Based on the much-acclaimed poem posted by Rohini Anandaraja on 2nd February.
This blog is about new entrants to the Colombo Medical Faculty of the University of Ceylon (as it was then known) in June 1962. There were a total of 166 in the batch (included 11 from Peradeniya).Please address all communications to: colmedgrads1962@gmail.com.You may bookmark this page for easier access later. Header image: Courtesy Prof. Rohan Jayasekara, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo (2011 - 2014). Please use the search bar using a key word to access what interests you
Wow!! I have no words to describe the magic of this brilliant composition. From the melody to the lyrics and the evocative imagery this is truly a masterpiece. It is so cleverly put together. I like the melancholic sound of the bagpipes and the ripples of the flute. The rich sound of the saxophones imitates the warm glow of the moon. I truly believe this piece of music should be more widely available to the general public. My heartfelt thanks to Mahendra for this lovely arrangement and the composition. The subtle magic of Rohini’s poem will continue to thrill us for many more years to come. The full moon will mean much more to us than ever before.
ReplyDeleteND, I am so pleased that you like it. I thoroughly enjoyed producing it and I was fortunate to have such lovely verses from Rohini which made all the difference. At the time I composed and produced it, Rohini's title of Reverie was not public, so to speak! But my Video is based on that I don't mind the way it came out as an Ode To The Moon. I hope Rohini who no doubt read the blog in time, will be happy witm my effort.
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOD ! Mahen, Iam lost for words !
ReplyDeleteJust trying to be sure Iam not still dreaming as it dawns here !
This music is divine and belongs in another realm- amongst the galaxies perhaps ( so pretty in your video) -
You have masterfully harmonized voice and several instruments - all of them blending so seemlessly and beautifully to produce this heavenly melody- so tranquil, soothing and very rich at the same time.
This is brilliant, and I feel so humbled and honored to have been incorporated
Into this.
Your brilliance as well as modesty know no bounds.
Please present this masterpiece with the composer’s name in the forefront.
The lyricist should come later if at all.
A stunningly beautiful composition -Iam overwhelmed ! thank you Mahen.
I am glad my surprise was worth the wait! You must take credit for providing the inspiration. It was great fun doing it and I am delighted that you and Nihal like it.
ReplyDeleteMahen, “like it” is the understatement of the millennium !
ReplyDelete“Enraptured” is more like it !
Thank you
Mahen, I am trying to find the appropriate adjectives to describe your composition. It is sublime! ethereal! Rohini may be the Muse who inspired you, but you came up with this beautiful, "other worldly" composition. I first listened while reading the poem and watching the images which was lovely. But listening to it all by itself is also an uplifting, soothing experience. You have an amazing gift for composing, but I am also impressed by your technical prowess to put all this together for all of us to enjoy. I am curious, did you pick out tunes on the piano when you were young (I know you didn't have your Yamaha) or is this creative ability something you have discovered more recently? I think people should be inspired by you and find creative outlets in their retirement years.
ReplyDeleteOne more question, Mahen, is this posted on YouTube? If Rohini is OK with it, I think you should post it!
ReplyDeleteSrianee, thank you so much for your kind comments. I must say that the more listen to the piece, the more I like it too! And the more I see it, the more I like i too! To answer your question, my sister was taught the piano and we had one at home. I loved the sound of it and just sat down and messed aboiut with it and found that if I knew the tune, I could play it. Graduating to use both hands was more difficult and I still remember the day I was able to first achieve it. I continued from thereon and mastered things like chords etc.
ReplyDeleteAs for being on YouTube, you will note on clicking on the picture, as the piece starts to play, you will see the YouTube symbol and if you click on that. YouTube will open on a new window. In any case, here is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvjP4Fp1s54
When I compose, I just get a tune in my head and go to the Keyboard and experiment with it using different styles, instruments, backing rhythms and change of tempo etc till I am happy with the song and then I play it again while recording it. I then copy it to an USB stick and use my computer software (Adobe Audition 3) to make a few changes such as introduce variations in volume, shorten it etc.Finally, I export it as a MP3 file.
I use a programme called Movie Maker 6 plus to do the video. I import all sorts of images I have and change their colour, exposure, brightness etc, I add titles, sub titles, text to accompany scenes, I add the music track and fuse everything together and produce the final video which I upload to YouTube as that is the easiest way of sharing. It is time consuming but most enjoyable!
There are many Movie maker programmes and Windows itself has a Movie Maker which is free. They all have slightly different attributes but are basically similar.
So there it is! Thanks again.
Mahen, thank you for the technical details. Someday perhaps I will understand it all! I am learning a lot now that I have time. To create something beautiful, whether it be art, poetry, literature, music, one has to spend time and exercise patience. Thank you for creating this beautiful piece of music - so different from "Move it Man!"
DeleteMahen, I knew that ‘juggling’ it all had to be very complicated, and enjoyed reading the details.
DeleteYou are truly multitalented.
I have been told, and also believe that true musical talent lies in being able to play music ‘by ear’ as you have been doing.
It is still more commendable when you are able to compose and play music of several genres so well.
This is the YouTube link.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvjP4Fp1s54
Mahen, you have given life to some beautiful lyrics from Rohini. Lovely effort and a soothing end product.
ReplyDeleteia
Indra, thanks for your appreciation. I do love doing this type of stuff!
DeleteRohini and Mahendra, It's sublime, it's ethereal! It's like from an A1 film. You both could easily use your talents in a big film. It's so beautiful, I am speechless, well words fail me I mean. I know it is Nihal's encouragement that made Rohini to write this masterpiece. So, it shows that Nihal can get the best out of people. We in the batch are truly proud of you three and I know I speak for all when I say that. Don't stop there please let us enjoy more reminiscing on the mysteries of nature. All the best in future endeavours, from Zita
ReplyDeleteThanks Zita. I know how creative you are too and a poem from you is eagerly awaited by us all.
DeleteZita
ReplyDeleteI take no credit for this masterpiece. That should go to Rohini and Mahen. It just goes to show the written word is more effective than a verbal harangue or even a twist of the arm in getting things done. The old adage "The pen is mightier than the sword" still rings true.
Zita, Neither can I take any credit for this wonderful composition in spite of the ‘lyrics’. The beauty of it lies entirely in Mahen’s awesome, original music and the way he has put everything together.
ReplyDeleteI feel very humbled that he has got me in there!!
This is Zita, who is not called the late Zita for nothing! Nihal and Rohini, I get what you mean, but I do accept that encouragement and giving ideas itself to capable people like Rohini, stirs some inner genius in them to produce original work. So this is another function of this Blog, i.e. to stir us into action, stimulate those sleeping Bets cells in our brains.(Hope my year 2 anatomy, still holds!) So let us get our colleagues especially the dormant but highly intelligent and capable ones into action! Zita
ReplyDeleteThis is Zita, at the end of the month of February. It's never too late to comment, I know. During the past two weeks a lot happened and I have been away from the blog for a bit but I kept sending the link of the Ode to the Moon presentation to my family and friends. I wish I could publish them all here, but suffice it to say, that it was met with great appreciation, great admiration and all had something good to say. So this is to say 'Well done' to the idea givers, author, arranger, player and in short Blog 1962! More of this type of thing please! Zita
ReplyDeleteThanks Zita. This composition, backed by the mesmerising lyrics by Rohini, has been one of the most satisfying creative things I have ever done. To date it has had 108 views which is pretty good (not hit the heights of my YouTube rendition of "Yesterday, today and tomorrow" (Nim Him sewa tune)which has a staggering hit number of 20,145 views!- I know I am boasting). I agree that music has healing powers as well. Long live music!
ReplyDeleteJust out of interest, "Yesterday Today and Tomorrow" was posted by me as a Creative spot item (July 25th 2015),and had only 1 comment - yes, you guessed correct, it was by ND!
Delete