Though most songs we hear today, are forgotten within hours, songs of the golden past still remain in our memories like fragrant pressed flowers. Chirstie who sang 'Amma Kiya Kiyatha Heki Ekama Landakatai' (Only one woman could be called  'mother') more than five decades ago, stuck to the words of the song and never married until his mother's demise. Christie – known as the Charlie  Chaplin of the Sinhala cinema – who will turn 80 soon, spoke his heart out to Reel Life during an interview at his Maligawatte residence.

 

 

When did you start singing?

In 1950 I was invited by the then programme producer Thevis Guruge to record some songs penned by Karunaratne Abeysekara and composed by B. S. Perera. My first song was 'Kullen Pola Pola Gal Keta Ahulala' . Then I sang about eight songs including 'Athamita Kasi Panam Honda Heti Thiyenawanam'.

 

Weren't you also an actor then?

My biggest dream was to become an actor. My schoolmate Prem Jayanth got me a small role in 'Warada Kageda'. Later I acted in Radala Piliruwa, Duppathage Duka, Suraya, Weera Wijaya, Suneetha, Sundara Birinda, Sirimalee and several other movies. In Sirimalee I sang the song 'Ai Wade Me Baya Wela' with K. Rani of India. Later films were made in Sri Lankan studios. I acted in Adata Wediya Heta Hondai, Udarata Menike, Ataweni Pudumaya, Dheewarayo, Allapu Gedara, Sura Chowraya and other popular movies with Gamini Fonseka, Malani Fonseka, Joe Abeywickrema and other stars. After most of the film studios were destroyed during the 1983 riots, I also opted to stay away  from acting.

 

You worked with top music directors too?

Yes I sang a lot of songs like 'Wella Simbina Rella Apata Mehema Kiyanawa', Ewilla Ewilla Sinhala Aurudda Ewilla, Amma Kiya, Mamai Badapissa, Ko Mama Nendage Ale and others with music directors Dakshinamurthi, T. R. Papa, R. Muthuswamy, M. K. Roksamy, Mohamed Sally. All my songs were penned by the late Karunaratne Abeysekara. My music world colleagues were Haroon Lantra, Mohideen Baig, Rukmani Devi, Eddie Jayamanne, Vincent de Paul Peiris, Vivienne de Silva Boralessa, Vasantha Sandanayake, Lata Walpola, Mallika Kahawita, Ranjani Perera and Sujatha Attanayake.

 

What's your view about newcomers singing popular old songs?

There are some who sing my songs too. It's not ethical to become popular singing songs of others. My songs are available on CD and cassettes. They can be played forever even after my demise.  I have sung a large number of songs of which my personal favourite is 'Amma Kiya' because for me a mother is God. I have also sung a duet called 'Hitha Yana Athakata' with Gamini Fonseka for a Radio Ceylon programme.

Among the awards won by Christie are the OCIC award in 1989, Media Foundation award in 1994, Kalabooshana in 1996, Swarna Jayanthi award in 1997, Presidential award in 1999, Ranathisara award in 2002, Sumathi Lifetime Achievement award, Abhinandana award and others.

“My wife Ureka Rozelle Perera is a retired trained teacher. I have also worked as Assistant Manager at Kingsley Theatre owned by the Cinemas Group and also was the production manager at Vijaya Studios. I am grateful to all those who have helped me especially Thevis Guruge, Gamini Fonseka, Vijaya Kumaratunga, Karunaratane Abeysekara, Ariyadasa Peiris, Dhammika Sri Rathnayake and others... Some day I will die, but my voice on the air will fly,” he said as a parting shot.

 

 

Address: B 14 – 2/3, Maligawatte Flats, Colombo 10

Phone: 0112-458646

 

 

By Vasantha Wimalasinghe