Baila: A Sri Lankan Folk Music – By Randika Jayakody & Jerome Perera
source : Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – November 2023
Baila was the fortuitous creation bringing together the multicultural communities that existed during the time of Portuguese Ceylon. It famously combined the influences of Afro Rhythms, Portuguese violins and guitars, Malay drums, and the Sinhalese, Tamil, and English languages. Evolving out of Kaffringha, the progenitor of Baila, this musical genre is iconic of Sri Lankan culture.
Portuguese arrival in Ceilao (Ceylon) is dated to 1505 and no clear date can be identified when the musical style evolved, but it is safe to say that this means Baila is therefore at least 500 years old.This makes Baila one of the oldest continuous musical styles in Sri Lanka, predating more classical styles of music by centuries. There are several forms of Baila including Papare and Calypso Baila, Waada Baila and energetic type of music which pits the musical and poetic skills of each singer against each other.
Waada Baila artists are often provided a topic around which they must create rhyming verses to a musical backing that plays continually. The poetic skill wielded by Waada Baila singers is truly spectacular and I encourage readers to find clips on YouTube.
Then there is the ever popular Chorus Baila and Baila dancing among the classical forms of this truly Lankan music. The Portuguese word Bailar means “to dance” and this music is an integral part of the Sri
Lankan Portuguese Eurasian and Afro Ceylonese community’s dancing culture.
True to its folk roots, Baila music deals with the intricacies of the life of common individuals, as evident in the songs like Race Potha, discussing the damaging effects of gambling, or Muhude Yamu discussing the travails of the life of fisher folk. Similarly the song Asai Bayai and Podi Wije discusses national issues. Songs such as Kompanya Vidiya by Desmond De Silva discusses multiculturalism and reality of
interethnic mixing with reverence and fondness. In doing so, Baila music functions like a time capsule for the sentiments of the population.
Baila exists in English, Sinhala, Tamil and other languages of Sri Lanka and thereby acts as a uniting force amongst communities. It is important to consider that whilst other forms of music have existed in Sri Lanka, none have survived continuously over the centuries to remain intact and in common use across the islands like Baila has. Baila music is ubiquitous in weddings, at celebrations, on road trips, and at family gatherings, bajau’s and sing-songs.
That a musical style that is over half a millennium old is not considered an international treasure, regarded as historically invaluable and promoted, is the result of years of neglect. Often disparagingly called “Thuppahi Baila” and regarded as an immoral type of music due to its Portuguese origins and references to real life, Baila has often been discounted as an art form, thereby undermining its cultural transmission.
We hope that during our lifetime, this valuable form of music becomes internationally recognised for the invaluable contribution it has made to the tapestry of world music.
Randika Jayakody & Jerome Perera
Among Randika and Jerome’s many interests is a deep passion to understand Sri Lankan history and culture.
