Neela Dasa Pura

Your deep blue eyes, reaching beyond a world of dreams
Dark locks flowing gently, you are my beloved
Across lifetimes, we came together, bound by timeless vows
Even if you leave unexpectedly, you are still my beloved

The sweet fragrance of you touches the surface of my heart
From a past life, I once felt such gentle comfort
Across lifetimes, we came together, bound by timeless vows
Even if you leave unexpectedly, you are still my beloved

Your deep blue eyes, reaching beyond a world of dreams
Dark locks flowing gently, you are my beloved

You and I, like two petals fallen in different places
I wish for a day in this life when we may be together again
Across lifetimes, we came together, bound by timeless vows
Even if you leave unexpectedly, you are still my beloved

Your deep blue eyes, reaching beyond a world of dreams
Dark locks flowing gently, you are my beloved

“Neela Dasa Pura,” sung by the legendary H. R. Jothipala with lyrics by Karunaratne Abeysekera and music by Sarath Dasanayake, is a deeply poetic love song that captures the essence of love across lifetimes. The song’s beauty lies not just in its melody, but in its expression of eternal longing, spiritual connection, and the unspoken belief that some loves transcend time itself.

At its core, this song speaks to a love so profound that it lingers in the soul through dreams, through memories, and even through the quiet ache of separation. The repeated phrase “maa obe pembaraa” – “I am your beloved” – echoes like a vow that the heart refuses to break, no matter how far apart the two lovers may be.

The imagery in this song is soft and powerful at once. The “deep blue eyes” that carry the weight of dreams, the locks of hair that flow like whispers of the past, and the presence of a fragrance that touches the heart – all speak of someone who is remembered not just visually, but emotionally and spiritually. This is not about someone simply being missed. It’s about someone being felt, as if they are still close even in absence.

There’s also the idea of “sasare ekata saraa” – the path through the cycle of existence taken together. It draws from the Buddhist understanding of samsara, the continuous cycle of birth and rebirth. The lyricist suggests that this bond isn’t new. It’s ancient. It’s one carried from a past life into this one. The kind of love that, even if interrupted, finds its way back.

And yet, the song doesn’t deny the pain of parting. The lines recognize that separation happens – suddenly, without warning – but the devotion remains untouched. The heart holds onto the promise that even if they are now in “two different places,” a reunion may still come in this life.

This song is not about heartbreak. It’s about enduring love. Love that survives distance, time, and even silence. It’s the kind of love many people feel but few can express, and this composition gives it a voice that is both elegant and raw.

“Neela Dasa Pura” is more than a romantic ballad. It’s a reflection on soulmates, destiny, and emotional resilience. With Jothipala’s warm voice carrying the melody and Abeysekera’s words painting a dreamscape of longing, this song stands as one of the most touching expressions of love in Sinhala music – a reminder that true connection does not end, even when the people do part.