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SRI LANKA MUSIC LEGEND PREMASIRI KEMADASA DIES

By Walter Jayawardhana

Dr. Premasiri Khemadasa, one of Sri Lanka's most renown musicians who composed for hundreds of films, songs and operas and entertained the Sri Lankan nation almost for more than four decades died at a private hospitals in Colombo, October 24, his family announced.

Unlike his contemporaries who were more lenient on Hindustani music Khemadasa boldly mixed the traditions of Sinhala folk music , Western classical music and traditional Indian raga-thala music in his life long quest to create the identity of Sri Lanka's own national music.

The maestro who was 71 years old at the time of his death was the founder of kemadasa Foundation dedicated for research and music education.

At a time when music directors of the fledging Sinhala Cinema industry were copying music from Hindi and Tamil films Khemadasa goes into history for introducing his own music creations to entertain the Sinhala cinema goers. For his great service to the national music scene the Ruhunu University conferred an honorary Doctorate on him. Sri Lanka's greatest living music legend Pandith Dr. Amaradeva has been associated with Khemadasa from the very beginning.

Agnidahaya (2002),Lokuduwa (1994), Meeharaka (1993), Maldeniye Simion (1987), Yagunthaya (1983), Kaliyugaya (1982), Nidhanaya (1972)
Bicycle Hora (1968), Vanasara (1968), Manamalayo (1967), Rane Giraw (1967), Senasuma Kothanada (1970), Guerilla Marketing (2005), Mathu Yam Davasa (2002) were some of the better known films for which he composed music scores.

Unafraid of breaking accepted music traditions Khemadasa introduced Western music styles through his operas and cantatas. Agni (fire) was his last opera searching for the beginning of the civilization.

Like many other musicians of modern times Kemadasa was born on the Western sea border of the island and was educated at Sri Sumangala College and St. John's College, Panadura. Funeral arrangements will be announced later .

The following are some of the more famous songs he created among hundreds of others:
1.Sanda Horen Horen
2. Wikasitha Pem
3. Hanthane Kandu
4. Ko Ma Pathu
5. Pawanata Salena
6. Oba Ha Mema
7. Anduru Kutiya Thula
8. Mala Gira Gela
9. Sanasum susuman
10. MageLowata
11. Ammawarune
12. Seetha Ra Yame / Duleeka
13. Paloswaka Sanda14. Paloswaka Sanda15. Mage Kandulin16. Sonduriye
17. Kanyawee18. Landune19. Mala Pabalu Wal20. Mala Pabalu Wal
21. Sansara Gamane22. Raa Hande23. Raa Hande24. Prema Sandawo
25. Raana Gira Joduwai26. Daru Duka Uhula27. Raana Gira Joduwai
28. Me Gee Eda Age Hadin29. Sandakan Daharin30. Chamara Salunawe
31. Ambare Dili Dili32. Jeevithe Amadhara33. Adara Nil Dase34. Sanda Balanna Baha35. Bambareku Handuwa36. Bambareku Handuwa
37. Mala Gira Gela38. Dedunnen Ena Samanalune39. Game Kopi Kade
40. Loke Jeevath Wannata - Manju41. Hemin Sare Piya Wida
42. Udumbara Hinahenawa
43. Sulan Kurullo
44. Udumbara Hinahenawa
45. Dedunnen Ena Samanalune
46. Pipena Malakata
47. Lama Wiye Kiri Suwanda
48. Duwillen Sadunu Liye
49. Hemin Sare Piya Wida
50. Udumbara Hinahenawa
51. La Hiru Payala
52. La Hiru Payala
53. Perum Pura Raja Bisawaka
54. Anduru Kutiya Thula (EOM)

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