful song but its lyrics having reverential connotatiions is rather tenuous. I only hope someone will bring on a Tamil version and shut these racist idiots up for good.
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Sinhala_Man / March 11, 2016
Hmmmm! A Tamil version of Dunno Budunge – that would be interesting.
Having said that, since we don’t know any Tamil ourselves, that would be mischievous on our part, wouldn’t it? We can make the laudable move to “shut these racist idiots up for good.” only after refining that motive, and genuinely getting rid of the idea that we “elite” have to educate the “masses”. My understanding is that, worldwide, going to the opera is an elite business – there is a strict dress code for Glyndebourne, isn’t there? I’ve never had the opportunity to visit any “Western developed” country where a person can purchase an opera ticket as a routine matter. Does that make me sub-human?
It would be good to popularise the best forms of art, but the fact is that the very poor live a basic life-style which will NEVER include appreciation of the highest Art forms. There are individuals who will respond, but please see my comment in sociological terms.
I’ve just read Kishani’s own comments:
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160306/plus/my-experience-of-independence-185296.html
The failure here was on the part of those who arranged for her to sing, and didn’t foresee the need to educate the “people” beforehand.
With hindsightit is easy for me to say this: I mean all television commentators could have been advised that they could, perhaps, have said that “our second National Anthem” was going to be sung in a slightly different style, and just a few words about that style.Not preparing carefully is irresponsible. The confusion countrywide was so great that we must blame the presenters, not the response (while understanding that some of the fuss was caused by racist politicians).
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Hamlet / March 13, 2016
Thinking about the Reason for the Derana Reporter’s Outburst, I have come to the conclusion that this is the result of Envy and Jealousy by someone who does not have the Talent or the Ability to compete in the Wider World!
It is the ‘Frog in the Well Stance’ taken by the Sycophants, who have come to the Top by Praising and Emulating the Mediocre Achievements of the Rajapakse Era.
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Shamalie Panditha / March 18, 2016
That’s absolute fact but you know those type of people are bloody scum on the earth. And we call them gutters snipes.
(You can take a bum out of the slum, But you can’t take a slum out of the bum). Am I correct.?
Shamalie.
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L.K. Liyanagamage / March 18, 2016
People who are insult PM Ranil Wickremasinghe., What those low buggers knows? Even those bastards don’t know anything about Medamulana cattle lifter. The rogues in yellow robes altogether running behind the Medamulana rogues., Why.? Because Sri Lankan Sinhalese Buddhist bastards are real conservative minded uncultured sinners. Even people who are believing bloody yellow robes wearing rascals are real disgrace to this small island call Sirilanka. Those Buddhist monkeys are promoting Rajapaksha’s image and trying to begin a next ethnic conflict against other minorities. We all good liberal minded people, must always keep an eye on them and when the time comes, we should crush the bloody racism and the bloody racists.
L.K. Liyanagamage from Akuressa.
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