Rise of ignorance as the bliss of politics

Light Refractions 
By Lucien Rajakarunayake

There was plenty of proof that ignorance is bliss in the largely uninformed criticism of Kishani Jayasinghe and even rude attacks on her for that special rendition of "Danno Budungey" at the recent Independence Day ceremonies. The ignorance was mainly in not knowing that "Danno Budungey" had been sung many years before the currently known and popular Amaradewa version of the song – way back in the first quarter of the last century, at the Siri Sangabo Natakaya, at Tower Hall.

What I am more interested now is about the current forms of "Danno" that are taking place, which have nothing with "Budungey" but the names that keep popping up in the headlines of the news today.

It was only last month that we heard the song inviting President Maithripala Sirisena to be enthroned as the new King Sirisena of Polonnaruwa, which the President’s Office quickly disassociated with, after it was telecast on a State TV channel several times. With the President’s current visit to Germany and Austria, there could be attached commentators on foreign affairs, who may tell us the President was greeted with a "Danno Sirisena" done in German operatic style, and that Angela Merkel had enjoyed it so much, she wanted a "Danno Anjela" also composed to help regain her fast dwindling popularity.

"Dannno" singing is gaining the top slot in the politics of entertainment today, with rival notes and verses being heard, especially about the divisions that are widening in the SLFP. With "danno danithi" or "the knowing do know", being the theme of the singing, there are not so melodious chants about the Sirisena – Rajapaksa rivalry and the emergence of a new political party led by Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Of course the former president must certainly be missing that highly overplayed "Maha Rajaaneni" that filled our radio and TV channels after the defeat of the LTTE, under his presidential reign. He must also be wondering what happened to that "Appachchi", which was the theme song for his failed re-election campaign, after which there were even crude obituary statements about the political "appachchi" or father.

There are some regular ‘Danno" singers in the politics of today with the lead position on the Government’s blue side held by that defeated Es Bee from the Kandyan region, who sang loud about stripping a women political leader naked, and until recently was a choir leader of the pro-Mahinda political choristers. He has completely changed his tune today, now being minister, and is full of "danuma" or knowledge about why Mahinda Rajapaksa should not cause a break of the SLFP. He also chants advice on how the Rajapaksas should have brought up their children, when they were holding the reins of power, and save at least one from the clasp of remand prison.

Of course, there are "danno" singers on the other side of the political divide too, trying to be the chorus voice of a Joint Opposition, which seems to be having more problems with its joints, making it tough being being joined for too long. Udaya Gammanpila is very much a lead singer throwing new lines and tunes every day with a hardly hidden plea for Mahinda Rajapaksa to give them leadership. Another voice that keeps moving up and down on that side is that of Wimal Weerwansa – who also makes loud laments calling for a Rajapaksa leadership.

A surprising singer in that quarter is Dinesh Gunawardena, who moved to a completely new tune in politics, with a rhythm to the dashing of coconuts invoking divine curses on the government and the release of the young Rajapaksa from remand prison. His melody was "pol-pol-pol" very different favourite song with those words, but one that brought out the sound of dashing coconuts, and a new style in Sinhala music of the curse. His work marked the rising tide of nutty politics in the country.

There are "danno" singers of the political green belt, too, with a band of "Ranil Danno" featuring Akila Viraj, Sajith Premadasa, Kolonnawe Mohamed and others, who see no political evil in whatever Ranil does today, and are so full of chants of praise for the megapolis, despite its many dangers, and foreign investments that somehow escape the sight of the public.

Of late Ranil himself has come out as a "danno" voice of strength, not only in defence of Kishani Jayasinghe’s soprano rendition of "Danno Budungey", but also singing tough and warning verses to the GMOA about doctors being involved with business politics, and to journalists who he says were once supportive of the Rajapaksa Regime.

We are fast moving into the new trend in political solo and group singing. It is political rivalry presented in song, chant and nut-cracker melodies - with the public knowing little of the truth that will take time to reveal. All of this brings out the rise of ignorance as the bliss of politics.