SRILANKAN MUSIC

Henry Caldera

2009-11-17T12:51:00.000-08:00

Henry Caldera

Henry Caldera (August 191937–October 11, 2006 (aged 69)) was a Sri Lankan Singer/Songwriter/Musician.

Caldera was born on August 191937. He went completely blind at 14 and attended Seeduwa Deaf and Blind school. Caldera became a radio artist in 1968 and had his first hit song with Thara Petia in 1972. He released a four song album in 1977.During his lifetime he released three audio cassettes and two CD's. Most of the songs that he sang were Solos. Most of his songs are children's songs and many are based on true experiences. Caldera sang for his own children and as well as for his grand children.

In 1979 the then Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranasinghe Premadasa, donated a house for Caldera to live in. In the year 1993 he was felicitated with a Kala Bhushan award (the second highest award granted by the state for performing artists). During his lifetime he was felicitated by several universities (student bodies)and non governmental organisations in appreciation of his service to folk music.

Here are some of the songs which placed top place in Sri Lankan music.

1. Thara Patiya - (Song for Chindren) 2. Penuna Suwa Dasun - (Song about love and being not told by his partner that 'I LOVE YOU') 3. Midule Sudu Weli Thalaye 4. Eeye Udaye 5. Lanka Mage Lanka 6. Mokada Nago (Duet) 7. Pemin Bandennai 8. Oba Pewa Hasarella 9. Sisila Sendaewe 10. Kana Widina Wele 11. Mal Natu Weni 12. Andannepa Amme 13. Samanala Siripa 14. Melowa Thibena 15. Suhadiniye 16. Kanda Udin (Duet) 17. Mage somi sanda 18. Deva Meniyane 19. Nahawa rasa kiri powa 20. Hinaweyan sudu saman male 21. Gayakayanani 22. Mawage malagama 23. Malli (Duet) 24. Sanahase sihil nille (Duet) 25. Budu Piye

Caldera firmly believed that art is art and nothing could buy an artist and held on to that till he breathed his last breath.

Caldera had four children with his wife who was also blind. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2004 and died on 11 October 2006.

Champa Kalhari

2009-11-17T12:45:00.000-08:00

Champa Kalhari

Born - 21/03/1974 in Colombo
Job Titles- Actor,Singer,Radio Announcer,Television presenter
Family - Father: A Prominent Musician
Education- Visaka Vidyalaya, Colombo

Champa Kalhari Jayasekara stepped into the music world in 1981 in a SLBC programme called "Lama Pitiya" at the age of 8 years. after that she was invited to several programmes. she got through the selection test conducted by Radio ceylon in 1980. Mr. Shanthi Dissanayake came to her house after she sang the song "Sri Lanka Ma Prriyadara Jaya Bhoomi" by Latha Mangeshkar and offered her a chance to enter Lama Pitiya program.

She became popular because she sang Hindi Songs. Her first cassette was called "Sathire". The road she travelled in was not a bed of roses but a bush of thorns. She has released more than fifteen cassettes and most of them are Hindi Songs.

Her dream was to be a doctor, that was not fulfilled. However she is happy that she is a singer.

She is one of the talented and popular singers in Sri Lanka. She also performed as a Play back female singer in sinhala movies. She resides in Piliyandala and presently she is in abroad. She produced a singhala audio disc comprising 16 songs. She studied music in India. She has been enjoying fame and popularity since she was a tiny tot. Her melodious voice, and her talent to sing Hindi songs has brought her a lot of fans young and old. Champa Kalhari, the young lady with the tinkling voice! Having conquered the music world, it made her to move on to test the business arena.

She launched her business shortly. Since she knew music, she thought of engaging in a business to make cassettes and distribution of the same.

Some time back she sang Sinhalese songs in Hindi. She wanted to do something new. therefore with the permission of veterans Gunadasa Kapuge, Dayaratne Ranatunga and Sanath Nandasiri she sang their songs in Hindi. She is really grateful to them for giving permission and helping her achieve her goal.

Champa in addition to singing she is an actress and an announcer. It was by coincidence that she was entered the teledrama world. She has acted about thirteen teledramas. She thinks the announcing offer came since she sings Hindi songs. She was the announcer for the program Hindi Top Ten aired by Sri FM on Sundays. In the future, if she gets good programs she will continue announcing. She loves her fans very much and it was very difficult her to leave her fans when she was leaving.

Her Comments about her Original Cassette and Compact disk "Sanda Sarasi" " Releasing this cassette took a lot of time an effort because I had to devote a lot of time to select some good songs and the songs are on a new theme."

She spends her leisure time traveling distant places.

Click following links for her songs
At the age of 12 she sang the song "Sri Lanka" which was originally sung by Veteran Female Singer Latha Mangeskar almost similarly. You can watch this song by visiting

Song : Sri Lanka Ma Priyadara Jayaboomi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgEuI0QBRwg&feature=related

Song : Adare Nam Pothe
http://www.infolanka.com/miyuru_gee/art/champa_kalhari.html

Song : Jeewitheta Aruna Udavei
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9mwTm1Z4_M

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Desmond de Silva

2009-11-17T12:41:00.000-08:00

Desmond de Silva

Desmond de Silva(ෙඩස්මන්ඩ් ද සිල්වා) is a Sri Lankan singer and entertainer, noted for his youthful voice that has changed little over four decades of performing, and regarded as the "King of Baila." Born in Matara in southern Sri Lanka, De Silva is now resident in Great Britain and has performed to packed concert halls across the world.

1960s in Ceylon
"Des," as he is known to his fans, launched his career in popular music in Colombo in 1963, he was the lead vocalist of the Fire-Flies. His music was featured widely on Radio Ceylon and subsequently the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, the oldest radio station in South Asia. Des has also performed with leading Sri Lankan pop groups - "Spitfires," "Gabo and the Breakaways," and the "Jetliners." He sang a song titled 'Oba Nisa' with Mignonne Fernando and the Jetliners - it was hailed as a musical masterpiece at an international song festival. In 1976 he decided to form his own band, ' Desmond and the Clan.' They performed in various countries in South-East Asia, including the Maldives. In 1984 Desmond de Silva decided to go solo.

International song contests
Desmond de Silva has represented Sri Lanka at the 5th Olympiad of Songs in Athens, Greece in 1979 and at the Yamaha Festival of Song in Tokyo, Japan.

Forty Year in Showbiz
He has celebrated 40 years in show business, selling millions of CDs around the world. De Silva is known for his popular renditions of Sri Lankan 'baila' music, which is a style whose origins are in Portuguese and Spanish music. He has had a string of baila hits including: 'Polkatu Hande,' ' Yaman Bando,' 'Chuda Manike,' 'Mamma No,' 'Miss Sri Lanka,' 'Hai Hui baby Achchi,' 'Rajasangabo' 'Komali Pane,' as well as popular recordings of anonymous baila songs. He is also known for a whole range of 'Party Time' non-stop baila music sold around the world.

Desmond de Silva now resides in London and has performed with London based backing group Foreign Affairs at many a concert in the United Kingdom.

Championing the cause of Autism
De Silva has championed the cause of autism and Asperger syndrome: he created history in August 2005 by being the first Sri Lankan musician to appeal on behalf of autistic children and people with autism in Sri Lanka, urging Sri Lankans to 'speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.' De Silva received a standing ovation.

De Silva told thousands at the BMICH in Colombo: ' Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder affecting so many around the world. Autism is not mental illness, these children and adults think differently. Albert Einstein they say was autistic. How many in the audience know that there are 38,000 autistic people in Sri Lanka? So we as entertainers, urge you all to 'speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.' Lets spread awareness of autism, particularly when numbers of autistic children are rising and we urge our government to also provide public services – who knows we may even produce Albert Einsteins if we provide education, health, specialist speech therapy for autistic children in our lovely island....'

Desmond de Silva launched the first ever Concert for Autism for Sri Lanka in Sydney, Australia on 31 March 2006.

He remains one of Sri Lanka's popular entertainers and is in heavy demand in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, India and other places.

Quotes on Desmond de Silva
' Desmond de Silva is one of Sri Lanka's leading musicians - he has popularized Sri Lankan baila music all over the world and has appeared as far afield as Los Angeles, New York, Melbourne, London, Auckland, Dubai, Bahrain, New Delhi and Singapore.'

WORLD MUSIC CENTRAL
' Yes... they all came in droves to hear and see their hero back in high action at the sold out concert at BMICH. The older fans to savour the event and listen to their favourite songs, while the young eager to enjoy, maybe for the first time, Desmond Live in Concert - a concert with an unexpected difference. It was also a night for the elite in the music world, theatre, fashion and society - sure they were not going to miss out on this extravaganza and Desmond's acclaimed showmanship....'

THE SUNDAY OBSERVER SRI LANKA
' Desmond has a heart of gold, he is reaching out to people with autism and the Autism Awareness Campaign Sri Lanka are grateful to the 'King of Baila' for raising awareness about the condition. Desmond de Silva is making a difference.He has enthralled audiences all over the world. His CDs have sold millions all over the globe.Desmond was touched to hear about the plight of 38,000 autistic children in Sri Lanka - only a handful are being helped in schools and parents, carers and autists have to struggle to access public services in health, education specialist speech therapy and respite care on the island.'

AUTISM AWARENESS CAMPAIGN SRI LANKA
'Mr de Silva, who has been performing for over 40 years, is expected to perform some of his top hits.The artist has performed to sell-out crowds all over the world and will be performing for the first time at The Warbler, Baisan International Hotel in Bahrain.An accomplished singer of English songs, he began his musical journey in 1963 with the band, Fireflies.The singer has also worked with SriMirage, the band currently performing at The Warbler, and today's show will mark their reunion.....'

GULF DAILY NEWS BAHRAIN

Edward Jayakody

2009-11-17T12:38:00.000-08:00

Edward Jayakody

Edward Jayakody (born April 6, 1952 in Kegalle, Sri Lanka) is a Sri Lankan musician, singer and composer. Jayakody had directed the music for hundreds of Sinhala films and television serials; he has also composed many songs for children's programming ("Koppara Koppara").

Jayakody won the Swarna Sanka Award in 1987 for Best Male Singer for the film Gedara Budun Amma. He won Best Music Director in 1979 and 1980 for the plays Nidane and Aparadaya Saha Danduwama.

Life and career
Early life
Jayakody was born Jayakody Arachchige Don Edward Timothy Jayakody, the sixth child of Don Raphial Jayakody and Victoria Jayakody on April 6, 1952 in Hettimulla, Kegalle, Sri Lanka. His family was Catholic. Jayakody received his early education at Bandaranaike Junior School, and received his secondary education at St. Mary's College of Kegalle. He joined the church choir while attending Bandaranaike and learned music while at St. Mary's, under teacher H. Samarapala.

Work in music
During the period from 1968 to 1976, Jayakody participated in the Maliban Guwan Thotilla and in amateur music programmes. He entered the Government College of Music in 1976 (presently the Faculty of Aesthetic Education of Kelaniya University) and during that time took part in music programmes conducted by popular musicians. At that time he started releasing cassettes and his career took off.

He was the music teacher at Nalanda College Colombo in mid 1980s.

Jayakody's album Deduna Palama was released on April 6, 2003.

Personal life
Jayakody married singer Charitha Priyadarshani in 1991, and has a son Chandeepa Sharanath and a daughter Sharanya Rasodi.

Jagath Wickramasinghe

2009-11-17T12:36:00.000-08:00

Jagath Wickramasinghe

Jagath Wickramasinghe (born 1966) is a Sri Lankan musician. His best known songs include "Saagara Tharangaa," "Mage Nango," "Pemvantayin Se," and "Obe Sina Langa." He is currently one of the three judges on Sirasa Superstar.

Wickramasinghe initially pursued a career as an engineer, but later decided to become a musician like his parents. His career took off after his songs were played on stations owned by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

Wickramasinghe signed on as a judge on Sirasa Superstar in 2005 motivated by the chance to help musicians achieve success.

Nimal Mendis

2009-11-17T12:27:00.000-08:00

Nimal Mendis

The distinguished Sri Lanka born singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis
Background information
Born - March 29, 1934 (1934-03-29) (age 75)
Origin - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Genres - Rock, pop, piano rock, Sri Lankan music
Occupations - Singer-songwriter, musician
Instruments - Vocals,Piano,Keyboards,Guitar
Years - active 1958 - Present
Labels - Decca, Media Eye Music
Associated acts - Mary Marshall sang 'Kiss Kiss Kiss' on Columbia Records in 1958, Singing 'Feel Like A Clown' - Raja and Rani - with Sandra Edema on BBC TV'S 'Top of the Pops' programme in 1968
Website - http://www.mediaeyeproductions.com

Nimal Mendis is a Sri Lankan singer and songwriter. He is one of a handful of Sri Lankan musicians to make it to the BBC television programme Top of the Pops in 1968.

Mendis was discovered by Radio Ceylon, the oldest radio station in South Asia, in the late 1950s. The radio station dominated the airwaves in South Asia in the 1950s and 1960s—the station backed his songs from the start, including "Kandyan Express", turning them into hits in South Asia. People from all over the Indian sub-continent wrote in to Radio Ceylon requesting his songs.

Mendis had been involved with music from his childhood, and has lived for many years in London travelling often to Sri Lanka. He lived in Uxbridge with his wife Ranjani. Currently he has moved to Sri Lanka and started working on a Sri Lankan film.

Mendis was so moved by the devastation of the 2004 tsunami that he composed a Tsunami song to aid the victims. British Parliamentarians commended his composition in a motion in the House of Commons. The British Parliamentarian, Linda Perham MP sponsored early day motion 638.

His Tsunami song has been recorded in Australia, Canada, the United States, Germany, Sri Lanka, and in the United Kingdom.

Early years: 1950s–1960s
Nimal has 22 songs published in Britain and has written music for films in Sri Lanka. "Kiss Kiss Kiss" was Nimal's first song that was recorded in Britain and sung by Mary Marshall on the Columbia label. "Kandyan Express", "Cherry Blossom Tree", "Oh My Lover", "Butterfly in the Rain", "Champagne Blues", and "Goodnight Kisses "' were number-one hits in Sri Lanka in the late fifties.

"Kandyan Dance", an instrumental, was his second piece in the West. Recorded by
Friedel Berlipp and his Orchestra in Germany it went on to be number two on Radio Luxembourg. It was also released in the United States. Black Pearls & Green Diamonds has eight of Nimal's songs on an LP for Decca by One Two and Three, a folk group in Britain.

Mendis appeared on the popular BBC television music programme Top of the Pops with his singing partner Sandra Edema in 1968 as guest artists with his song "Feel like a Clown". They were also featured with the song on Beat Club in Germany that year. Eugene Wright bass player with the original Dave Brubeck Quartet arranged and recorded five of Nimal's songs only with him playing bass. He also arranged and produced one other song "Singing Fish" with electric guitar, bass, and piano. They were sung by Sandra Edema.

1970s
In the seventies he recorded a number of songs in London. Many of these songs were of a spiritual nature. He made a twenty-minute audio documentary on the Way of the Cross called The Passion Report. Another audio documentary called Ferryman was about the tea estate worker and the farmer in Sri Lanka. It traces their history from the British colonial period. He also wrote Bread of Life for the Eucharistic Congress in Sri Lanka.

Mendis has written several memorable songs for Sri Lankan films. Nimal wrote the song "Master Sir" in Sri Lanka for a film, Kalu Diya Dhahara (A column of black water). "Master Sir" is about colonial Sri Lanka; the words tell a story about the dignity of labour, a story not about wages but about social justice. The song was recorded both in English (by Mendis and Sandra Edema) and Sinhala (by Neville Fernando,with lyrics by Karunaratne Abeysekera) and has remained a hit in Sri Lanka for over thirty years.

His composition "Ganga Addara" ("By the Banks of the River"), written by Augustus Vinayagaratnam, and sung by Vijaya Kumaranatunga) for the film (Directed by Sumitra Peiris) of the same name, is also a very popular song in Sri Lanka. "Ran Tikiri Sina" was written for the same film, and was also a hit. Indeed, all the songs he wrote for Sinhala films have been popular with the public in Sri Lanka.

1980s
In the eighties, Mendis went into the production of documentary films with Ranjani his wife and Paulmarie their son. Paulmarie, deft with computers and editing visuals, assisted them. He was only seven years old when he accompanied his parents filming in the war zones of the North and East of Sri Lanka. Mendis also did a stage show It's What I Am with Sri Lankan musicians; the highlight was the song "July '83", a song on the riots of that year. He also made two audio cassettes, one for Air Lanka A Taste of Paradise and the other for the Ceylon Tourist Board Pilgrim Places of Sri Lanka.

"Ran Tikiri Sina" and "Ganga Addara" lyrics were written by Augustus Vinayagaratnam, music provided by Nimal Mendis.

1990s
In the nineties they formed their own enterprise, Mediaeye. In the new millennium they have brought out an audio documentary War is my Country tracing the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka up to 1994. This CD contains archive material over a period of seventeen years with narration, interviews with political and other personalities, songs, and poems. Three of the political personalities have since been assassinated.

Current work
Currently they have relocated to the United Kingdom. Together with son Paulmarie they are compiling the songs, audio documentaries, and film material on CD and DVD. New songs too are being written, such as "Tsunami Sri Lanka", "Earth Mother Crying" (on the environment), "The Dawn of Compassion", and the "Hail Mary" in song. They have also formed Mediaeye Music, the publishing arm of Mediaeye Productions founded in 1990.

Fans formed a Nimal Mendis Group on Facebook in 2008.

Charity work
Mendis has thrown his weight behind the important Autism Awareness Campaign UK and the UK Autism Foundation.Mendis has backed the call of British musicians for better public services in education, health, specialist speech therapy, and respite care for all people with autism and Asperger syndrome. Mendis released 'Open Every Door,' a song for autism in May 2007 in the UK and dedicated it to the work of the UK Autism Foundation. The song for autism was personally presented to Prime Minister Tony Blair on April 25, 2007 and to the leading British parliamentarian Lee Scott (UK Politician).

Television documentaries
Dawn of Terror, their first documentary, was filmed on the ethnic conflict, and could be called an anti-war film. It was made for the Centre for Society and Religion in Sri Lanka. The film, although made on VHS, was taken for distribution by Concord Video and film in the UK

Shattered Pearl on women affected by the war in Sri Lanka and the "right to life" was made for Channel 4 television in London. It was a major film by Sri Lankans on British TV at the time. It has been shown in many parts of the world.

Three Women Speak Out was made for "Article 19" in Britain on freedom of opinion and expression, and they edited Z for Zero Concern on homeless children in London for the Children's Society.

Water Water Everywhere, filmed in Bangladesh, is on women and water-management, made for CAFOD.

Blessed Are the Poor compares poverty in Britain and South India and the positive effort people make to change their lives. This documentary was made for the Methodist International.

They have also been researchers for three major British TV productions. Three of their documentaries were at the Monticatini Film Festival in Italy: Shattered Pearl, Seyllan to Paradise, and Stop Killing Start Singing (which was based on three songs). It was the first time that Sinhala songs were featured as a documentary.

Quotations about Nimal Mendis
"A crusader for creative and original song writing, using the Sri Lankan folk idiom, Nimal Mendis was successful in influencing many a young lyricist and music composer in acknowledging the wealth in Sri Lankan folk music and adapting it with western overtones, to bring about a new identity in music..." (Mahes Perera, writing in the Sunday Observer Sri Lanka).Source: Sunday Observer Colombo Sri Lank

Premasiri Khemadasa

2009-11-17T12:16:00.000-08:00

Premasiri Khemadasa

Also known as Khemadasa Master
Born January 25, 1937(1937-01-25)
Origin - Sri Lanka
Died - October 24, 2008 (aged 71)
Genres - Sri Lankan music
Occupations - Music Director,Composer

Premasiri Khemadasa (also Khemadasa) (January 25, 1937 – October 24, 2008) also known as "Khemadasa Master" is one of the most influential composers in Sri Lankan music. Exploring the various styles of music around the world Khemadasa endeavored to develop a unique style of music. He combined Sinhala folk tunes, Hindustani music, Western music and many other streams of music in his compositions while adapting them to fit contemporary music.

Biography
Early life
Khemadasa grew up in Talpitiya, Wadduwa and attended St. John's College Panadura and Sri Sumangala College. As a teenager, he became a gifted flautist.

Khemadasa was asked to come to the Radio Ceylon for an interview on the day he was scheduled to take his Senior School Certificate examination. He finished the examination much ahead of time and travelled to the audition. He passed the audition and became a member of Radio Ceylon.[1]

As a composer
Khemadasa's debut as a film composer came with Sirisena Wimalaweera's Roddie Kella. With his score for Bambaru Ewith he introduced a style of music unacquainted to Sri Lankan cinema. He then began collaborating with acclaimed director Lester James Peries handling the music for films like Golu Hadawatha and Nidhanaya. Critics praised his film scores and he was honorally dubbed "Khemadasa master." Khemadasa's signature in film music is molded by the use of elements from Classical Western music and other sources to heighten the emotion suggested by the picture. Some of his compositions are influenced by Western composers of opera such as Giuseppe Verdi and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Lately Premasiri Khemadasa has given his contribution to films such as Agnidahaya and very recently to Ammavarune, the last film by Lester James Peiris who has announced his retirement.

Other scores written by the master for films such as Hansawilak,Thunweniyamaya, Paradige, Yasa Isuru widened his acclaim in the field of cinema. He has also composed music for films produced outside Sri Lanka (Thousand Flowers).

Dr. Khemadasa's contribution to teledramas also brought outstanding masterpieces to the public. His collaboration with director Jayantha Chandrasiri has turned out remarkable products whereas the themes he created for Chandrasiri's television series Dandubasnamanaya have shown unprecedented power of mesmerization. A repertoire of scores written for teledramas including Chandrasiri's Weda hamine, Sathara denek senpathiyo, Akala sandhya, Dharmasena Pathiraja's Gangulen egodata, Ella langa walawwa, Pura sakmana and Bandula Vithanage's Asalwesiyo bestowed the public with unforgettable musical experiences. Also, he has contributed to the teledrama Sadisi tharanaya by Devinda koongahage, which is most probably his last contribution for a teledrama.

He also contributed to stage dramas such as Jayantha Chandrasiri's Mora, Ath, and Dharmasiri Bandaranayake's Makarakshaya & Dhawala bheeshana.

Furthermore, he has composed symphonies like Muhuda, Mage kale mavni and Sinhala Avurudda. His cantata named Pirinivan Mangalya, probably the only Buddhist cantata ever composed, was based on the passing away of the Lord Buddha and it was played at his funeral by the students of the Khemadasa Foundation.

The presence of operatic and harmonic vocals in his music is explained by his vast knowledge of opera and harmony. In his lifetime he made many experiments with techniques of singing and playing, which include the use of asymmetric patterns of beats, revolutionary harmonies and novel techniques of playing musical instruments such as the sitar.

Khemadasa is the only known Sri Lankan musician who practised and created opera. He has a large group of students many of whom were derived from rural milieus and trained for performing in his operas. His famous operas include Manasawila, Doramandalawa and Sondura Varnadasi. Recently he created the opera, Agni (opera) about early civilization. His operas, being written in Sinhalese, form what can be recognized as Sinhalese opera. Khemadasa and his pupils have conducted shows in several countries. After a layoff following a kidney transplant he returned to the field of music, even in his 70s, trying to secure the future of Sri Lankan music. At the time of the maestro's demise on 24th of October 2008, he was 71 years old.

Died 24 October 2008 in a private hospital in Colombo. The funeral was held on the 27th of October.

Filmography
Music director
Year - Film - Other notes
1965 - Sapatha Soya - first solo direction
1966 - Sanasuma Kothanada?
Sithala Wathura
Kapatikama one song (Latha's "Kurulu Ran") and background music
1967 - Rana Giraw
Manamalayo
1968 - Golu Hadawatha - won Sarasavi and Radio Ceylon Magazine awards
Vanasara
Bicycle Hora
1970 - Narilatha - won Sarasavi award
1971 - Seeye Nottuwa
1972 - Nidhanaya
1976 - Janaka Saha Manhu
1978 - Bambaru Awith
1980 - Hansa Wilak
1982 - Kaliyugaya
1983 - Yuganthaya - won OCIC and Sarasavi awards
1987 - Maldeniye Simion - won OCIC award
1990 - Sandakada Pahana - won Sarasavi award
Siri Medura - won Sarasavi, OCIC and Swarna Sankha awards
1993 - Meeharaka - won Swarna Sankha award
1994 - Lokuduwa
1999 - Julietge Bhoomikava - won OCIC and President’s award
2002 - Agnidahaya
Mathu Yam Dawasa
2005 - Guerilla Marketing
2006 - Ammawarune - last film of Lester James Peries

Bathiya and Santhush

2009-11-17T12:06:00.000-08:00

Bathiya and Santhush

Bathiya & Santhush
Origin - Colombo,Sri Lanka
Genres - Sri Lankan music, Pop,R&B
Years - active 1998 - present
Labels - SonyBMG[1] / Universal Records[2]/M-Entertainment [1]
Associated acts - Ashanthi,Nirosha Virajini,Randhir,Umaria and Umara Hariharan
Website - www.bnsmusic.com

Bathiya & Santhush (BNS) are one of the biggest names in the Sri Lankan music industry who were pop/rap duo comprising of Bathiya Jayakody and Santhush Weeraman, who met while at Mary Anne David's school for singing in Colombo (training mainly under the categories of classical and show tunes). Since the inception in 1998, they have released six albums and had seven Sri Lankan number one singles. Bathiya & Santhush are one of the biggest musical acts to hit the Sri Lankan musical scene since the 1990s, mixing Sinhalese, Tamil and English lyrics in their originals, bringing out their contemporary style and revolutionising the music industry in Sri Lanka.

In 2008 BNS marked the end of their most successful concert series after over 150 performances "Neththara Live". This was replaced with a brand new concert series named "Shaheena" after their 2008 No. 1 single and the same titled promotional album for Lux.

Awards and accomplishments
First Sri Lankan artists to secure a Music Publishing Contract under "UNIVERSAL MUSIC"
Silver Award Winners at the "Azia Dauzey" Music Festival in Kazakhstan 2001 / Shanghai Music Festival 2001
Composers & Performers of the Official Sri Lankan Cricket Anthem BCCSL.
Bronze Award Winners at the Shanghai Music Festival 2001
Winners of the TYOP Award for the contribution to Culture & Arts 2002
Winner of the Golden Clef Award for the best fusion band in 2002
Runner-up the 4th Pop Music Festival in Zernjanin Serbia 2003
Winners of the "Male Icon - 2006" award (Award ceremony was held on 14 June, 2007 at the Colombo Hilton)
Runner up at the first Music Video Awards held in Sri Lanka - Derana Music VDU Awards - Runner Up award for Res Wihidena Samanaliyak
First Sri Lankan artists to release a song with Indian collaboration. BNS released a track called "Yaalpaanamen" featuring eminent Indian singer Hariharan (of colonial cousins) in June 2009

Trivia
Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (September 2007)

BnS Recording Studio is known as "Saregama Studio", and is also used by many popular pop/rap and hip hop artistes in Sri Lanka.
Santhush Weeraman was educated at Royal College Colombo and his brother Dushyanth is also a Musician.
Bathiya Jayakody was educated at Ananda College Colombo.

Discography
Albums
Vasanthaye ~ A New Beginning (1998)
Life ~ Sahasraye Manusathkule (2000)
Tharunyaye ~ The 3rd Album (2002)
Neththara ~ Project 4 (2005)
Hiripodha Wessa Chithrapatiye Geetha Samaga Hit Songs (2006)
Res Vihidena Samanaliyak (Valentine's Day Promotional Album) (2007)
Ayubowan (Namaste) (2007)
Sri Lanka Cricket Anthem (Limited Edition)
Shaheena (Promotional Album Distributed with LUX brand products - 2008)
Lanka Matha (Limited Edition)
The Dancing Star movie sound track - 2008

DVDs
Bathiya & Santhush - Vol 1
Bathiya & Santhush - Vol 2
Nethara Final Concert

Singles
"Shaheena" (2008)
"Pethu Pem Pethum" {2008}
"Neththara" (2005)
"Kiri Kodu" (2005)
"Unmadanie" (2002)
"Ran Kurahan Mala (Na Na Ne)" (2002)
"Tharunyaye" (2002)
"Ayubowan" (2000)
"Manusathkule" (2000)
"Ae" (2000)
"Life" (2000)
"Siri Sangabodhi Maligawedi" (2000)
"Vasanthaye" (1998)

Gunadasa Kapuge

2009-11-08T11:52:00.000-08:00

Gunadasa Kapuge
Gunadasa Kapuge (August 7, 1945 – April 3, 2003) was a Sri Lankan musician.

Kapuge was born on August 7, 1945 either in the village of Miriswatte in the Galle District or in the tiny village of Thanabaddegama in Elpitiya. He was the second of eight children. He went to school until grade five at Karandeniya Central and later at Dharmasoka College in Ambalangoda, where he initially studied science before switching to music. In 1963, he left Haywood college of music, where he was studying at that time, to follow a degree course in India. In the late 1960s, Kapuge joined the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

Kapuge released his first song "Daesa Nilupul Thema" in 1973, which became an instant hit. After, Kapuge was selected as a Grade "A" vocalist by the Radio Ceylon and started his three decade long music career. The First Stage Drama for which he provided back-ground music was "Thuranga Sanniya" by Sugathapala De Silva. Since then he provided background music for the highly popular musical "Tharawo Igilethi" by Lucien Bulathsinhala and several other popular dramas. His first movie back-ground music gig was for the Stanley Perera's "Sandha." He married Prema Withanage in 1978. In 1980, Kapuge released his first music cassette titled "Dhampatin Laa Sandha" with Malini Bulathsinhala. He released several cassettes during the 1980s, most of them selling very well. Among them were, Seethala Sandha Eliye (1981), Unmadha Sithuwam (1983), Mawathe Giithaya (1985), and Piya Satahan (1990).

Kapuge staged a one-man musical show titled "Kampana" during the 1990s and also released a cassette and CD with the same title. He died on April 3, 2003, at the age of 58, at the Colombo National Hospital, after sustaining critical injuries in a fall from the shuttle bus at Bandaranaike International Airport. He had been returning from a show in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. There was a delay in taking him to the hospital which lead to a national inquiry.

Sanath Nandasiri

2009-11-08T11:47:00.000-08:00

Sanath Nandasiri

Sanath Nandasiri (born February 15, 1942 in Gothatuwa, Sri Lanka) is a critically acclaimed Sri Lankan classical musician.

Nandasiri has received several awards for his compositions; he composed the music to Sandamalige Kathawa, the first TV serial on Rupavahini.

Life and career
Early life and education
Nandasiri was born to businessman William Perera and Amalin Katugampola. He attended two schools concurrently as an adolescent (Gothatuwa Maha Vidyalaya and St. Matthew’s College, Dematagoda, where he studied English).

Nandasiri first appeared on Sinhala Radio at the age of 13 in 1955. He began studying the tabla instrument under D.R. Peiris soon after. In 1960 Nandasiri travelled to India to continue his studies at Bhatkande. His teachers at the academy included Ustad Ahmed Jan Thirakwa, G.N. Nattu, Ustad Mokshut Ali, Pandit Hari Shankar Misra and Ustad Rahimmuddeen Khan Daga.

While in India, Nandasiri composed several songs that appeared on Lucknow radio. He returned to Sri Lanka in 1974 and joined the staff of University of Kelaniya as a lecturer. Nandasiri served as the head of music at the university from 1988 to 1992.

Nandasiri took the Part I examination in vocal music and obtained first class at the "Nipun" examination in 1992 becoming the first Sri Lankan to achieve this task. He serves as Dean of the Music Faculty at the University of the Visual Arts and Performing Arts.All through out his career Sri Lanka's leading Planter Dinal Hilary samerenayake was acting as his mentor.

Personal life
Nandasiri married singer Malkanthi Peiris in 1971. They collaborated on songs before and after their marriage. Nandasiri's daughter Anuradha was born on February 14, 1974.

Anuradha, also a musician, currently back in Sri Lanka with her husband Nirosha Bandara.

Victor Ratnayake

2009-11-04T11:09:00.000-08:00

Victor Ratnayake

Background information
Birth name Victor Ratnayake
Born February 18, 1942 (1942-02-18) (age 67)
Origin Sri Lanka
Genres Sri Lankan music
Occupations Singer-Songwriter,
Years active 1973 – Present

Victor Ratnayake (born February 18, 1942) is a popular Sri Lankan musician. He was the first Sri Lankan musician to hold a live one man concert; His concert known as "SA" was first performed in 1973, and was an instant success. Ratnayake credits his success to his "fitting blend of Western music with Ragadari classical music." His songs deal with diverse themes that vary from love, to patriotism and Buddhism.

Matara Achchi is the first film he composed music for and it's Sandakada Pahana song sung by Sunil Edirisinghe is still very popular among Sinhala music fans. Ratnayake also has composed music for films like Siribo Aiya, Podi Malli, Sarungale, Hulawali and Athuru Mithuru.

Life and career
Early life

Young Victor RatnayakeRatnayake was born in a small village near Kadugannawa. His father, Rathnayake Veda Mahaththaya, was an apothecary and sang "noorthi gee," a type of Sinhala folk songs. Victor got his first instrument at the age of nine when his father presented him a harmonium for his birthday. He studied singing and various instruments under musician Cyril Perera at the M.G.P. Institute in Mulgampola in his teens. In 1963, he began attending the State Music College, now known as the Institute of Aesthetic Studies. He wrote his first song, an ode to Lord Buddha, in 1964; it received play on radio stations run by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

In 1966, Ratnayke joined the Ministry of Education as a music instructor, and was assigned to a post at Eththalapitiya Maha Vidyalaya in Bandarawela. He would later look back to his days as a teacher in his song "Sihil Sulang Ralle," which described the beauty of his surroundings that he noted as he travelled on the train to the school. The lyrics were penned by Sena Weerasekera on Ratnayake's recollections.

Sa
By 1973, Ratnayake was a trained musician and noted that there were no one man concerts. The closest was "Shravanaradhana" a joint concert by Amaradeva and Nanda Malini. On the urging of his friends Premakirthi de Alwis, Sunil Ariyaratne, K.D.K Dharmawardena, R.R. Samarakoon, Chintana Jayasena and Bandara K. Wijetunga, Victor decided to attempt such an event. The first Sa concert was held on July 20, 1973, at the Lumbini Theatre, Havelock Town. It is widely considered a turning point in Sri Lankan music.

The name "Sa" came from the root or tonic note sa or ‘C’ in the Indian music scale and was suggested by Chintana Jayasena. Jayasena pointed to the fact that no Sri Lankan drama, film or work of art bore a name of just one syllable at the time and believed that it would bring luck.

"Sa" was highly popular, and Ratnayke's gained many fans following its inception. One female fan wrote "Do you know that I treasure 49 hairs of yours?" in a fan letter, expressing how many times she has seen Ratnayake's show. Critics described the show as "exquisite insanity" and a "melodic lunacy" because of the fervor shown by Ratnayke's fans, who would sometimes attack auditoriums where he was playing when they couldn't get in.

Ratnayake's style was influenced by musicians like Sunil Shantha, Ananda Samarakone and C. T. Fernando who he considered "pioneers in the music field" for their use of "classical Ragadari and Hindustani music" as their starting point.

Recent Events
Ratnayake continues to be a popular musician in the 2000s; He recently threw the 1500th concert of "Sa." His latest album Detolaga Sinaha was released in 2006.

Sunil Santha

2009-11-04T11:03:00.000-08:00

Sunil Santha

Background information
Birth name Baddaliyanage Don Joseph John
Born April 14, 1915
Origin Sri Lanka
Died April 11, 1981 (aged 65)
Genres Sri Lankan music
Occupations Singer-Songwriter,
Years active 1945–1981

Sunil Santha (1915-1981) was a renowned and influential Sri Lankan singer. He was pivotal in the development of Sinhala music in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He composed the soundtrack to Lester James Peries' Rekava in 1956.

Life and career
Early life (1915–1945)
Santha was born Baddaliyanage Don Joseph John on April 14, 1915 in Dehiyagatha, Jaela to a catholic family. His parents died when he was young, and Santha was raised by members of his maternal family. His uncle M.J. Perera was a musician and taught Santha to play the harmonium at a young age.

Santha passed the school leaving certificate examination with the highest marks in his class as a young adult and was awarded the Weeraratne award. In 1933 he completed the Teachers Final Examination and began work as a teacher at the Mt. Calvary School. While tenured there, Santha led the school to three consecutive victories at the Southern Schools Music Competition. In 1939 he passed the Intermediate Gandarva Examination and received a certificate in physical training. He also learned to play the piano and guitar at that time.

In 1940 Santha gave up teaching and travelled to Shantiniketan to study music. The following year Santha enrolled at the University of Bathkanda and worked to get his Visharadha Degree in 1944. He then adopted the name "Sunil Santha."

Radio Ceylon (1946–1952)
On March 2, 1946 Santha held a recital for the Kumaratunga Commemoration ceremony and was asked to record for Radio Ceylon. Over the next seven years, he would have several popular songs including "Olu Pipila" (the first song he recorded), "Handapane", "Ho Ga Rella Negay", "Bowitiya Dan Palukan Vare", "Suwada Rosa Mal Nela", "Kokilayange", and "Mihikathanalawala." Santha stressed his Sinhala heritage in his songs opting to sing in Sinhala rather than English and not copy Hindustani and Tamil songs of India. An occasional songwriter himself, Santha sang songs written by lyricists like Huberth Dissanayake, Munidasa Cumaratunga, Raipiel Tennakoon, Father Marcelline Jayakody, and Arisen Ahubudu.

In 1952 Santha was banned from Radio Ceylon after refusing to audition for Indian musician Ratanjankar, whom the corporation had brought from South India to oversee the direction of music on their stations. That year he married school teacher Bernadet Leelawathi Jayasekara.

Later life
Santha experienced monetary problems after being kicked off Radio Ceylon. He tried his hands at various trades like photography and selling clothes over the next few years.

In 1953 Santha started a small school at the Maradana Newton building. He vowed to teach 10 pupils for free. Santha's friend Albert Perera (later known as W.D. Amaradeva) joined the school as a teacher. In 1955 journalist D.B. Dhanapala started a campaign to expose Santha's plight and raised some money through his column on Lankadeepa.

In 1967 Director General Mr. Neville Jayaweera asked Santha to come back to the national radio service. Santha worked with Amaradeva and H.W. Rupasinghe to develop music and audition new artists.

Santha moved into his uncle's house in 1970. In 1977 a record titled Sunil Gee was produced.

Shantha died on April 11, 1981 from a heart attack shortly after his son Jagath drowned in a swimming pool. Critical Assessment of his works

Ananda Samarakoon

2009-11-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

Ananda Samarakoon
Birth name Ananda Samarakoon
Born January 13, 1911
Origin Sri Lanka
Died April 5, 1962
Genres Sri Lankan music
Occupations Singer-Songwriter
Years active 1940 – 1962

Ananda Samarakoon (1911 – 1962) was a Sri Lankan composer and musician. He composed the Sri Lankan national anthem "Sri Lanka Matha" and is considered the father of artistic Sinhala music, and founder of the modern geeta sahitya.

Life and career
Early life
Samarakoon was born George Wilfred Alwis to a Christian family in Padukka,in Ceylon, on January 13, 1911 in Sri Lanka. In 1936,He had his primary and secondary education at Christian College ,Kotte,presently known as Sri Jayawardenapura M.V.Kotte.His Sinhala Guru was Pandit D.C.P. Gamalathge.Later he served his Alma mater as a teacher of Music and Art. Samarakone left for Santiniketan in India to study art and music. After six months he abandoned his studies and returned to Sri Lanka, and changed his name to Ananda Samarakone, embracing Buddhism[1].

He was very much influenced by Rabindranath Tagore while in India and his fascination and the desire to imitate the great Indian musician would go on to take him in the direction of creating a musical tradition for the Sri Lankan people.

Composer
In 1937, the popular music of Sri Lanka consisted of songs derived from the North Indian Ragadhari music. These songs lyrics often contained meaningless phrases with little or no literary merit. Samarakone set out to create a form of a music that can be classified as Sri Lanka's own and came out with the song Endada Menike (1940) that paved the foundation for the artistic Sinhala music.

The love themed song unfolds in the form of a dialogue between a young village boy and a girl. It, poetic and beautifully rustic, became a success and Samarakone followed it with a string of successful songs in the early to mid 1940s, the period considered his golden age. Among his best known works are:

Podimal Etano
Vilay Malak Pipila
Poson Pohoda
Asay madura
Sunila Guvanay
Punchi Suda
nilvala Gangay
Sumano
Pudamu Kusum
Siri Saru Saara Ketay

Painter
In 1945 Samarakoon's only son died at the age of five and the grieving Samarakoon left Sri Lanka for India where he pursued a painting career and held eleven art exhibitions there. Though his painting were critically acclaimed, he returned to music in 1951 back in Sri Lanka.

During Samarakoon's stay in India, one of his early compositions, Namo Namo Mata (composed in 1940, recorded in 1946) was nominated as the national anthem and was officially adopted by the State as the Sri Lankan national anthem in 1952. Critics attacked Namo Namo Mata, particularly the "Gana" significance of the introductory words (Namo Namo Matha) which designate disease and ill luck. Samarakone was not a believer in "Gana", and the criticism caused him to write numerous articles counter attacking his critics to defend his composition. However, without his consent, the introductory words were changed to "Sri Lanka Mathaa" so that the "Gana" significance now would designate victory and prosperity.

Death
On April 5, 1962, at the age of fifty one, Samarakoon committed suicide by taking an overdose of sleeping tablets.

Samarakoon's legacy lives on in his music and in the musical style he created.

W. D. Amaradeva

2009-11-04T10:51:00.000-08:00

W. D. Amaradeva

Pandith Amaradeva
Origin Sri Lanka
Genres Sri Lankan music, Folk music, Raga
Years active 1947—present

Wannakulawattawaduge Don Albert Perera (born December 5, 1927 in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka), better known by his adopted name Amaradeva, is a Sri Lankan vocalist and musical composer. Primarily using traditional instruments like sitars, tablas and harmoniums, Amaradeva incoporates Sinhala folk music with Indian ragas in his work.

In the mid-1950s, Amaradeva in his Janagayana project consulted experts of the Kandyan dance tradition like Pani Bharata, Kiriganita, Gunamala, Ukkuva and Suramba in his path to understand what constituted Sinhala folk music. Noting that it mostly revolved around a single melody, he decided to add verses that would lead up to the central melody which would now be a chorus thus forming two parts (unseen earlier in traditional Sri Lankan music) removing restrictions that had existed earlier. In doing so, Amaradeva created a uniquely Sinhalese music style that stayed true to folk tradition while incorporating outside influences. His work was vital in the creation of the sarala gee genre practiced subsequently by artists like Victor Ratnayake, Sunil Edirisinghe and Sanath Nandasiri.

Pandit Amaradeva has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Philippine Ramon Magsaysay Award (2001), Indian Padma Sri Award and Sri Lankan "President's Award of Kala Keerthi" (1986) and Deshamanya Award (1998). He has also represented Sri Lanka in many forums including the UNESCO 1967 Manila Symposium, and composed the melody for the Maldives national anthem, Gaumii salaam, at the request of British Queen Elizabeth II in 1972.

Life and career
Early life and education
Amaradeva was born the youngest of six children to carpenter Wannakuwatta Waduge Don Ginoris Perera and Balapuwaduge Maggie Weslina Mendis at Janapriya Mawatha in Koralawella, Moratuwa. Perera was a Buddhist while Mendis was a Methodist bringing both Christian and Buddhist values to the family.

Amardeva was introduced to music at a young age by his father who crafted and played violins. Amaradeva would often strum the violin whle his mother sang hymns. Another family influence was Amaradeva's elder brother who taught Indian classical music to him. Amaradeva was presented with his own instrument on his seventh birthday.

He obtained his early education under Ven. Malalankara Nayaka of the Koralawella temple. With the development of his musical talent, Amaradeva was asked to recite poems and prayers at the temple; he was subsequently picked to lead the village choir.

Amaradeva continued his studies at Sri Saddharmodaya Buddhist Mixed School. While attending the school, he won a poetry contest held at the Moratuwa Vidyalaya; Amaradeva also led the school choir to a triumpant showing at a contest held by the Colombo Arts Society. His poetry win prompted school teachers to get him a showcase to recite poetry on Radio Ceylon. In 1945 Amaradeva won a gold medal at a music and violin contest held by Jana Kala Mandalaya.

Amaradeva entered Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya, Panadura after completing his primary education with a scholarship for English. At the school, he formed a friendship with the Principal Danister Thomas. Thomas helped Amaradeva get into Kalutara Vidyalaya and subsequently Siddharta Vidyalaya Balapitiya.

By chance filming of the film Ashokamala commenced nearby. Gerard J. Pieris of Moratuwa introduced Amaradeva to Mohamed Ghouse Master who was handling the music for the film and Ghouse recognizing Amaradeva's skill enlisted him as the top violinist in his orchestra.

Amardeva left his studies and accompanied Ghouse to India to work on the film. He would play a triple role of singing, dancing and acting on the film with the song "Ayi Yameku Kale Ale."

Career
He found steady work as an artist on Radio Ceylon, where his unique vision and talent could be exhibited to an audience wider than he had ever before known - earning him a position at the Bhathkande Institute of Music in Lucknow, India. After extensive training, Albert returned to Sri Lanka as Pandit Wannakuwattawaduge Don Amaradeva.The name Amaradeva which translates as Immortal god was given to him by Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra (Sri Lanka's foremost playwright and a close associate).

During this time, Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) had only begun emerging as an independent nation, and the question of what Sri Lankan music was, was slowly being addressed with equal vigour by intellectuals, artists and the general public. In response to the spirit of these times, Amaradeva began interweaving indigenous folk music with the Indian ragas he had studied in Lucknow, thereby giving expression to a more sophisticated cadence.

His other innovations include his experimentation with Western harmonies and counterharmonies, as well as with South Indian and Tamil musical forms. His opus, however, remains the work he did with Sri Lanka's celebrated lyricist Mahagama Sekera, in exploring the contours of fusing classical Sinhala poetry with his unique musical intonation. In time, Amaradeva's music came to reflect an entire philosophy, reflective of the spirit of a nation.

He has composed music for ballet(Karadiya, Nala Damayanthi, etc), film(Ran Muthu Duwa, Gam Peraliya, Ransalu, Delovak Athara, Gatavarayo, Rena Girav, Thunman Handiya, etc), theatre(Wessantara, etc), radio and television, and has sung over one thousand songs.

Amaradeva, and wife Wimala, have one son (Ranjana Amaradeva), and two daughters (Subhani Amaradeva, herself a talented vocalist, and Priyanvada Amaradeva).

Honors
Officier (officer) in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) from the French government (2003)
The Ramon Magsaysay Award of the Philippines - (2001)
Title of Deshamanya form the government of Sri Lanka (1998)
Title of Kala Keerthi form the government of Sri Lanka (1986)
Padma Sri Award from India

Filmography
Music director
Year Film Other notes
1962 Ran Muthu Duwa debut as music director
1963 Adata Wadiya Heta Hondai songs only
Sikuru Tharuwa one song and background music
Gamperaliya
Getawarayo
1965 Saama background music
Laa Dalu
Saravita
Adarayai Karunawai
1966 Delovak Athara
Westhuru Siritha

Annesley Malewana

2009-11-04T10:48:00.000-08:00

Annesley Malewana

Background information
Origin Ratnapura, Sri Lanka
Genres Sri Lankan music
Years active 1965 to present
Associated acts Moonstones, Super Golden Chimes, Super Chimes

Annesley Malewana (Sinhala, pronounced [ˈænəsli ˈmaːləvənə]) is an influential Sri Lankan musician.

Life and career
Malewana was born in Ratnapura (a city in south-central Sri Lanka), and attended St. Joseph’s College in the capital city of Colombo. Upon leaving school, he met Clarence Wijewardena, who (with Malewana) formed the group Moonstones. In the early 1960s, the Moonstones began performing songs composed by Wijewardena and sung by Malewana (their first hit was Mango Nanda - a song written about the maid who once worked at the home of Clarence's wife in the early days of their relationship).

Moonstones
Primarily due to Wijewardena's unique compositions, the Moonstones continued to dominate popular Sri Lankan music for nearly a decade before ultimately breaking up in the late 1960s. The Moonstones were managed by the advertising man Sri Sangabo Corea and were mentored by the legendary Radio Ceylon broadcaster Vernon Corea and his cousin Vijaya Corea.[1] Their music was featured for the very first time on the English Services of Radio Ceylon and subsequently the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. They became household names as a result of the airplay on Radio Ceylon throughout the 1960s. Annesley Malewana was well known for being a master of contemporary baila.[2]

During the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, the songs of the 'Moonstones' and the 'Super Golden Chimes' were on the lips of so many music lovers in Sri Lanka - the musicians were at their peak and Annesley had reached the heights of popularity in the world of music on the island.

Super Golden Chimes
Malewana and Wijewardena remained friends and reunited in the 1970s to form a group dubbed the Super Golden Chimes - this group would, similarly, produce a string of popular songs that included Udarata Niliya (Up-Country Dancer), Sihina Pathum (In Dreams), Wana Bambaro (Jungle/Wild Bee), and Sathuta Senasuma (Happy Feelings).

The Super Golden Chimes performed for another 8 years until, in 1978, Malewana married, and announced his retirement from music.Despite his retirement, Malewana returned in 1988 as a solo artist, and continued to record songs particularly for CDs released in Sri Lanka.

Super Chimes
Malewana came out of retirement to get back into the music world, in 2005 he formed the band Annesley & The Super Chimes.

According to Malewana: "It was a long felt need in the music scene especially after the Super Golden Chimes Reunion Concert which was held last year. I was under tremendous pressure from my fans and well-wishers to continue with the Super Golden Chimes, but since some of the members are abroad and some others are playing in different groups, I did not want to use the name Super Golden Chimes."

The songs performed by Malewana and Clarence over their three decade careers have recently been credited, by the group Pahan Silu, as having served to influence them in crafting their unique musical style. Annesley Malewana has reached the pinnacle of fame as a highly respected recording artiste and as an accomplished musician. Together with his close friend, the late Clarence Wijewardena, they were at the very top of music world in South Asia. Wijeywardena and Malewana were two of the most sought after musicians in Sri Lanka. Their songs topped the charts on both the English Service and the Sinhala Service on Radio Ceylon/Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation for decades. Annesley Malewana has also made countless appearances on television. His voice has been heard by Londoners over BBC Radio London 206 on the popular 'London Sounds Eastern' radio programme and on community radio in the United States of America and in Australia.

Clarence Wijewardena

2009-10-30T02:07:00.000-07:00

Clarence Wijewardena

Background information
Born. August 3, 1943(1943-08-03)
Origin. Haputhale, Sri Lanka
Died. December 13, 1996 (aged 53)
Genres. Playback singing, Sri Lankan music
Occupations. Singer–songwriter, guitarist, record producer
Years active. 1965–1996
Clarence Wijewardana (August 3, 1943 – December 13, 1996) was a Sri Lankan musician who pioneered the use of electric guitar in Sinhala music. He is said to have revolutionized Sri Lankan music in the 1960s and is often named as the father of Sri Lankan pop music - having influenced performers in ranging from W D Amaradewa, Premasiri Kemadasa to Athula Adhikari. His music is often characterized by simple melodies built around a melody that features the electric guitar - this style may be best illustrated by the song Malata Bambaraku Se (Translated: Like a Bee To a Flower).

Early life
Clarence Wijewardena was born on August 3, 1943, in Haputale, Sri Lanka, to an estate medical doctor. His family moved to Batugedara, Ratnapura in 1964, where Wijewardena eloped with the daughter of a local landlord, and abandoned a budding planting career to pursue music full time.

Moonstones
Wijewardena formed the Moonstones at the age of 21 with Annesley Malewana as lead vocalist. Managed by a leading advertising icon, Sri Sangabo Corea, the group recorded several songs to be aired on the Saturday Star program in 1966. The young musicians were mentored by Sri Sangabo Corea together with veteran Radio Ceylon/SLBC broadcasters Vernon Corea and Vijaya Corea. Their 1968 debut EP Mango Nanda was released on the JVPC007 Philips label selling up to 5000 copies. It included the songs "Mango Nanda," "Ruwan Puraya," "Seetha Ude" and "Menike." The sophomore release More Hits by the Moonstones came out November that year on the Sooriya label and included the hits "Kalu Mama", "Rosa male", "Ramani" and "Goyam Kapanawa." "Mango Nanda" was selected the best Sinhala song by the Hit Parade program on Radio Ceylon. In 1969 the Moonstones welcomed female vocalist Indrani Perera who sang lead on the best selling "Dilhani." Wijewardena himself only sang lead on "Dileepa Podi Puthu," an adaptation of a poem written by Karunarathne Abesekara to his son.
During the 'Moonstones' era, Clarence Wijewardena who performed as a composer and music director, became a singer. Clarence took the initiative to start a three-man band, he was only the finest self-taught guitarist, and as yet unknown. However, later the 'Moonstones' were formed with Annesley Malawana playing the key role as lead singer. Since then this exceptional man and his music dominated the Sinhala pop music industry. He is regarded by many as a pioneering Sri Lankan musician in the realms of Sinhala popular music.
After he left the Moonstones in 1970, he held a musical show in Moratuwa with Shanaka Perera and Wijith Peiris and the show was named as "Breakaways from the Moonstones".

Golden Chimes
Wijewardena departed the Moonstones and formed a new music group called the Golden Chimes, with ex-Moonstones bassist Chanaka Perera and Lankika Perera in January 1971. Their first release included "Kimade Nawe", "Mage pelpathe", "Sihin Sinawai" and "Samanalayo." Subsequently English language vocalist Anil Bharati joined. The second EP on Philips label contained "Malai Velai", "Sihil Nuwan", "Surangana Vesvala" and "Mage Viyowen" and third EP contained "Iru Dina", "Sandai Tharui", "Muhudu Rella" and "Thakkita Tharikita."
At this time Clarence Wijewardena found a professional lead guitarist at a wedding. He was the maestro Dixon Gunaratne.
When Christmas bells chime this man is never forgotten with the breeze in December. The Sinhala channels take the lead with the popular Christmas hit "Bethlehempure". He is none other than the popular man who emerged from another Clarence Wijewardena group "Golden Chimes" – Anil Bharati. Clarence is a man who found new talent into Sinhala pop scene. Anil was one of them.
After evaluating Anil's performance for one year, Clarence Wijewardena decided to enter him into the Sinhala pop music scene. Clarence composed "Ada Wei Iru Dina" for Anil which became an all time hit followed by the lovely Christmas song "Bethlehempure" and "Maa Adarai Nangiye". Clarence offered him another all time hit "Tikirimalee" with "Ma Mulin Liyu Pem Pathe", "Desa Vidala", "Bambaraku Aduna", "Sarojini" and "Iru Dina Pamanak".

The Super Golden Chimes
In 1972 Clarence Wijewardena and Dixon Gunaratne left the Golden Chimes and they both formed a new band known as Super Golden Chimes also with the support of Annesley Malawana in 1973. Clarence formed the "Super Golden Chimes" back in the company of his lifelong friend Annesley Malawana. It was one of the most productive music groups in Sri Lanka and together they hit the number one slot in the Sri Lankan music charts on both the Sinhala and English Services of Radio Ceylon and subsequently the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. For many years they enjoyed the reputation as Sri Lanka's number one group in the 1970s and 1980s. After three years Clarence decided to go solo when Annesley Malewana announced his plans for marriage. The late Mike Gunesekere took over the Super Golden Chimes after Clarence left the group.

Experiments in Music
Clarence Wijewardena like the Beatles experimented with sitar music and introduced the sitar to some of the songs of the 'Moonstones.'
Clarence Wijewardena was a musician's musician. He had the ability to grasp new trends in modern popular music. For the first time (for a recording) he used a guitar wah wah pedal for the song 'Pemkathwawa.' Also the song 'Sigiriya' was the first Boss nova beat song in Sri Lanka & later he used this beat for the songs Piyaneni, Mage Palpathe, Muhudu Rella, Renin Piyabanna, Maliniye, Ramya (Previously sung by Clarence in 4/4 beat), Ran Monarun (Winslow Six), Lalitha Kala (Chithra Somapala) etc. Also he used two guitar players to play lead parts & counter parts of songs such as Sumudu Mal Pipinu, Dileepa Podi Puthu etc. For the first time in Sri Lanka he used the blocked guitar tone for the song 'Kusumalatha'. Clarence introduced some of the guitar techniques through his songs via a single guitar harmony style in the introduction of "Dellepa podi puthu" and arpeggio styles in "Sihina Lowak" and "Malata Bambareku Se".
"The Twist" was a dance in the 1960s, inspired by rock and roll music of the West. It became a worldwide craze, enjoying immense popularity among young people and drawing fire from critics who felt it was too provocative. Clarence composed a song Ma langin for this style and released the song in "Ugayen ugayata" cassette in 1989.
For "Dineka me nadee thira" he used mute guitar technique for the introduction. Some of the guitar techniques Clarence used in his songs are alternate picking, Chicken picking, Carter Family picking, Cross picking, Flat picking, Golpe, Hammer-on, legato, Pick tapping, Pinch harmonic, Pull-off, Slide guitar, Sweep picking and tap harmonic.

Tribute Songs
Clarence has composed and directed music for a number of songs for the daughters and sons of his friends and relatives. He composed 'Piyaneni' in memory of the late Reverend Canon Ivan Corea who was the father of Radio Ceylon broadcaster, Vernon Corea. Clarence had met Reverend Corea in Maha Nuge Gardens in the 1960s during his visits to meet with Vernon Corea. The song became an instant hit in South Asia and to this day it is sung by Annesley Malewana on his world tours.
Clarence composed a song for the son of Mr. & Mrs. Vijaya Corea and it was titled as "Viran Bilindhu Puthe" After that Clarence changed the chorus part of the song and sang that songs as "Kiri Muhuda Kalabala" Also Clarence composed a songs for the son of Chanaka and Lankika Perera and it was titled as "Sihina Pathum Wimane" Also the song "Bethlehempure" which was written by Sri Lanka's famed lyricist, Mr. Karunaratne Abeysekera, became an instant hit on the island. It was one of many songs capturing the Christmas spirit and the birth of Jesus. Clarence also composed 'Naththal Seeya' in the early 1970s.
Clarence's first solo is 'Dileepa podi puthu' was written by the legendary Radio Ceylon broadcaster, Karunaratne Abeysekera for his own son. Clarence appreciated the iconic work of Karu and wrote an instant song Seetha Pawan to express his gratitude on the day of the funeral of Karunaratne Abeysekera.

Film Music
Clarence Wijewardena entered the Film Music Industry at that time. The first film that was music directed by Clarence was 'Sikuruliya' and the sound track was supplied by the Golden Chimes - the film includes a scene where Clarence Wijewardena and the Golden Chimes perform at a party. Also for the music of the songs of Sikuruliya film, Clarence Wijewardena used western musical instruments as well as eastern musical instruments. The song 'Wasanthaye Mal Kekulay' which was composed by Clarence was the first song that consists 5 lines in the chorus part of the song.He directed music for the films in a different & unique style of his own.

Outstanding skills
Clarence Wijewardena showed his outstanding music skills during this time. He composed and directed music a song named as "Maha Balwathune" for the conference of the Non-Aligned Movement held in 1975 in Sri Lanka. He composed and directed music a song for the SAARC Conference as well. At the same time he sang the song "Duwani Sirima" when Hon. Former Prime Minister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike arrived as the chief guest for the opening ceremony of Ceramic Cooperation. Also Super Golden Chimes supplied music for that opening ceremony. Clarence Wijewardane certificated as the most popular composer in Sri Lanka for the years 1974 and 1976 by a pop poll conducted by Pop and Teen Fanfare. The song "Kataragama" which was composed by Clarence Wijewardane also certificated as the best song in Sri Lanka for the year 1974 by a pop poll conducted by Pop and Teen Fanfare.Clarence composed most number of songs for Kataragama God.
In the early 1970s Clarence Wijewardena invited the legendary Radio Ceylon broadcaster, Vernon Corea who had mentored him from the start to write the notes on a Lotus LP sleeve. Vernon Corea wrote: "We have all shared the treat of your lovely Lyrics, your tuneful compositions, your friendly presentation and your spontaneous sense of sharing with your followers, your treasury of talent. Keep going, keep growing, keep glowing".[1] In 1976 when Vernon Corea was invited to present the first Asian radio programme in English on BBC Radio London called 'London Sounds Eastern' he played the music of Clarence Wijewardena and Annesley Malewana , introducing them to a whole new audience in London.
Clarence Wijewardena started to sing for the Sinhala films under other music directors. Subsequently a Cassette Tape known as "Any Time Any Where" was released in Colombo. In 1979 Clarence Wijewardena left the Super Golden Chimes and started a solo carrier.

Cricket Fan
When the Sri Lankan Cricket team entered the world of test cricket in 1982 Clarence Wijewardena produced a cassette tape that contains songs regarding Cricket. Also Nihal Nelson, Vernon Perera, Mariazelle Gunathilake, Freddie Silva, Saman De Silva and Clarence vocalized this cassette tape. "Thana nilla dige" of Saman De Silva became a super hit during the season of test matches and every big match in Colombo.
Clarence was very worried and made a statement to 'Sathsara"(an art magazine in Sri Lanka) regarding the song "Thana nilla dige" and its singer Saman De Silva for not giving the due credit for the ownership of the song.

New Career
Clarence joined Sing Lanka Ltd. and acted as the General Manager. Sing Lanka recording studio was the first recording studio in Sri Lanka with multi tracks and Clarence was the pioneer to introduce this recording studio. During that time he directed music for a number of artists in Sri Lanka. He also produced a cassette tape named "Clarence with the Rising Stars".

Recording session
Directing music for tele dramas
Clarence Wijewardena directed music for the tele dramas Susima and Nidikumba Mal. He was the composer and the music director for all the six songs of Susima tele drama. During this time he got a special chance. That he was able to compose and direct music for Pandit Amaradewa. That song was Sasara Gewa Yana Diwi Gamane which contained in tele drama Nidikumba Mal. Also he composed and music directed a song which says about child abuse and other prohibited things happen in present society. That song was "Daesawan Dase" which contained in the Sihiwatana II Cassette Tape. When the royal tusker of the Temple of Tooth Relic died, Clarence Wijewardena composed and music directed a song about the royal tusker and it was named as "Kandu Sikarin Wata Senkadagala Pura". It was vocalized by the Ananda Perera who was the leader of the Siha Shakthi music band.

Melodies for jingles
Clarence Wijewardena became famous for his melodious and catchy jingles aired over the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. These jingles were Elasto, Bata, Astra Margarine, Bristol Cigarettes, Arpico, Dot Toffee, Singer, Edna Chocolate, Thultex, Ice-Cream Soda, Development Lottery, Dasuna Cartoon Paper, Atlas pens, Orex pens, Building Materials Co-operation (In Sinhala & English), Keels and Health Joy Soap etc. The song "Sigiri Ru Ladun Paradai" which he composed for the beauty queen contest became an instant hit.

Discovering new Sri Lankan Music Talent
He formed the Sri Lankan band "Madhara" in 1985 with Rookantha Gunatilake (Keyboards), Mariazelle Gunatilake (Keyboards/Female Vocals), Raju Bandara (Lead Guitar), Keneth De Silva (Bass Guitar), Prabath Bandara (Lead Guitar), Ajantha Dhampa Gamage (Drums) and rest of the other members of the group. During the 1980s he composed and directed music for number of songs and performed with well known music directors in Sri Lanka.
All of Clarence Wijewardena's compositions have been recorded at some of the island's best recording studios & under the best producing labels in Sri Lanka.Some of the early 1960s recordings were at Augie Ranaweera's studio in Bambalapitiya.

Later career
Clarence organised three musical shows with his lifelong friend Annesley Malewana and Indrani Perera at BMICH in Colombo.
Clarence proved to be quite a hit in London when broadcaster Vernon Corea aired his music over the airwaves of BBC Radio London 206 on his popular radio programme, 'London Sounds Eastern.' Clarence and Annesley frequently toured the United Kingdom in the 1980s playing to huge audiences in London.

Clarence with Indrani and Annesly
Controversy
Due, however, to the popularity of his songs (which has grown since his death), they have also become the subject of a lawsuit over illegally recorded renditions sampled by other Sri Lankan artists. Clarence's widow recent filed suit against Sebastian, hoping to recover a portion of the income earned through the use of her late husband's work.

Music
Sri Lanka's legendary musician, Clarence Wijewardena, composed and sang over 1000 of songs but 40% of them were not released because of the master recordings were under the custody of record producers. Some of the songs were released to the market without any authorized label after his demise. They did not get the attention of the fans of Clarence's because they were considered to be illegal and most of the FM broadcasting channels in Sri Lanka was not aware of them. It is unfortunate that most of these songs are not released officially and Clarence did not get the due credit for them.
Clarence spent more of his composing time for his fellow singers and he had never been offered the credit for them.
In the course of his career, Clarence wrote several songs that became classics in his own time - among these; Gamen Liyumak (Translated: A Letter From the Village), Hiruge Lowedi (Translated: In the World of the Sun), Kanda Surinduni ("O Lord God of the Mountain"),Piyaneni ("Father"), and Malata Bambaraku Se (Translated: Like a Bee To a Flower)

Sri Lanka's 'King of Pop'
Wijewardena died on December 13, 1996, at the age of 53, in Sri Lanka after a brief bout with cirrhosis of the liver.He also suffered from diabetes. Many of his songs are considered classics, and continue to enjoy ample airtime on Sri Lankan television and radio broadcasts and on some overseas radio stations. He will always be remembered as a pioneering musician from Sri Lanka and one of the island's 'greats' in terms of popular music. He was undoubtedly Sri Lanka's 'King of Pop.'

Mahagama Sekera

2009-10-30T01:59:00.000-07:00

Mahagama Sekera
Mahagama Sekara (1929-1976) is one of Sri Lanka's well known poets and was a significant figure in Sinhalese poetry. He was also a teacher, lyricist, playwright, novelist, artist, and a filmmaker. Sekera is best remembered as a poet and songwriter with several of his works even becoming popular songs in Sri Lanka. His works occasionally have an introspective Buddhist influenced outlook. His poems and songs remain widely quoted on the island nearly thirty years after his death. His demise at the age of forty-seven was considered a tragic loss by many in Sri Lankan literary circles.

Poetry
Vyanga (with K. Jayatillake)
Sakwa Lihini
Heta Irak Payai
Mak Nisada Yath
Rajathilaka Lionel saha Priyantha
Bodima
Nomiyemi
Prabudda

Novels
Thun Man Handiya

Films
Thun Man Handiya

Biographical Notes
Sekara was born in Radawana and had his initial education at Kirindiwela Maha Vidayalaya

Music of Sri Lanka

2009-10-30T01:52:00.000-07:00

Music of Sri Lanka
The music of Sri Lanka originates in cultural traditions deriving from three influences: the religious practices of Buddhism, the aftereffects of Portuguese colonization, and the commercial and historical influence of Indian culture - specifically, Bollywood cinema. The Theravada sect of Buddhism has influenced Sri Lankan Music since Buddhism arrived in Sri Lanka two millennia ago.

Portuguese colonizers arrived centuries after the Buddha, in the mid 1400s, bringing with them cantiga ballads, ukuleles and guitars; as well as African slaves (referred to, historically, as kaffrinhas), who brought with them a style of music now referred to as baila. The people of these two regions, and the musical traditions they brought with them, served to contribute further to the diverse musical roots of modern Sri Lankan music.

Folk Music
There are sets of folk poems (kavi) unique to members of different castes (farmers, cart drivers, miners, etc). These originated as a way to pass time for the individual groups as they engaged in their work. Today, they are sung as a form of cultural expression.
Kavi also exists that accompany folk rituals. The rituals are rarely performed today but the songs survive among folk musicians.
Another traditional Sri Lankan folk style is called the virindu. It involves an improvised poem sung to the beaten melody of a rabana. In the past there were contests in which two virindu singers would compete with verse.

Endemic Instruments (The Béra)
According to the historical record available today, it is believed that several instruments originated within the tribal groups that once inhabited the island presently known as Sri Lanka. Among these, seven remain in use:
1. Gáta Béra - Also referred to as the Kandyan Drum; it is a double-headed, barrel-shaped drum, that is played by hand).
2. Thammátama - A twin-drum (similar to the bongo) that is played with two sticks instead of by hand.
3. Yak Béra - Also referred to as the Low Country Drum; it is a double-headed, barrel-shaped drum, that is played by both hands (one in one side).
4. Udákkiya - A small, hour-glass shaped drum, that is played with one hand while the other hand modifies the tension of a cloth wrapped around its centere (thereby changing the pitch of the drum-head) .
5. Hand Răbāna - A drum similar to the tambourine (except in that it does not possess metal jingles)
6. Daŭla - A double-headed, barrel-shaped drum played by hand (on one side), and by a stick (on the opposite side).
7. Bench Răbāna - Similar to the hand rabana, except larger (it is often played by three to eight individuals simultaneously).
In addition to these drums, a new drum was recently created (in 2000) by Sri Lankan musician Kalasoori Piyasāra Shilpadhipathi, referred to as the Gaŭla - it is a barrel-shaped instrument containing one head from the Gáta Béra, and one from the Daŭla. A set of rudiments (practice rhythms) were also created by him to accommodate the instrument's unique tone.
Also in addition to these drums, the dhōlki is also used by many musicians - though this drum is believed to have descended from those brought to Sri Lanka from India - unlike the aforementioned instruments; which are believed to have existed in Sri Lanka prior to the arrival of the first Indian explorers (though this is difficult to verify due to the proximity of the two nations to one another - it is impossible to say, with any degree of certainty, that no cultural exchange occurred between the peoples of southern India and Sri Lanka prior to any particular date in history).

Western Music
Western classical music has been studied and performed in Sri Lanka since its introduction during the British Colonial period of the 19th century. The upper middle-class and upper-class citizens of the country traditionally formed the pedagogues, students, and audience of the Western classical tradition in the country, although western music is also offered as a subject at secondary schools and at tertiary level. The Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka is one of the oldest western orchestras in South Asia. The foundation of the National Youth Orchestra has helped increase interest and participation more widely in society and among young people outside Colombo. Many Sri Lankans have continued to reach the upper echelons of classical performance, including world renowned cellist Rohan de Saram, pianist Rohan de Silva [1], and many other composers, organists, and orchestral performers.

Recorded Music
The earliest stars of Sri Lankan recorded music came from the theater at a time when the traditional open-air drama (referred to in Sinhala as kolam, sokari or nadagam) remained the most popular form of entertainment. A 1903 album, entitled Nurthi, is the first recorded album to come out of Sri Lanka via Radio Ceylon. The station, which had long held a monopoly over Sri Lanka's airwaves, had been established in 1925, and one of Sri Lanka's pioneering broadcasters,Vernon Corea, almost immediately grasped the opportunity to introduce Sri Lankan Music on the English Services of Radio Ceylon.
In the wake of western and Indian proliferation in music, composer and singer Ananda Samarakoon emerged from training at Rabindranath Tagore's school at Shanthiketalan to develop a uniquely Sinhalese music tradition in 1939. His work such as "Punchi Suda", "Ennada Manike" and notably "Namo Namo Maatha" (adapted as Sri Lanka's national anthem later) established the sarala gee genre. Another artist Devar Surya Sena with his Western education was pivotal in popularizing folk songs of Sri Lanka to the English elite that bore higher status in the country at the time.
Kadawunu Poronduwa in 1947 brought about a film industry in Sri Lanka. In the late 1940s and 1950s Sinhala film music became the most popular with audiences; it was drawn heavily upon melodies found in Hindi and Tamil films - adapted to a Sri Lankan audience by substituting their original lyrics with Sinhala lyrics. Meanwhile, musicians like W. D. Amaradeva, Sunil Santha, Suriya Shankar Molligoda, etc. began experimenting with developing a Sinhalese music style. Amaradeva, trained at Shanthiketalan like Samarakoon, took up the Sarala gee tradition along with experimentation of raaga forms while Santha took a Western approach in his work.
Pivotal to the works of these musicians were songwriters like Mahagama Sekara and Chandraratne Manawasinghe who in their lyrics presentled deeply poetic, and honestly expressed, ideas - many of which also promoted a sense of nationalism in a nation that had received independence less than a generation before in 1948.
With the dawn of the 1960s and government restrictions on travel to India original compositions became in vogue in film music though a few popular films continued to tout stolen melodies under the hands of music arrangers like P. L. A. Somapala and Mohomed Sally.
The mid-1960s, saw the introduction of pop groups such as Los cabelleros led by Neville Fernando, The La Bambas, The Humming Birds and Los Muchachos; all of whom played calypso-style baila borrowing their style from Caribbean folk-singer Harry Belafonte. This mixture of Caribbean calypso with native baila was dominated by two groups: The Moonstones, and The Golden Chimes led by musicians Annesley Malewana and Clarence Wijewardene.
Sri Lankan pop/film music managed to hold a large portion of Sri Lanka's market during the late 1960s and early 1970s, but by 1980, Indian film music had again displaced local musicians as the highest-selling sector of the Sri Lankan music industry. In the 1980s the disco-pop musician Rookantha Gunathilake emerged to become one of the most popular artists of the time. Sarala gee artists like Edward Jayakody, Sunil Edirisinghe and Gunadasa Kapuge also gained fame in this period.
Since 1998, Many Pop/R&B groups have emerged in Sri Lanka - the most prominent of which is known as Bathiya and Santhush -- who draw inspiration from the Europop groups that visited the island. Among their accomplishments; they are the first Sri Lankan group to be signed to an international record label (Sony BMG), and were an integral component in the label's entrance into the nation's music industry in 2002/2003. They have received international awards for their compositions, and have performed in several countries - including on BBC radio in the UK.

Premakeerthi de Alwis

2009-10-29T16:32:00.000-07:00

Premakeerthi de Alwis
Premakeerthi de Alwis (June 1947- July 31, 1989) was a Sri Lankan broadcaster, lyricist and a popular television personality. He worked as an anchorman on state-run television.
de Alwis, who was 42, was dragged from his house outside Colombo and murdered by six gunmen of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) on the night of July 31, 1989. He was killed 8 days after another journalist, Thevis Guruge was gunned down by the JVP.

Karunaratne Abeysekera

2009-10-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

Karunaratne Abeysekera
Born. 1930 Colombo Sri Lanka
Died.1983
Nationality. Sri Lankan
Education. Nalanda College, Colombo
Occupation. Broadcastor
Known for Poetry and Songwriting Religious beliefs Buddhist
Karunaratne Abeysekera (1930–1983) was one of Sri Lanka's most famous Sinhala broadcasters. He was also an acclaimed poet and songwriter and was widely admired for his excellent command of Sinhala.
Abeysekera wrote the lyrics to over 2000 songs, a record for a lyricist in Sri Lanka. His compositions are still covered by some of the island's top musicians to this day, introducing his lyrics to new audiences in South Asia, and his songs are played regularly by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

Early years
Abeysekera was born on June 3 1930 in Ratmale near Matara in Southern Sri Lanka. He was educated at Nalanda College in Colombo. He was discovered by the children's radio programme Ḷamā Piṭiya ("Children's Field") hosted by Siri Aiya (Also known as U.A.S.Perera - Siri Perera Q.C) and broadcast over Radio Ceylon, the oldest radio station in South Asia. Ḷamā Piṭiya was a showcase for young talents, and Abeysekera performed with his poems on the Radio Ceylon programme in the 1940s. He was an instant hit with the general public and remained a pop icon until his death.

A teenage broadcaster
Abeysekera was a pioneering Sinhala broadcaster. He was a rare breed, a "teenage broadcaster" launching a broadcasting career with Radio Ceylon, which he joined in 1950 at the age of 20. In 1958 he was sent to London for specialist broadcasting training with the BBC. Studio 5 of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation has been named after him.

Career
Abeysekera was an announcer, compere, lyricist, dialogue writer, and poet - he also wrote children's stories. He worked very closely with another famous broadcaster, Vernon Corea. It was one of the most productive radio partnerships in Sri Lanka. His songs have been sung by a range of musicians, among them Nanda Malini, H. R. Jothipala, J. A. Milton Perera and Mignonne Fernando and the Jetliners. Abeysekera was also behind the Sinhala translation of classic hits such as ' Master Sir' written and composed by Nimal Mendis. Karunaratne Abeysekera won the prestigious Sarasaviya Awards for his lyrics on two occasions. The Government of Sri Lanka named a road after him in the capital city of Colombo.

Pioneer Sinhala cricket commentator
Abeysekera made history in the world of radio by being the first cricket commentator using the Sinhala language. He commentated on matches played by Ceylon against visiting English, Indian and Australian teams from the 1950s to the 1970s. He also commentated on local cricket matches. He had to devise cricket terminology to describe cricketing actions - this was uncharted territory in Sinhala; his words to describe various aspects of cricket are used to this day.

Quote on Karunaratne Abeysekera
"Karu (...) has won many awards for his lyrics and achievements in broadcasting and allied fields. Through his children's programmes of the then Radio Ceylon (now SLBC) thousands of young people were able to display their talent and a large number of them later became popular (...). Karu loved cricket." - Daily News (Colombo)

Milton Mallawarachchi

2009-10-29T16:05:00.000-07:00

Milton Mallawarachchi
Milton Mallawarachchi
Birth name . Milton Mallawarachchi
Born. April 7, 1945
Origin. Sri Lanka
Died. March 10, 1998
Occupations. Musician
Years active.1969 – 1998

Milton Mallawarachchi (1945 – 1998) was a popular Sri Lankan musician.
Mallawarachchi has sung songs by Karunaratne Abeysekera, K. D. K. Dharmawardena, Premakirthi de Alwis, Clarence Wijewardena, Upali Danawalawithana, Dharmasiri Gamage, Ajantha Ransinghe, Shelton Weeraratne, Kularatne Ariyawansa, Ananda Padmasiri, Vernon Perera, Chitrananda Abeysekera, Bandara Wijetunga and Vijaya Ramanayake.

Life and career
Early life and career
Mallawarachchi completed his early education at Ananda Sastralaya Kotte. He was a member of a short lived group called the Sakyans and subsequently the La Ceylonians. Mallawarachchi's vocals on the latter group's "Daha Duke Vidyahala" and "Mal Ravamal" led to his discovery by producer Patrick Corea. Kurera offered to record the young vocalist on four songs "Oruwaka Pawena," "Ran Kuduwak Oba Sadu," "Sansare Sewanale" and "Mangale Neth Mangale." The songs were released on the Exvee label as a 78 rpm record in 1969 and gave Mallawarachchi his first popular hit with "Oruwaka Pawena."

Music
In 1974 renown musician Clarence Wijewardena composed the songs "Gana Andure," "Eda Rae," "Mata Men Ohutada" and "Maga Thotadhii" for a Mallawarachchi EP release on Gemstone. Wijewardena would also write "Awasara Natha Mata," "Sulange Pawe," "Thaniwi Sitinai," and "Prem Raja Thahane" for Milton.
One of Mallawarachchi's most successful songs was "Mai Gaha Yata" done under the production of Melroy Dharmaratne in 1976. It was released on the Silverline label as an EP backed with "Ran Mudu" and two songs ("Andanne Epa" and "Ma Samanalayak") by Shiromie Fernando.
Mallawarachchi released one of the first music audio cassette's in Sri Lanka under the guidance of Wijewardene in 1978. It was titled Anytime-Anywhere and was on the Tharanga label.
Mallawarachchi debuted as a playback singer in the 1971 film, Poojithayo. In 1984, he was honored with a best playback singer award at the Sarasawiya Awards for "Kendan Yannam," a song from Sena Samarasinghe's Aethin Aethat.
Mallawarchchi was a popular live attraction; at a time when there was no TV in Sri Lanka, his appearances at variety shows sponsored by the Ceylon Tobacco Company drew huge crowds.Mallawarachchi appeared alongside the Super Golden Chimes at the Super Concert 101/102 organized by Wijewardene.
He died on March 10, 1998.

Personal life
Mallawarachchi was married to Swarna Mallawarchchi, and had four children: Ranil, Harshini, Nadija, and Tharaka. Ranil Mallawarachchi, the eldest, continues in his father's tradition

GAMINI FONSEKA

2009-10-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

Sembuge Gamini Shelton Fonseka (1936-2004) was an award winning Sri Lankan film actor and politician.

Early life
Fonseka was born on March 21, 1936 in Dehiwela the third child of William and Daisy Fonseka. Starting school at a Presbyterian institution, Gamini moved on to St. Thomas College, Mt. Lavinia. As a youngster, he gained repute for imitating administrative figures at school. Gamini also prospered in the study of the Sinhala language and literature in college and placed in the upper fourth for a Sinhala literature prize. The award for this achievement was presented to him by St. Thomas graduate and Sri Lankan prime minister D. S. Senanayake. Gamini was also an accomplished cricket player.

Film career
Entrance to film and the 1960s
Fonseka abruptly ended his secondary education and dove into the film industry. He originally wanted to be a cameraman and in this line worked as the second Assistant Director on David Lean's Bridge on the River Kwai and Lester James Peries' Rekava (1956). Fonseka was first on-screen in Rekava as part of a crowd. He also did some work on an English television series filmed in Sri Lanka.
Fonseka's first credited acting role was in Daiwa Yogaya (1959) in which he played a small role. Lester James Peries Sandesaya (1960) first established him in a leading role. With films like Adata Wediya Heta Hondai, Ranmuthu Duwa, Getawarayo and Dheevarayo Fonseka achieved popularity and became a box-office draw.
Seeking to not play just commercial roles, Fonseka appeared as Jinadasa in the groundbreaking Gamperaliya (1964) working again with Peries. In Titus Totawatte's Chandiya, Fonseka played the first anti-hero role in Sri Lankan cinema and in Mike Wilson's Sorungeth Soru (1968), he played the role of Jamis Banda, the Sinhala James Bond.
Fonseka also tried out directing to much accolade. His debut directorial work Parasathu Mal was warmly received.

1970s and 1980s
Fonseka's role as Willie Abeynayake in Nidhanaya (1970) is considered his crowning achievement. The film has been adjusted the best Sri Lankan film in several different critical works.
In 1980 Fonseka played Jaffna Tamil clerk Nadarajah in Sunil Ariyaratne's Sarungale.

Political career
In 1989, Fonseka entered politics after he joined the United National Party. He was elected to Parliament in 1989 as a representative of the Matara District and was appointed Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka. He was later appointed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga as Governor of the former North-East Province.

Death
Fonseka died at the age of 68 at his residence in Ja ela.

VIJAYA KUMARATUNGA

2009-10-29T15:42:00.000-07:00

Kovilage Anton "Vijaya" Kumaranatunga [1] (October 9, 1945 - February 16, 1988) also Vijaya Kumaratunga was a popular Sri Lankan film actor and politician, married to former Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga from 1978 to his assassination in 1988.

Family life
In 1978, Kumaratunga married Chandrika Bandaranaike, daughter of the late Sri Lankan prime minister Solomon Bandaranaike and former prime minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Vijaya Kumaratunga and Chandrika Bandaranaike had two children,Dr Yasodhara Kumaranatunga Walker and Vimukthi Kumaratunga is a Veterinary Surgeon in UK.

Cinema career
Kumaratunga's first film was Hanthane Kathawa, in which he played the lead role. Since then, in a career that spanned nearly two decades, he acted in 114 films including Eya Den Loku Lamayek (1975), Ponmani (1977), Bambaru Avith (1977), Ganga Addara (1980), and Baddegama (1980). He also won several awards. He was voted most popular actor in Sri Lanka from 1983 to 1988. Vijaya performed in one English film, The God King and one Tamil film, Nanguran during his career.

Political career
He was also a politician, who started his political life in the Lanka Sama Samaja Party. He later joined the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and was active in the presidential campaign of Hector Kobbekaduwa in 1982. After the election, he was jailed under the emergency regulations by JR Jayawardena for allegedly being a 'Naxalite' (a political creed hitherto and henceforth unknown in Sri Lanka), but he was never charged. He founded the Sri Lanka Mahajana Party (SLMP). He and his party argued for peace in the ongoing civil war in Sri Lanka.

Death and legend
He was shot in the head with a Type 56 Assault rifle outside his residence in the outskirts of Colombo on February 16, 1988 by Lionel Ranasinghe alias Gamini, who later confessed to the murder upon being questioned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Ranasinghe, in a 141 page statement, confessed that he was merely carrying out orders given to him by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna ("People's Liberation Front"), an armed Marxist organization which is responsible for assassinations during the late 1980s. His death is still mourned by many people in Sri Lanka.

H.R. JOTHIPALA

2009-10-29T15:38:00.000-07:00

Biography
Early life
Jothipala was born the first child of a middle-class family from Southern Sri Lanka. He attended St. Lawrence College in Maradana and St. John’s College in Dematagoda. Jothipala would visit tea kiosks during this period to hear music as his family didn't own a radio.
Jothipala made his debut as a playback singer on Cyril P. Abeyratne's Surathalee singing, "Siriyame Sara," in 1956. Prior to this he had recorded a song for the late Sirisena Wimalaweera's Podi Putha. This song didn't make the final cut, as the Indian film composer on the film didn't consider Jothipala's voice good enough.
Jothi has said that he contemplated taking his life when he went with his friends to watch Podi Putha and found out that his song was not included. Later when Surathalee producer Jabir A. Cader wanted to hear one of his songs to consider him for the film, Jothipala almost passed on the offer as he did not possess enough money to cut a record. He was helped out by veteran musician Stanley Omar who financed him for the sum of 35 rupees – a large amount at the time. Jothipala's song on the film, "Siriyame Sara," still remains popular in Sri Lanka. He sang the popular number under the direction of T.R. Papa at Wahini Studio in India.
Jothipala has worked with many reputed directors of Sri Lanka. In the early stages of his prolific career, Jothipala got the chance to work with prolific film maker, Lester James Peries on the movie Sandeshaya. Jothipala sang the song "Puruthugeesikara" for the film, which was composed by the legendary Sunil Santha and written by veteran lyricist Arisen Ahubudu.

Success
Jothipala was the undisputed choice in films that were made in the late sixties and through the seventies, the period during which he also began to act. Though Jothi was criticized for singing to the tunes of popular Hindi songs he also sang under the batons of Pandit W. D. Amaradeva, P.V. Nandasiri, Premasiri Khemadasa, Sarath Dassanayake and Milton Mallawarachchi.
He sang in hundreds of films including popular hits like Kasthuri Suwanda, Thushara, Sweeep Ticket, Hitha Honda Minihek, Kawuda Raja, Hondata Hondai, Wasana, Sangeetha and others. The award-winning singer also played some memorable roles in films including Ethulweema Thahanam, Sulalitha Sobani, Sujeewa, Sukiri Kella, Abirahasa, Bonikka, Shanthi and his own production Sumithuro'and "Obai Mamai".
In the music scene, no musical show was complete without Jothi in the seventies and eighties. Jothipala died in the first week of July in 1987.

NEW IMAGE

2009-10-27T00:48:00.000-07:00