Features
World famed Sri Lankan singing duo on holiday in Colombo
Beginnings
I’ll start from the beginning since personal lives interest me most. Prianga is the younger brother of known and much respected Public Servant, late Susil Sirivaradana; their mother being a daughter of the prestigious Atapattu Walauwe in Galle. Eranga is the sister of the famed Sohan Weerasinghe of a respected family. Her father, Leonard Weerasinghe, who was a government servant, had the distinction of playing polo with the late Duke of Edinburgh and was Head of the Turf Club of Sri Lanka who initiated the engagement of local jockeys.
He once sang at the Tower Hall. Guess what his song was? The tragic tale of Podi None, daughter of an opisara who ellila maruna after choosing a probably lower caste person to give her heart to. Thwarted, she hung herself. This song was originally sung solo. However, when Eranga and Prianga harmonized it as a duet, Eranga sang in Sinhala and Prianga in modified pidgin English – “she hangered and died”!
How did you meet was my next edge-of–the-seat question. Prianga, who was artistically inclined and allowed by his family to be thus, had wanted to paint wild life in Wirawila. He was guided there by an indulgent uncle who en route wished to visit a friend – Mr Weerasinghe – who was the Superintendent of the Hambantota salterns. They visited; the two young ones saw each other and were instantly attracted; the magnetism further enhanced by them getting to know each was an artiste. They married in 1964, and will be celebrating 60 years of happy togetherness, complementing each other’s talents and dedication, progressing to be very successful, world recognized performers.
They originally sang in Colombo and broke new ground in their stage attire: she in a redda hatte with anklets on her feet and he in sarong and collarless long shirt. Her stage clothes were designed by Ena de Silva, including the then popular lace inserted, long sleeved blouse. Galle Face Hotel management refused to allow local dress by performers, but they insisted and won the day. They went to England where their son, Dinuke, was born in 1971.
A couple of years later, they were selected to sing at the PATA Conference in Hawaii, which they did, advertising Sri Lankan culture through the selection of their songs and stage dress. Millionaire Colin de Silva, author of eight books – most of them historical fiction on Ceylon including The Winds of Sinhala – lived in Honolulu. He befriended them. Escorted by him to dinner at The ‘Mad Greeks’ restaurant, Prianga, who had his guitar with him, was requested to sing during amateur hour.
He obliged with Eranga joining him in rendering four Greek songs much to the surprised delight of the owner. The couple had spent time in Greece, learning the language. They were engaged to sing in the restaurant, much to Colin de Silva’s embarrassment as he had advised them to return to Sri Lanka – no place to succeed artistically in Honolulu and least of all in the US, being his advice.
They had left for the PATA conference intending to return to Sri Lanka; their son being cared for by Prianga’s parents. Invited and induced to stay longer in Hawaii, they got him down and so began their long sojourn in America; their base now being Manhattan, where they live but spend winter months in Sri Lanka.
It was while in Honolulu that they intruded on a rehearsal of Harry Belafonte and were politely asked to leave. However on hearing they were professional singers, they were invited to meet the Calypso singer, who Eranga said, was the handsomest man she had seen so far. This surely is apart from her husband! Belafonte invited them to sing for him; was impressed; and asked Eranga to join his troupe. He was to start his world tour shortly. He pointedly did not invite Prianga. Even popular idols have clay feet! Among artistes it is jealousy and fear of competition. Laughingly Prianga commented that Belafonte would take girls to his team but never challenging coloured men.
Progress and greater success
They left Hawaii in 1976 and were welcome to perform in the clubs of the Jewish community who holiday in the Catskills Mountain resort, northwest of New York from 1981 onwards. Successful, they stayed on for close upon 20 years, leaving in 1999. Paid well, they obtained membership in the Labor Union of the US – a difficult feat. They had their agent – well-known Charles Rapp Agency. Catskill Mt. – playground of the rich and golfers’ paradise – was 90 miles from Manhattan, hence, though offered accommodation in the best hotels within the resort, they preferred to commute from their NY home for their singing assignments.
They lived and sang in England, a highlight being their concert in the Commonwealth Institute in London. They were sensations on BBC, the West End and Broadway, their indigenous costumes adding an innovatory glamour. They toured several other countries; thus their ability to sing in 15 different languages: Italian, Spanish, Hebrew, Sinhala, Tamil, Hindi and Swahili, to mention but seven.
Ads and Comments
Eranga had a couple of flyers advertising their concerts. Invariably they are billed as ‘Artistes of exceptional talent and artistry’; ‘Sensational husband and wife duo from Sri Lanka’; and their concerts advertised as ‘Distinguished artistes’ concert’ and repertoire as ‘International songs and local songs descriptive of Sri Lanka and its culture’.
Eranga emphasized one point: they were truly loyal to their birth country and promoted Ceylon/ Sri Lanka, conveying through their renditions, inclusive of Sinhala and Tamil songs, the ancient cultural heritage of the country in its variety, beauty and sophistication. Even their dress when on stage and often elsewhere was national. They gave a solo concert at the UN in New York where the Guest of Honour, High Commissioner Stanley Kalpage, referred to them as true ambassadors of Sri Lanka bringing kudos to the country. So did Neville Kanakaratne, another of our ambassadors to the US.
Eranga mentioned reluctantly that rumours surfaced and came to her ears, saddening her immensely. They were completely false allegations of them being money minded and accepting performances only if the payment was considerable. She was duly shocked at this false allegation of their entire singing career. Of course they earned money; they performed with an eye on earnings, but they have engaged themselves in performing free for Sri Lanka when overseas, and financially and materially helping those in their homeland. During the civil war they donated much of their money collection to the war effort; donated sixty wheel chairs and helped in procuring medicines. They have given generously to cancer hospitals and individual patients.
Their talent lives on. Their son Dinuke is very gifted, musically. He composes music for the songs he scripts himself and produces his own mediums be they YouTube or CDs. Well known recording companies such as Atlantic, Sony, and EMI have invited him to be one of their artistes. He has kept to himself so far, not wanting to be hemmed in by restricting regulations and conditions. Maybe in time to come, his mother hopes, he will water down his independence and go international as his parents did.
My final comment and question is: here are two excellent culture ambassadors from Sri Lanka who have shone internationally and placed this little island on the music map of the world. Have our governments since the 1960s given them due recognition in their own country? Not so!
I am reminded of the English proverb: A prophet is not recognized in his own land. Eranga and Prianga are high level ambassadors for our country, showing it in its true cultural dignity and talent. No local song of praise for them, as yet.