Bonny a sparkling voyage in celebrity as a vocalist/entertainer for over four decades having made an indelible imprint in the music arena – by Sunil Thenabadu Bonny Fernando a native of Sri Lanka was born in Trincomalee, while a toddler his family had moved to Kurunegala. He has had his education at St Anne’s College,Kurunegala later at St. Benedict’s College,Kotahena had possessed a innate talent for music specifically in singing. Bonny had received tremendous inspiration from the music legend Clarence Wijewardena while in school had been a member of the musical band ‘Freedom’ which was formed after Bonny had successfully sung in many concerts. Very often the group ‘Freedom’ was allied to the popular “Super Golden Chimes” led by eminent Clarence Wijewardena. By singing English numbers Bonny had initially showcased his innate talent for music vocals. Bonny was indeed fortunate to have got the opportunity to sing at the then ...

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GEORGE SENANAYKE AN UNSELFISH MULTI TALENTED MUSICIAN,MUSIC COMPOSER DIRECTOR, SOUND ENGINEER AT APEX OF FAME FOR DECADES –By Sunil Thenabadu George Senanayake was born in the family with two brother siblings a native in Dehiwala area close to the Zoo. When he was around ten years old his father had decided to sell the properties to evade close relatives around settled to live in Homagama area, Has had had his education in Homagama area.His father who had worked in the Ceylon Electricity Board has had a craze for music often playing a ‘harmonium’ which comprised of pedals ,had been during leisure playing the ‘harmonium ‘ had singing many types of old songs.Young George had learnt to play the ‘harmonium’as a novice was able to grasp the manner of playing. There had been a ‘box’ guitar too at home.George has had  friend who could play ‘bass’ guitar very well. When George approached ...

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“Indrani Perera, Medley by: Shanika Arsecularathne” – By Des Kelly She did come to Melbourne for some performances, many years ago, and I was privileged to meet Indrani and actually sing “My Lovely Island Home”(to the tune of Dilhani In English, that I had composed), with Indrani singing the original of Clarence Wijewardena’s beautiful song, on the same stage, that evening. Our packed audience really enjoyed the combined effort, and later, I met Indrani backstage & congratulated her on being, in my opinion, the BEST female Vocalist at the time, back home. She sang her songs with so much feeling, it was a pleasure to hear her, and now, glory be !, here is Shanika, one of the youngsters of Sri Lanka, with a most beautiful voice herself, singing a medley of “Indrani songs” including Dilhani, which is my Pick, as the most endearing, Sinhalese song ever written & performed ...

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LEGENDARY INDRANI PERERA REMINISCED AFTER SIX DECADES OF DOMINANCE IN MELODIC ARENA – by Sunil Thenabadu Indrani Perera is the celebrated Sri Lankan singer and playback singer labeled as the “Nightingale of Sri Lankan music” who was along with Clarence Wijewardena and Annesley Malewana are known as the “Original Sinhala Pop Trio”. She was born in Borella ,a resident of Rajagiriya is the second of three girls in the family. Her father, Abeypala Perera was a Buddhist, mother, Muriel Perera was a Christian. She has one elder sister, Mallika and one younger sister, Iranganie. Indrani studied at Presbyterian Girls School in Regent Street., Clifford Girl’s College and later at Stafford College to study medicine having been interested to be a doctor. Indrani had been an avid reader focusing mainly on Martin Wickremasinghe’s novels. She had studied Kandyan Dancing in the school but had been following, singing mainly English songs.  Her sister Mallika ...

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“Bolanda Katha Kiyala – Keerthi Pasquel – by Des Kelly   The guy singing the song, which was composed by a singing group named the Los Flamencos, before they added the adjective ‘Super’ to their name (please someone, correct me, if I am wrong), is, like ‘Dilhani’, written by the late, great, Clarence Wijewardena, another beautiful Sinhala Song, “covered” equally well, by Keerthi Pasquel, whom I did meet many years ago,when he was doing a concert in Melbourne.  A nicer, more humble bloke, would be impossible to find. He was also an experienced bass-guitarist, who went on to teach the youngsters in Sri Lanka later on, to play  both bass and rhythm/lead guitars, to the best of his ability. I have not had the privilege of meeting many of their famous Entertainers, but was lucky to meet just a few, and Keerthi certainly was one of them. ...

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Shyami Fonseka: Phenomenal songster reminiscence – by Sunil Thenabadu   Shyami Fonseka is a popular vocalist, who possesses a good singing voice, self confidence, love for music, commitment, patience, determination, and discipline with ability to accept criticism. Above all Shyami has hereditary affiliations for her journey in music as father and grandfather both competent musicians with ability to sing and play any musical instrument. Father is a full time musician, mother is a teacher all six siblings three in each gender all could sing well. Hence from her younger days music was heard within her dwelling. Together with her innate singing ability it was a morale booster for Shyami to pursue a career in singing which she had commenced in around year 1976. She had been never thought music by anyone but the environment at home had made her to be a self-made and thought vocalist. Shyami had confessed that it ...

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The roots of music in Sri Lanka has five primary influences ancient folk NADEEKA GURUGE GUITARIST,COMPOSER, VOCALIST, AWARD WINNING PHENOMINAL MUSIC DIRECTOR  AT THE HELM OF FAME -by SunilThenabadu   The roots of music in Sri Lanka has the primary  influences in ancient folk rituals. Hinduism religious traditions, Buddhist religious customs, the heritage of European colonisation, the antique and commercial of neighboring Indian philosophy precisely Kollywood and Bollywood cinema. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in Sri Lanka in the sixteenth century with their traditional music along with Africans to spread their own style of music called ‘baila”.The influence of both European and African traditions served to further diversify the musical roots of the contemporary Sri Lanka music.  As opposed to European classical concert music, folk music was the music of the common people. Folk music was derived from the German word “volk”, which essentially means “ the people”. Folk music ...

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SHYAMI FONSEKA A PHENOMINAL SONGSTER POSSESSING A DECORATED VOICE, TEACHER, SACRIFICED LUCRATIVE MUSICAL VOCATION FOR FAMILY UNIT – by Sunil Thenabadu   Shyami Fonseka as a popular vocalist possesses a good singing voice,self confidence,love for music,commitment,patience, determination, discipline with ability to accept criticism .Above all Shyami has hereditary affiliations for her journey in music as father and grandfather both competent musicians with ability to sing and play any musical instrument. Father is a full time musician, mother is a teacher all six siblings three in each gender all could sing well.Hence from her younger days music was heard within her dwelling. Together with her innate singing ability it was a moral booster for Shyami to pursue a career in singing which she had commenced in around year 1976.She had been never thought music by anyone but the environment at home had made her to be a self-made and thought vocalist.Shyami ...

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POPULAR ENTERTAINER DESMOND DE SILVA NO MORE! (13 JULY 1944 – 09 JAN. 2022) – Iconic entertainer bids farewell – by Upali Obeyesekere It is with profound sadness we learn that popular entertainer Desmond de Silva succumbed to a heart attack whilst in Melbourne today. A living legend he was born in Matara but bred in Colombo. His versatility was limitless – singing in both English and Sinhala with relative ease and sometimes even in Tamil. Des was 77 at the time of his sudden demise. He was one of the greatest Sri Lankan entertainers of our time with a super stage presence. A resident of Sydney, Australia, Des was in Melbourne to perform at the New Year’s Eve dance on December 31st. Desmond Anaclitus Rajiva de Silva launched his music career in 1963 or 1964, as lead vocalist of FIREFLIES band led by Milroy de Silva with Darrell de ...

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