Her
voice, those songs….Pathiwatha Ma Raki ………
Like
all natural-born singers, Swarna Abeyratne hails from a musical
family. She was given Primary education rooting in India at Good
Shepard’s Convent and later moved back to Srilanka for further
secondary education at St. Paul’s Waragoda with the intent
of keeping her closer to her family in Kelaniya. The Musical influence
came from her with her farther’s influence, with whom Swarna
spent the larger part of her days in early years.
The
year was 1951.She was a beautiful girl of 11, fond of music. The
first composer to recognise her talent was her farther, Cyril P
Abeyratne,for whom Swarna sang memorable tunes such as Pathiwatha
Ma Raki in “SUBADRA”
It was the heyday of Cyril P Abeyratne, Father of Swarna, well known
Film Director, Lyricist who encouraged his one and only daughter
to start her play back singing. South Indian Musician T.R PAPA was
equally well known in India as well as in Sri lanka in early 50’s.
The 11 year old Swarna sang a song written by Wilfred Silva,in a
South Indian Studio for her fathers film “ Suranganee”.
The song began thus: “Seyawa Andunu Rupe”. The song
was absolutely an instant hit. Since then Songerstress Swarna Abeyratne
has been singing for well over Ten films.
Since
50’s to latter part of 70’s her name was a household
name within the old hits music lovers. Hundreds of memorable songs
sung in a mix of Hindi and Srilankan style of her own.
H R Jothipala, had the privilege to sing his first song "Aloke
dehe mahade" partnering songstress Swarna Abeytratne in the
film "Surathalee", Directed by Cyril P Abeyratne.
Cyril P Abeyratne is noted for his cinematic portrayal of normal
day to life ,carve a niche for examining social kind of cinema –
full of romance, comedy & melodrama – Cyril P Abeyratne
seemed to have uttered the last word in two worlds. Some of his
well known films were Suranganee Surathalee-
Subadra- Sujage- Rahasa-Sumudu- Baryawa- Susi–Sali, Saja
. At the 1982 OCIC Film Festival, Cyril P Abeyratne’s
services to film industry was adjudged as commendable and he was
awarded the 30 year service lifetime award. He died soon after winning
his first ever OCIC Film Award in 1982.
However
his daughter Swarna Abeyratne had the privilege to become a youngest
playback singer in Srilanka for all of her father’s films.
With those films she sang many songs some of them partnering HR
Jothipala were very popular. It is also noteworthy that late Musical
Dirctor Stanly Peiris had recomposed with latest remix some of her
well known songs such as Pathiwatha Ma Reki ,Seyawa Aduni Rupe and
Prane Pudannam partnering Keerthi Pascual originally sung with HR
.
For many years, Swarna was able to contribute her voice for different
Srilankan media such as Radio, Telivision. Swarna has a massive
backing among old hits song lovers and catholic churches who loved
her hymn. They got her to sing them over and over again. That is
why her early numbers such as ALOKE SANDYAWE,
DEEPE SRI LANKA. ALOKE DEHA MAHADE, PATHIWATHA MA RAKI, SEYAWA ADUNU
RUPE, THANIWUA , SEETHA JALE are still so popular.
On
the personal front, Swarna married in 1962 to Roy Sebastian Iddamalgoda
and blessed with three sons and one daughter. However soon after
her first baby she had to temporarily give up playback singing due
to family commitments. Anyway her marriage was a happy one until
she lost her husband in 1994 and thereafter she moved to Australia
to live with her one and only daughter.
She
has also tried her hand at recording a private album as far back
as 1985 , but due to family commitments it still remains unaccomplished.
Following
the mother’s footsteps, Swarn’s son Theja Iddamalgoda,
the eldest of four children, has started advertising and music.
He too is a Music Director and will be a great success as his mother
and Grand Father.
Since the music community remained touched even to this day by her
vivacity, spontaneity and sense of rhythm they are fortunate once
again to have her voice heard which lost for some time
Swarna Abeyratne remains one among the few old playback singers
who will stay on and bring permanence their work as well.
