VERNON PERERA A MULTI FACETED INDIVIDUAL, VOCALIST, LIRYCIST, MUSICIAN,AUTHOR, TRANSLATOR, DRAFTSMAN AT PEAK OF PINNACLE – By Sunil Thenabadu Image Source : Vernon Perera Facebook Vernon Perera  a pioneer vocalist in group songs in native Sri Lanka became instantly known and popular when he sang the song “Ru Siriya Ege” to the music melody of illustrated musician Clarence Wijewardena decades ago which incidentally was the theme tune of the famous program ‘Madu Rasanga” telecast over the Independent Television Network. This program was the brain child of PLA Somapala and the Chairman of ITN Thevis Guruge In the inaugural program it was Vernon who had invited few artistes for the program with Chanaka Fernando’s Golden Chimes band   Vernon was born to modest parents, father a Police Officer Earnest Perera  mother Avareen de Silva  a Housewife Vernon had been born in Galle on 10th May 1948 when father was assigned to cinnamon Garden ...

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Reminiscing Dr. Lionel Algama: Music Maestro,  Gifted, Innovative Musician, with Multiple Talents – By Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane Image Source : dailynews Dr. Lionel Algama the renowned and gifted musician, innovator teacher and composer passed away in the wee hours of Sunday at a private hospital after a brief illness. He was 74 years old at the time of his untimely demise on the 18th May 2008. He was a contemporary of famous musicians Dayananda Gunawardena and Pandit Amaradeva. In addition he was a ‘A’ grade singer, in Hindustani and Bengali as well, examiner, ‘A’ grade instrumentalist in ballet – stage – films – Teledrama – director, conductor, inventor of the original instrument called the ‘Soorthar’ and the sophisticated ‘Sree Veena’ which took him about 15 years to perfect. He made an enthralling demonstration of the ‘Sree Veena’ as far back as 1979 at a musical recital at the Bharathiya Vidya Bhawan (UK Centre), ...

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