Composer of the Sri Lanka National Anthem Ananda Samarakoon’s birth centenary commemorates
Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma
(Pix by: Sudath Silva)
The composer of the Sri Lankan National Anthem, artiste and late musician Ananda Samarakoon’s 100th birth anniversary was commemorated at Temple Trees on 13 January. President Mahinda Rajapaksa graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and said that the best honour can be awarded to the creator of the National anthem is to build up the future generation loyal to the motherland.
Addressing the Ananda Samarakoon’s birth centenary celebrations T.B.Ekanayake, Minister of Cultural Affairs said that the government is fully committed to enhance the cultural and artistic affairs in Sri Lanka. Professor Sunil Ariyaratne delivered the key note speech of the anniversary.
Samarakoon was born Egodahage George Wilfred Alwis Samarakoon to a Christian family in Padukka, Sri Lanka on January 13, 1911. Later he changed his name to Ananda Samarakoon and embraced Buddhism. He had his primary and secondary education at Christian College, Kotte, presently known as Sri Jayawardenapura Maha Vidyalaya, Kotte. He studied at Shanthi Niketan in India. He was very much influenced by Rabindranath Tagore while in India and his fascination and the desire to imitate the great Indian musician would go on to take him in the direction of creating a musical tradition for the Sri Lankan people. Mr. Samarakoon died on 05 April 1962 at the age of 51.
Ananda Samarakoon was very patriotic and a versatile musician/ composer. He is memorable forever in the Sri Lanka’s history and his literary and music creations are of eternal value. He is also considered as the father of artistic Sinhala music and founder of the modern Sri Lankan Geeta Sahitya (Song Literature).
A large number of artistes, distinguished guests and school children participated in the ceremony at Temple Trees. The President is seen here interacting with school children. Secretary to the Cultural Affairs Ministry Wimal Rupasinghe, Professor Carlo Fonseka were also among the invitees at the occasion.
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ජාතික ගීය වැයෙන විට අප සැබැවින්ම හැසිරිය යුත්තේ කෙසේද? http://wp.me/p1iagp-5
One of the best National anthem in the world and one of the great composer in the world.And one national anthem for all srilanken.
Sri Lankan nation is only ONE NATION with one national anthem in Sinhala, composed by the Sinhalese patriot and musician, Ananda Samarakoon. Hence on all state occasions it has to be sung in Sinhala only, in all provinces, with dignity and respect it is owed, and not in the manner it was sung by RW and UNP goons at a recent convention they held, dancing like in a baila tamasha.