Millions of music loving Sri Lankans will gladly recollect the golden era of original Ceylonese music. It was a time when talent and original creativity reigned supreme. One of the men that made this transformation was the late Gerald Wickremesooriya. The modest planter turned producer made an immense contribution to the local music industry, beginning with his brand label “Sooriya” in 1968.
Almost five decades later his legend lives on through his vibrant grandson Sanchitha. I met up with him on a Sunday morning at the Sooriya Village: a domain that encourages and sustains music and art. The Village located down Skelton Road, Colombo-5 has a recording studio, rehearsal room, 100 seat restaurant, outdoor dining and a mini open air stage all of which gently blend to create a lifestyle of music and culture. Sanchitha, an old boy of Royal College, Colombo is a graduate from Berkley College, Boston with emphasis on music. He happily recalls his grandfather Gerald. Interestingly, when Sanchitha was born his legendary grandfather had lost his vision, thus he never saw his grandson. Yet, through his unassuming ways he did impact the young man. The studio is a platform for upcoming talent. It is also frequented by many local bands and musicians. The restaurant is overseen by the master of Sri Lankan cuisine Hemalalindre Ranawake, known to us all as “Chef Kolu’. Young Wickremesooriya explains that his studio has 12 musicians’ stations. Here an aspiring artiste can record his or her own music. Each station has a computer, Pro tools software, Midi keyboard and audio interface.
A separate library also has books on all forms of art. In addition, there is a dance theatre being built with 360 degree mirrors and a 15 bed dormitory. I am now joined by Gerald Wickremesooriya’s second son, Udena (Sanchitha’s dad). Udena recalls those glorious days when his father was the live wire behind original Sri Lankan music. He remembers their residence at No.5 Sea View Avenue, which was a “happening” joint those days as musicians, lyricists, journalists and fans all dropped by.
Udena says his mother Dulcie was kept busy making snacks for the visitors. Hailing from Ambalangoda, Gerald kept the company of musical giants like the late Amaradeva, Sunil Shantha, Chitrasena and Ananda Samarakoon. Today, Udena reflects on those days and says, “We never had a dull moment, with so much of music and so many folks visiting us “. He joyfully remembers how his father started a children’s bookshop at Fort, with some insight from K.V.G De Silva in 1959. This bookshop soon became the store from where Ceylonese fans lined up to buy their records. When Elvis Presley released his mega hit “Wooden Heart” local fans lined the street from Fort to the Light House at Galle Face to buy this pulsating emotion laden record.
Wickremesooriya was the first person to bring down records of the fab four: The Beatles .Veteran broadcaster Vijaya Corea was another person associated with the Sooriya label. This worthy with his dynamic voice on Radio Ceylon very boldly aired Sinhala pop songs on the English Channel in that era, amid some controversy. He was one of the pioneers who fearlessly promoted Sinhala pop music from sensational bands like the Moon Stones and Super Golden Chimes. The famous hit, Suranganie made famous by A.E.Manoharan also came via the Sooriya label. Seven months after opening the Sooriya Village, both, Udena and his aspiring son Sanchitha have one dream: to promote high quality original Sri Lankan talent in the pioneering spirit of the late visionary Gerald Wickremesooriya. Thus, the legend of the scintillating Sooriya label will live on for decades to come, entertaining a whole new generation.