Mr. W. D. Amaradewa

 

          Mr. W. D. Amaradewa is a world famous singer, a university lecturer, a lyricist and the musician of the Maldives national anthem.

His birth certificate name is mentioned as Wanakkuwaththamitiwaduge Don Albert Perera. He was born in Moratuwa in 5th of December in 1927. He is the son of Mr.Don Ginoris Perera and Mrs. Baalaapuwaduge Magee Weslina Mendis.

             He was the youngest in a family of seven children. His father was producing and repairing violins al Moratumulla Technical centre. From his young age he was good at playing violin, sitar and harmonium.

He received his higher education in Music from ‘Bhaathkande Music School’. Once Mr. Albert Perera finished his higher studies in Music, He was given the name of ‘Amaradeva’ by the great dramatist Ediriweera Sarathchandra. Then he has joined with the programs in radio. 

               After the independence he worked hard in collaboration with the experts like Paneebharathr, Kiriganitha, Ukkuwa and Suramba to create Music identical to Sri Lankan folk tradition.  As a result of that Music was originated out of our folk songs and the Indian classical Music.

              He has done a great service to the field of Music. He has contributed in Music to a lot of films like ‘Ranmuthudoowa’, ‘Adata wadiya heta hoday’, ‘Sikuru tharuwa’, ‘Gamperaliya’, and ‘Wesathuru siritha’.

               He has sung a number of songs. Some of them are ‘Maha boo wannama’, ‘Kumariyaka paa salamba saluna’, and ‘Wandimu sugatha shaakya singha’ Pandit Amaradeva has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Indian Padma Sri Award and Sri Lankan "President's Award of Kala Keerthi" and Deshamanya Award.  

                  He has also represented Sri Lanka in many forums including the UNESCO 1967 Manila Symposium, and composed the melody for the Maldives national anthem, Gaumii salaam, at the request of British Queen Elizabeth II.