He is Victor Rathnayake ( වික්ටර් රත්නායක )
In the history of Sri Lankan music, Dr. Victor Ratnayake stands as an undefeated titan who successfully bridged the gap between rigid classical compositions and popular youth culture. Emerging in an era where audiences were divided between the classical fine arts of Pandit W.D. Amaradeva and mainstream commercial melodies, Victor created a brand-new musical ecosystem. With his profound vocal range, flawless selection of high-standard lyrics, and revolutionary instrumentation, he became the ultimate icon of Sri Lankan semi-classical music.
Early Life and the Roots of Melody
Victor Ratnayake was born on February 18, 1942, in the scenic city of Kandy, home to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic. He was the third child in a massive family of ten children born to Ratnayake Arachchilage Don James, an apothecary serving the State Pharmaceuticals, and Abeykoon Mayadunnelage Sumanawathi. The family resided in the rural town of Kandangama in Kadugannawa.
Victor’s introduction to music was highly influenced by his family and surroundings. His immediate younger brother, Somapala Ratnayake, became a highly renowned music composer for film and television. During his childhood, Victor was fascinated by the Hindi and Tamil film songs playing in temporary tents on the Municipal Council grounds. On Sundays, he loved accompanying his mother to the weekly flea market, captivated by the live performances of Dolki drummers and Japanese Mandolin players. Upon returning home, young Victor would beat on hollow metal devices to recreate those rhythms, while his elder brother Wilfred provided the backup rhythm, showcasing Victor's natural-born vocal gifts.
The Professional Breakthrough
Victor formally entered professional playback singing on July 6, 1963. His first recorded song was "Devangana Paradana Komala Katha", featured in the popular radio drama "Manichora". The track was written by lyricist Piyasena Kosta and composed by the legendary R.A. Chandrasena, marking the beginning of a golden era.
"Matara Aachchi" and the Cinematic Revolution
Although Victor composed music for a handful of films across his career, his film scores were exceptionally rich in diversity. His cinematic debut as an original music director came with Sathischandra Edirisinghe’s directorial masterpiece, "Matara Aachchi" (1972). This landmark film rewrote the history of Sinhala cinema by introducing monumental talents:
Sunil Edirisinghe’s Arrival: The film marked the legendary debut of Sunil Edirisinghe through the immortal song "Sandakada Pahanaka Katayam Obala". Victor's inter-music compositions transformed Sunil, who was an amateur with no previous recordings, into an overnight sensation.
Iconic Collaborations: The film featured the duet "Sandun Sihina Sihil Anduna" by Victor and Sujatha Attanayake, marking the first time Professor Sunil Ariyaratne wrote a film song duet. It also featured the timeless classic "Andura Bindinnata Rayak Dawalu" penned by Premakeerthi de Alwis, and the hit theme song "Ran Dedunu Ran Patin Weluna" performed by Milton Mallawarachchi.
Screen Debuts: It marked Wally Nanayakkara’s debut as a lyricist and the official screen introduction of veteran actress Swarna Mallawarachchi.
Crafting Hits for Legends: The Composer Genius
Victor Ratnayake’s genius as a composer is reflected in the massive catalogue of songs he crafted for other legendary artists, completely transforming their musical dimensions:
Pandit W.D. Amaradeva: Kumariyaka Pa Salamba Seluna, Bamara Patikki, Keheliya Nalale Anjana Thilake.
Nanda Malini: Mata Maw Padaviya, Ran Muwa Polo Thale, Arunalokaya Atharin, Deno Dahak Nuwan Athare.
Milton Mallawarachchi: Sundarathwayen Piri, Dineka Ransalu Palandha, Upul Kopul.
H.R. Jothipala & M.S. Fernando: Raja Kirulu Palandapu (Jothi) and Upan Hada Wiye (M.S. Fernando - a brilliant fusion of local music and Baila art).
Other Icons: Masterpieces for Chitra Somapala (Sigiriye Katapath Pawure), Milton Perera (Dethun Wathawak Oba Amathuwemi), Sujatha Attanayake (Dethanaka Thibunath Eka Mal), Abeywardena Balasuriya (Piyaneni Ma, Ganga), Edward Jayakody (Bari Bara Hindayi), and Neela Wickramasinghe (Susata Baraninf).
Comedy & Children's Tracks: He masterfully composed massive hits for Freddy Silva, including Pan Kiritta Thakkita Tharikita, Diya Yata Wiskam, Gini Bola Karaya, and Kundumani.
Technical Innovation and the "SA" Concert Phenomenon
In the 1970s, radio recordings were limited to basic orchestra setups like the Tabla, Flute, Violin, and Sitar. Influenced by North Indian Ragadhari music, folk melodies, Western classical, and Karnataka music, Victor drastically modernised this setup. He became the first Sri Lankan artist to boldly introduce Western orchestral instruments like the Oboe, Clarinet, Jazz drums, Hawaiian Guitar, and Accordion into mainstream Sinhala music.
He masterfully used specific instruments to evoke raw emotions:
Rabana in Kurullanta Gee Gayanna
Thammattama in Api Okkoma Rajawaru
Pahatharata Beraya in Edanden Piya Maninu Epa
Udekkiya in Muthu Warusawata Themila
Dolkiya & Accordion in Podi Kumari Hamine
Acoustic Guitar in Daiwayogayakin
Before Victor, classical programs on the radio failed to grab the attention of the younger generation. However, Victor launched his legendary solo concert series, "SA" (ස). The concert swept across the country like a wildfire, attracting hundreds of thousands of adolescents and youngsters, successfully popularising classical music formats among the masses.
Diverse Themes and Cinematic Accolades
Victor’s musical canvas covered a wide array of themes. He is celebrated for singing some of the most popular Buddhist devotional tracks after Mohideen Baig, including Devram Wehere, Budu Hamuduruwo Api Thawath, and Ama Dahara Diya Gala Gala. He sang about profound social issues (Amma Nathi Mata), brotherly love (Dukgannaralayi Nuba Loku Aiyandi), fatherly devotion, and deep romance (Pinibara Malak Wage, Sina Dolak Wan).
His film music direction for movies like Sarungale (featuring the Carnatic-infused Isuru Dewindu Umayangana) and Hulavali (Kuda Game Maddahane) earned him critical acclaim. He won the prestigious Best Film Music Director Award for Sunil Ariyaratne's film Siribo Aiya, sharing stage honours with Amaradeva and Nanda Malini. With a stellar career spanning over several decades, Dr. Victor Ratnayake remains the undefeated maestro, a true thinker, and the timeless heartbeat of Sri Lankan music.
Victor Rathnayake Song List
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