‘Kalasoori’ Dr Arunthathi Sriranganathan is no more. She was a versatile and unique artiste who had contributed immensely to the art circle and to the artistes in Sri Lanka. Uniqueness of Dr. Arunthathi Sriranganathan was that she integrated all artistes from different languages, ethnicities and different regions in her journey of enhancing the fine arts in Sri Lanka. Recognizing her immense contribution made to the fine arts Sri Lanka Government has awarded her with the prestigious title ‘Kalasoori’ when the title was introduced for the first time in the Island. Her creations in the dance form combining Tamil and Sinhala artistes were praiseworthy.
She had done a significant number of performances with the Tamil and Sinhala artistes at a time when the country was divided by ethnic strife with the political forces trying to destabilize the reconciliation in the country. Therefore Dr. Arunthathy Sriranganathan could be considered a great artiste who had done her part by creating a reconciled Sri Lankan society by bringing all artistes from different ethnicities and preserving as well as promoting their indigenous dances in a remarkable way. She had even allocated the ground floor area of her a big house in Wellawatte to train her students and the area she lived remained with full of music and dance for the appreciation of neighborhood .
Sri Renganathan was born on February 24, 1946 in Jaffna. She is the youngest of five daughters. The family that Arunthathy Sri Ranganathan hails from, is a family of academics and artistes. She had a graduated from the Peradeniya University with
specializing in Economics. From her child hood onwards , she showed a great interest in music and dance and learnt Carnatic music (singing) under the tutelage of Master Anthony from Kerala and Veena under Maestro Mrs. Raju from Andhra Pradesh. She was also a disciple of Ms.Balasundari Pradalingam ( Kalakshethra) and a disciple of Maestro Maharajapuram Santhanam in Vocal, and Maestro Kalyana Krishna bagawathar in veena from South India.
Dr. Arunthathi Sri Ranganathan’s family members were ardent devotees of the saint of Jaffna Yogar Swamigal. When she was a young girl she was taken to Yogar Swami’s spiritual hut in Colombuthurai, Jaffna with her other sisters. Yogar listening to them singing spiritual songs had blessed them and said that they would do well in future. In Colombo Dr.Arunthathy had even released a set of audio cassettes of the songs rendered by saint Yogar whe she was the Director Tamil service at the SLBC. The songs known as Natchinthanai songs ( songs of good thoughts).
Kalasuri Desha Nethru Arunthathy Sri Ranganathan is one of the pioneers in the field of Broadcasting in Sri Lanka. She commenced career at Sri Lankan Broadcasting Corporation in the SLBC’s Tamil Service as Program Producer in 1974. She climbed the career ladder in the field of Broadcasting by sheer dint of perseverance and hard work. At SLBC, she became Program Controller in 1979, then Director (Music) in 1984 and finally, she served as the Director (Tamil Service) in 1994. A significant milestone in her career at SLBC was her launching of 10 CDs on the SLBC’75th anniversary celebration. She is one of Sri Lanka’s best known cultural ambassadors who forged an important cultural links among diplomatic community in Sri Lanka and represented Sri Lanka at diverse international cultural festivals. She has script- written and composed music for over 20 dance dramas such as Ashta Lakshmi, Ramayana, Sakuntala, Nala Damayanthi, Anbesivam, Thanjaur Big Temple and Skanda Lila. She has contributed substantially to enrich the contemporary music by making compositions based on Varnam, Padam, Kirtanam and Tillana.
Arunthathy Sri Ranganathan is a highly respected Sri Lankan artist who is capable of bringing together Sri Lankan artists of diverse races and ethnicities on to a common platform. She has made a lasting contribution to promoting national reconciliation through performing Arts. She pioneered in producing a batch of first ever Sinhala graduates in Carnatic music. Arunthathy Sri Ranganathan is the only Sri Lankan Tamil artiste who was honored with honorary titles such as Kalasoori , Vishva Prasadini, Desha Nethru and Kalai Semmal.
Arunthathy Sri Renganathan founded Aru Sri Art Theatre in 2004 to promote the visual and performing arts Nationally and Internationally. The vision of Arunthathy is to develop the theatre as a place where traditional art forms can flourish alongside contemporary interpretations and to carry age old traditions into the new millennium. Arunthathy with her theatre has travelled widely, performing in prestigious festivals, around the globe, and collaborated with many International organisations. Arunthathy has been the most sought after artiste to sing for Bharathanatyam recitals and Arangetrams for more than four decades locally and abroad. She has sung for almost 98 percent of dancers in Sri Lanka. Dr . Arunthathy Sri Renganathan has not only enriched the rich cultural landscape of the nation but also effectively promoted national reconciliation through Arts and Culture.
Dr. Arunthahy Sri Ranganathan passed away in Sydney , Australia spending the last lap of her life with her children and family members. Dr.Arunthathy Sri Ranganathan will be remembered forever by all artistes beyond their languages and ethnicities in Sri Lanka and even by her admirers throughout the world.
May Dr. Arunthathy Sri Ranganathan’s soul Rest In Peace.
Om Shanthi
