M. K. Rocksamy

M. K. Rocksamy (19321988) was a prolific Sri Lankan musician and music director.

Rocksamy was born on September 13, 1932 to a musical family and initially learned to play the tabla and the saxophone. Rocksamy is credited with introducing the saxophone to the Sinhala Oriental Music Orchestra of Radio Ceylon. He turned his attention to the violin after taking lessons on Carnatic music under teacher Sangaralingam.[1] He joined Radio Ceylon as a violinist in 1953 and participated in several of R. A. Chandrasena's programs. His first recording with the organization is said to be a guitar part on a Susil Premaratne song.[2]

Rocksamy became involved in film work after coming in contact with R. Muttusamy of the Sundera Murugan Studio in Kandana. Rocksamy was asked to contribute to the soundtrack of several films made at the studio beginning with Bandara Nagarayata Pemineema (1952). In 1962, he got the opportunity to play a bigger role directing three songs for Shanthi Kumar's Sansare after its original music director B. S. Perera died.[2]

Rocksamy was in demand as a music director after the success of his work on Sansare. Over the following 25 years he would oversee the soundtracks for Suhada Sohoyuro (1963), Dheewarayo, Chandali (1964), Sonduru Yuwala, Sakaya (1965), Kapatikama (1966), Ran Rasa (1967), Singithi Surathal (1968), Athma Puja, Ohoma Hondada (1970), Hara Lakshe (1971), Edath Suraya Adath Suraya (1972), Siril Malli (1975), Kawuda Raja, Harim Badu Thunak (1976), Sakuntala, Deviyani Oba Koheda (1977), Ponmani, Tikira, Apsara (1978), Kiri Suwada (1982) and Raththaran Kanda (1985).[2]

Rocksamy married singer Indrani S. Elias on November 24, 1967. They had three children; Jeevan Augustin, Anna Radika and Anjala Devika. Rocksamy died on November 20, 1988.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Perera, Mahesh (2006). "Virtuoso musician". Sunday Observer. http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2006/12/03/spe09.asp. Retrieved 21 February 2009. 
  2. ^ a b c "Rocksamy". Rupavahini. 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Pz5ptvxnU. Retrieved 21 February 2009.