The living legend of Sri Lankan music, Padma Shri Pandit Amaradeva, was felicitated by the High Commission of India at a ceremony organized by High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha on Monday, 27 June 2011 at India House. The felicitation was in recognition of Pandit Amaradeva’s outstanding and unique contribution to enriching India-Sri Lanka relations through the promotion of music.

A musical prodigy who learnt his art from Pandit V.G. Jog and later from Dr. Ratnajaikar of the Bhatkande Institute in India, Pandit Amaradeva drew inspiration from classical Indian ragas as well as Sri Lanka's own rich traditions of folk music and went on to create a music that is quitessentially Sri Lankan. The only Sri Lankan citizen to have been conferred the Padma Shri award by the Government of India, Pandit Amaradeva's citation for the award noted that he was being honoured in recognition of his unique role as the voice of Sri Lanka’s musical soul.

The event organized to felicitate him at India House was attended by Hon’ble Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation, Hon’ble Prof. G.L Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, Hon’ble Mr. Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Minister of National Languages and Social Integration and Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President. The event also brought together a number of Pandit Amaradeva's colleagues and luminaries from Sri Lanka’s public and cultural life. Speakers at the event paid glowing tributes to Pandit Amaradeva. In his remarks, Dr. Amunugama called the felicitation an emotional moment for him as his friend of over 50 years was being re-honoured by India. He shared a number of delightful anecdotes from the times that both had spent together and underlined his role in single handedly creating Sinhala music, calling him a real "man of the people". Prof. Peiris too highlighted different aspects of Pandit Amaradeva’s personality and acknowledged his ability to work with others and bringing out the best from them. He noted that his partnerships with other famous musician had enriched Sri Lanka and its music, adding that he had truly lived up to his name in being an "immortal god" of music. Mr. Nanayakkara called Pandit Amaradeva’s music as one that transcended all barriers, complimenting him for his ability to absorb influences from other cultures and for acting as a bridge in the relations between India and Sri Lanka.

In his address, High Commissioner Kantha called Pandit Amaradeva as an embodiment of the finest traditions of symbiotic exchange that has characterized cultural interface between India and Sri Lana over the centuries. He said that the silent but enormously powerful give and take between India and Sri Lanka over countless centuries in the fields of dance, music, literature and other art forms had been mutually enriching and provided the civilizational bedrock to our relationship. It was important to keep this bigger picture of India-Sri Lanka relations in mind and not get distracted by odd discordant notes on any particular day. Pandit Amaradeva was the living embodiment of how India and Sri Lanka mutually enriched each other.

Pandit Amaradeva was presented a felicitation plaque by the High Commissioner. Mrs. Sharmila Kantha honoured Pandit Amaradeva and Mrs. Wimla Amaradeva by presenting them with shawls. The evening concluded with a spellbinding rendition of music by Pandit Amaradeva and his daughter, Ms. Subhani Amaradeva.