National Anthem: Controversies

We are in the midst of yet another controversy about our National Anthem; unfortunately, a recurring theme. Indeed, this is not even the worst; that was when the creator paid with the ultimate sacrifice.

The deft hand which created many a beautiful painting and many a memorable melody including our National Anthem, reached for a bottle of sleeping pills, perhaps hesitantly, on 2nd April 1962 and silenced the golden voice of Ananda Samarakoon, for ever, three days later. Sadly, it was yet another controversy that cut down prematurely, at the age of 51, the productive life of this composer, lyricist, singer and painter; his sensitive, artistic mind not being able to comprehend and accept the decapitation of his masterpiece.

Maybe it is due to inherent ingratitude of our nation or negative attitude to suicide, that the genius of Ananda Samarakoon has been largely forgotten. We will never know how much more he would have enriched Sinhala music, if not for this avoidable tragedy, but in his short life, plagued often with want and suffering, he achieved something unique; he changed Sinhala music forever by establishing a genre of music we could call our own, rather than continuing the tradition of slavishly copying North Indian music. On the occasion of the centenary of his birth, Prof Sunil Ariyaratna wrote in ‘Sarasaviya’: “Ananda Samarakoon as the creator of our national anthem but equally, or, rather, more importantly, he should be recognised and venerated as the originator of our genre of music ... , the other two great musicians, Sunil Shantha and Amaradewa advancing on what he created”

Unlike Sunil Shantha, who studied in Shanthinikethan and Bhatkhande for six years and Amaradewa, who studied in Bhatkhande for five years, Ananda Samarakoon spent only six months in Shantiniketan. Therefore, for all practical purposes, he was a self-taught musician, a superb one, at that. Sunil Shantha, whose life too was plagued by many a set-back, died on 11 April 1981, three days before his 66th birthday, of a ‘broken heart’ following the unexplained drowning of his youngest son in February 1981. Of the triumvirate responsible for creating the Sinhala genre of music, it was only Amaradewa who was fortunate and had a relatively comfortable life, living up to the age of 88 years.

Namo Namo Matha

“Namo Namo Matha” was not composed as a national anthem but was a spontaneous expression of joy. Some of us, fortunate enough to travel the world, every time we fly back and get from the sky, the first glimpse of the wonderful ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, is overwhelmed by its absolute beauty. Unlike us, the poet and lyricist in Ananda Samarakoon could not resist putting into music his emotions aroused by the unfolding vista, when he flew back from India in October 1940, the first time he had done so, having done previous journeys by train. He had a sleepless night and could sleep only after he finished composing ‘Namo Namo Matha’. He spoke for all of us when he penned: “Sundara Siribarini Surendi Ethi, Sobhamana Lanka. Dhanya Dhanaya Neka Mal Palaturu Piri Jayabhoomiya Ramya”

He was the music teacher in Mahinda College, Galle and got the children to sing it as a patriotic song, the cry for freedom being embedded in the line “Nava jeevana demine nevatha apa avadikaran Matha”, meaning ‘Awake us again for a new dawn”. He recorded it with Swarna de Silva in 1946 and it became an instant hit.
It was included, as the last song, in a book of songs he published under the title “Geetha Kumudini” and as he could not pay for printing, he sold the manuscript to the printer thus losing copyright, denying him the princely sum of Rs 2500, the government paid when it was adopted our National Anthem, six years later.

National Anthem

On the eve of Independence, the Gandharva Sabah organized a competition and appointed a committee to select the National Anthem. They chose “Sri Lanka Matha, Pala Yasa Mahima” over “Namo Namo Matha” but the public refused to accept it as the lyricist and the composer of the winning song were members of the selection committee. Favouritism is nothing new!

Though one of the regular columnists had indicated that it was a change of lyrics, these two songs are different. On the morning of 4th February 1948, though Radio Ceylon played “Sri Lanka Matha”, “God save the King” was played at the official ceremony, as it was still our National Anthem, together with “Namo Namo Matha” and “Sri Lanka Matha” as national songs.

Due to the ever-increasing popularity of “Namo Namo Matha”, in 1950 J R Jayewardene, who was the Minister of Finance, recommended to the government that it be adopted our National Anthem. The government did so on 22 November 1951 with a minor adaptation; “Nava jeevana demine newatha apa avadikaran Matha” being changed to “Nava jeevana demine nithina apa pubudu karan Matha”, as we had already got Independence. It was translated to Tamil by Mr M Nallathamby. Our real National Anthem, in Sinhala, was played for the first time during the Independence Day Celebration of 1952 and the Tamil version had been sung in Tamil speaking areas. Ananda Samarakoon had no objections to this minor change in lyrics or the translation to Tamil.

Change of title

Post-independence Sri Lanka had its’ own share of problems. DS died unexpectedly on 22nd March 1952 and SWRD was assassinated on 26th September 1959. No Prime minister could complete his term and there was something wrong with Independent Ceylon. Who is to be blamed? Experts started looking for a scapegoat and, very quickly, suspicion fell on the National Anthem as it was considered to have the wrong ‘Gana’. Apparently, ‘Gana’ is determined by the way the first three syllables are placed; how the long and short syllables occur. The first three syllables of the National Anthem, ‘na-mo-na’ are ‘short-long-short’, considered an inauspicious combination. Heated exchanges, just like the recent one, took place and Ananda Samarakoon expressed his total opposition to any change to the opening line he created.

Sirimavo Bandaranaike government changed “Namo Namo Matha” to “Sri Lanka Matha” in February 1961 without any consultation with Ananda Samarakoon, nor did they inform him of the change. Perhaps, there was no obligation, as the government had bought the royalties for the princely sum of Rs. 2,500. Looking back, the fortunes of the country did not improve with Sirimavo’s Government, in spite of this change. The only obvious result was killing the creator!

Yahapalana change

Yahapalana government’s decision to sing the Tamil version, as well, during Independence Celebrations was the next controversy. This, apparently, was an attempt at ‘reconciliation’. Did this controversial decision bring about the desired effect? That is the question most commentators have failed to address.

At the end of Yahapalanaya, is there any evidence of better reconciliation? All races and religions have lived peacefully in Sri Lanka for ages and if not for the racist politicians, who want divisions for survival, hardly any problems would arise. TNA, having subjugated themselves to the Tigers when they were powerful, propped up Yahapalanaya while trying to undermine the good name of the country, internationally, at every possible opportunity. The leader was rewarded with a luxurious residence with servants and cars for life! Wigneswaran, who lived in Colombo and attained highest levels in the judiciary, started his vituperative anti-Sinhala campaign under Yahapalanaya.

Considering these facts, it is not surprising that the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration is considering reverting to the previous status quo. We already have a translation of our National Anthem in Tamil, which could be sung in predominantly Tamil speaking areas. Therefore, the government should not give in to those who demand that our National Anthem should be only in Sinhala.There was a recent suggestion from someone, with a Muslim sounding name, that we should have English and Arabic versions too! Arabic, because Islamic scriptures are in Arabic, I presume. In that case, Buddhists can demand a Pali version! We have two national languages and we have our National Anthem in Sinhala with a Tamil translation. That should be more than enough!