His charismatic nature sends some kind of an aura through the crowd, which creates a magnetic sensation, and his powerful voice which comes from deep within, marks his personality. His ability to call a spade a spade is something that we do not often see in the Sri Lankan society these days, and he takes criticism as another way of doing better and climbing further up the success ladder. The moment you listen to that beautiful medley ‘’Nadee ganga tharanaye’’ which was released 21 years ago, still captures our hearts and pumps up our adrenaline, our heart beat faster and all the energy vibes start running, thus making us feel enthusiastic and asking us to” go for it”. Taken out from the jimmy cliff’s original, ‘’ many rivers to cross’’ and released in 1998, it made a landmark in the Sri Lankan music history taken as one of the most iconic songs with sung with Sinhala lyrics, with a hard rock / Metal accompanied by a Bluesy touch. This veteran musician creates music to inspire and motivate people, thus bringing a difference and making each song he sings or composes turn to a work of art. That’s what makes him so unique as a musician and stands out from the rest off the crowd. There’s a lot the present generation learn from this international rock icon, and he is none other than the legendary Chitral “Chity” Somapala, always and forever.
As an international rock sensation, he has worked with many bands such as Power Quest, Fire Wind, Avalon, Faro, Domain and also the front man of his own bands Civilization one and Red Circuit. He also conquered the Cinema industry by showing his exemplary skills in music in Chandran Rutnams film, “Me wage Adarayak” Priyantha Colombage’s “Adaraneeya Kathawak “Ashoka Handagama’s Age Asa Aga” ( Let her cry) and as the music director in several other films. Chity released many memorable hits such as “Miringuwa Parada”, “Dambulu Gale” (Re make), “Man Adarei”, “Vilpaththuwe”, “Dreams of Fire”, “Believing the dream” ( Cricket World Cup 2011), to name a few. His success as a musician was not offered to him on a silver platter; but it came with years of hard work, dedication, experience and commitment.
Born to a famous singing duo, the late P.L.A and Chitra Somapala, obviously music was in his blood, and he showed signs of a promising music career, as early as age 10, when he first learnt the guitar. During his schooldays he was also a good sportsman, playing Hockey, Soccer and Cricket for Isipathana College, Colombo, but at the end he chose what he always wanted to do – becoming a musician. Expressing his views on his latest release, “Sinhalokaye Sinhaya”, and also about the music industry in general, Chitral joined us for a chat, despite his busy schedule.
Q: So tell us about your latest details of your music career these days.
A: I have started a new international rock project ‘THE SIGN’ in Sweden with the former Hammerfall bassist Magnus Rosen, the rest we have a talented musicians in the project who have been in the session field for more than 25 years, we are writing our own material at the moment and planning to release a single ‘The Land Gone Dark’ a composition of mine about the tragic terror situation took place in Sri Lanka lately and we have planned to raise it as a fund for all the victims and their families.
Q: What inspired you to be a musician and to select music?
A: Rock is very special and I always wanted to be different from others doing something different.
Q: What was the support from your family like, in making your decision?
A: I didn’t have any obligations; my parents advice was be careful from the jealousy of others.
Q: Do you think the local music industry scene has a long way to go, compared with the international music industry scene?
A: Indeed! I’m very critical about it, first of all we don’t have internationally related record labels and for that we need to collaborate with other countries in the world, Our people are so close minded and arrogant for some reason, Politically we are corrupted, we need to stop piracy, we need to have a specific control on illegal downloads via internet, we have become slaves without any confidence to the entire world, people may blame me but I don’t care, this is all because lack of being open minded to the world culture.
Q: You are mostly known as a globally acclaimed rock artist. How do you feel about also switching on to classical music alongside rock music?
A: I do have classical influences in my music cos. Rock is coming from a classical background.
Q: How was the response for your recent single, “Sinhalokaye Sinhaya” and what is the audience do you think embraced it most?
A: The song itself has a positive vibe but there are jealous musicians think that it was done for an advertising purpose who are lack in their creativity, they’ve got no backbone at all, The Eye Specialist and National Title Winner Athlete Dr.Pandula Basnayake sent me a message saying I was able to win the national title after listening to it, he said that gave him the courage after hearing those words, I meet a lot of people when I go for performances and after having few conversations I felt these people have lost their confidence and courage all because of politics, so I need to give them some motivation and I decided to get hold of kelum srimal to write lyrics according to my idea and he did it, I did the entire production in Europe having Hussain Jiffry – Bass, Chandresh Kudwa – Guitar and Oscar Seaton Jr. on Drums, It’s an International Line Up, I did the rest arranging, singing and playing the keyboards on it.
Q: I believe the story behind releasing the song was very unique. Can you tell us a bit about it?
A: To give courage and confidence to all those believers in dirty politics and have lost their mind believing lies.
Q: You seem to get criticized for your way of creating music and being westernized. Do you think Sri Lankans are being a way too traditional and backward?
A: We’ve been always westernized as a family, We’ve been thought to be open-minded, In my younger days I remember my parents friends/musicians were all westernized people, I can’t help that certain people have been bullied by politicians to be nationalists, I feel sorry for them cos. They are losers, I won’t change, I shall always be Chitral Somapala who I have been and still, Nationalists should consult immediate physiological help I must say.
Q: You also worked as a music director for several films like “Let her cry”, “Dedunu Akase” and “Me wage adarayak” what was your experience like, working under different film directors?
A: With Certain Directors I got along and with certain ones NO, My argument is the director should not get involved in the music department, A director is a person who should look for the picture and not for the sound, If you’d look at the international film industry they have a special department for music to take care of, in Sri Lanka Director wants to be the Jack of All Trades, That doesn’t work but That’s our downfall, But I must say after few arguments we have come to certain agreements so it still does work but that’s not the correct rule though.
Q: Do you have any inspirational figures when it comes to the music scene?
A: A lot but Frank Zappa is my favorite cos. He did not give a damn about anything.
Q: You recently held a solo concert called “Lalitha Kala” which was based on your parents’ songs. Do you hope to continue with it as a concert series?
A: It was great, a very special crowd, a decent crowd and of course I shall continue.
Q: What are the techniques you would focus on when composing a melody or a song?
A: So many, I never sit on the instrument without an idea cos. I don’t wanna jam and confuse my mind, I need to be focused and clear what I’m gonna produce.
Q: What would be your advice to those who wish to enter the music scene?
A: Get yourself educated in humanity and respect others.
Q: Finally, how would you describe yourself in a nutshell?
A: I’ll always be CHITRAL “CHITY” SOMAPALA
Written by Sureshni Pilapitiya
Go Ahead, you are great.