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Down musical memory lane … on Alive 90.5 FM Reminiscing the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s music scene in Colombo. – By Aubrey Joachim “You can take the Sri Lankan out of Sri Lanka, but you cannot take Sri Lanka out of the Sri Lankan”. So said Pam Rajapaksa – host of Lankan Fusion an interesting radio show on Alive 90.5 FM when she and I sat to reminisce the music scene of Ceylon in the bygone years. Reminiscing the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s conjures in every Sri Lankan of that era the halcyon days when life was a breeze in a country that offered so much. Many Lankans who now live in countries across the globe can only pine over those days and refer to Ceylon as a one-time paradise on earth over a drink or a meal. While that era is a kaleidoscope of memories, what stands out most ...

Jan 20, 2024 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Aubrey Joachim Tagged 50’s, 60’s and 70’s music scene in Colombo, Aubrey Joachim, Radio Ceylon

Amaradeva Master’s 96th birth memorial will be held on December 5th. – By Gamini Kariyawasam The 96th birth anniversary of Pandit Amaradeva, who conquered the local music scene, will be celebrated on December 5th. Sri Lanka, a land of breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture, is also home to some of the most remarkable personalities. Among these icons, the name W.D. Amaradeva stands tall as a musical legend who has left an indelible mark on the nation’s cultural heritage. In this article, we pay tribute to the life and legacy of W.D. Amaradeva, a musical maestro who will forever be remembered for his extraordinary contributions to the world of music. Wannakuwatta Waduge Don Albert Perera, known to the world as W.D. Amaradeva, was born on December 5, 1927, in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. His journey into the world of music began at a young age, when he started playing the violin. His ...

Dec 2, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Dr. Gamini Kariyawasam Tagged Amaradewa, eLanka, Gamini Kariyawasam, Mahagamasekara, Music, Radio Ceylon, Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Best Singer, The 96th birth anniversary of Pandit Amaradeva, W.D. Amaradeva

A humble woman with a heart of kindness and compassion Monica Doreen Corea, wife of the late Radio Ceylon/SLBC and BBC broadcaster, Vernon Corea, passed away peacefully in New Malden, Surrey, in the United Kingdom, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Monica passed away on Monday, November 13, aged 94. She was a very humble woman who had a heart of kindness and compassion. Monica’s late husband was the legendary, pioneering Radio Ceylon and BBC broadcaster, Vernon Corea. We arise by lifting others and Monica stood by her husband and together they lifted many, from all walks of life, including Clarence Wijewardena, Annesley Malewana who visited their home at Maha Nuge Gardens in the early 1960s, future Radio Ceylon/SLBC broadcasters including her husband’s cousin Dr. Vijaya Corea. Many years later Vijaya, together with his late wife Ranjini, stayed in their home in Wimbledon Village during a visit ...

Nov 21, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Obituaries Tagged BBC broadcaster, Monica Doreen Corea, Radio Ceylon, Vernon Corea

RADIO CEYLON – THE KING OF THE AIRWAVES IN SOUTH ASIA FROM THE 1950′ -1970’s Going Down Memory Lane …………. This Group was launched to celebrate the success of Radio Ceylon. Edward Harper who came to Ceylon as Chief Engineer of the Telegraph Office in 1921, was the first person to actively promote broadcasting in Ceylon. In the first ever radio experiments in Colombo, gramophone music was broadcast from a tiny room in the Central Telegraph Office with the aid of a small transmitter built by the Telegraph Department engineers from the radio equipment of a captured German submarine. The experiment was a real success and three years later, on December 16, 1925, a regular broadcasting service came to be instituted in Ceylon – the station was called Colombo Radio with the call sign ‘Colombo Calling.’ Harper also founded the Ceylon Wireless Club together with British and Ceylonese radio enthusiasts in ...

Nov 12, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Edward Harper, Engineer, Radio Ceylon

Musician RA Chandrasena: his legacy and inspiration to all musicians – by Sunil Thenabadu There is no lasting spot for exploits and fame or you may quote Mark Anthony’s phrase. ”The good that one does is often interred”. The veritable truth of this statement is often witnessed in contemporary lives. Lofty and amazing feats of human endeavor very often failed to be lauded and commemorated by the state. Memories linger only in the minds of the fellow citizen. Human memories being frail they very often fade away Queerly, however, the two state television broadcasters have decided to air two-hour commemorative programs titled appropriately as Nomiyena Sihinaya and Peo Legend to honour past legends. A legend who deserves a permanent place in these commemorative endeavours is Ranasinghe Arachchige Chandrasena Perera, musician 1940 – 1980. For many years to come, RAC will be spoken of as the father of the contemporary Sinhala ...

Feb 28, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Sunil Thenabadu Tagged Carol Cart Singer, Chandrasena Institute of Music, Chandrasena Perera, Dharmadasa Walpola, Eddie Jayamanne, GSB Rani, Latha Walpola, Milton Perera, Mohideen Beg, Nihal Nelson, Punsiri Soysa, RA Chandrasena, Radio Ceylon, Rukmani Devi, Shirley Blight, Sinhala films, Sinhala music, Sriyani Perera, Sujatha Perera, Suriya Rani, Victor Ratnayake .HR Jothipala

EVERGREEN CHRISTO NOW PARALYZED IN TWILGHT YEARS – By Sunil Thenabadu Image Source : sundaytimes Ever green veteran oldest Sri Lanka’s living vocalist Adihettige Christopher Emmanuel Paul was born on 10th April 1936 as the eldest son of SA Paul who was an ex-serviceman and an employee of Registrar General’s Office from Moratumulla, Moratuwa. Christo as he is fondly called has had his education at St. Sebastian’s College Moratuwa. In his senior classes there had been famous Roy de Silva and Freddie Silva. The trio had been famous in wearing wedding attires to ‘gate crash’ wedding parties to eat and drink, then to vanish from the reception halls before getting apprehended. His close associates then were renowned musician Patrick Denipitiya, vocalists CD Fonseka, Maurice Dahanayake who were all senior. It was his music teacher in class Francis Perera who had identified his singing talents had advised him to go for Sunil ...

Nov 29, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Sunil Thenabadu Tagged CD Fonseka, Christoper Paul, Maurice Dahanayake, musician, Patrick Denipitiya, Radio Ceylon, Sri Lanka vocalist, Sri Lankan singer

Guridevi Music Visharada Sunil Santha the sage, model Sri Lankan music, composer, singer, lyricist, forerunner to our new music culture terminating the Indian culture – by Sunil Thenabadu Gurudevi Sunil Santha renowned as “Mihikatha Nelevu Gee Handa”, was born on 14 April 1915 on a Sinhalese New Year’s Day in Dehiyagatha, Pamunuwa, Ja-Ela, Sri Lanka was named by his parents as “Baddaliyanage Don Joseph John”. Both his parents very sadly had died before he was two years old, was raised by his grandmother. He loved the environment,particularly the flora and fauna around his village. When young he had loitered predominantly around Dehiyagatha,Pamunugama and Dadugama areas enjoying, viewing the beauty of the vegetation, flora, fauna and of the Dalugama oya and small lakes around the vicinity . At an early age he came to the limelight when he played ‘King Dutugemunu’ in a village play having had abundance of innate talent for art. ...

Sep 22, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Sunil Thenabadu Tagged Lionel Edirisinghe, Munidasa Kumaratunga, Olu Pipila, Radio Ceylon, Sri Lankan

Singing “Sukiyaki” in difficult times – By GEORGE BRAINE All round the world, at the height of covid, people paid tribute to frontline medical workers in various ways. In Japan, where I live, thousands across generations – from schoolchildren to grandparents – sang a 60-year old song, “Ue O Muite Aruko” (“I look up as I walk”). Known to the rest of the world as “Sukiyaki”, the song became an instant hit in 1961 and went onto become one of the world’s best-selling singles of all time. This song has a special resonance for me. I first heard “Sukiyaki” on Radio Ceylon being sung by The Blue Diamonds, two brothers of Indonesian/Dutch origin. The lyrics went “The charms of Sukiyaki The arms of Sukiyaki Are all I long for since I left Nagasaki Why did I roam Far away from home I hope that she will wait for me …” ...

Sep 15, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, George Braine Tagged Japan song, Kyu Sakamoto, Radio Ceylon, Sukiyaki song lyrics in english, Ue O Muite Aruko

PLA SOMAPALA UNDISPUTED KING OF MUSIC, REVOLUTIONARISED MUSIC RENDERED AN UNIQUE INFLUENCE TO NATIVE SRI LANKA – by Sunil Thenabadu Image source : facebook Peragaswatte Liyana Acharige Somapala (13 September 1921 – 26 March 1991 Actively involved with music between years 1940 – 1991, popularly known as P. L. A. Somapala was a Sri Lankan singer, musician and playback singer dominating as a musician in gramophone ,radio, films and television eras, triumphant in musical instruments sitar and violin. His music genres extensively wide-ranging from pop,soul, Hindustani classical music and Indian classical music One of the earliest pillars in Sinhala classical songs, Somapala made several contributions to early Sinhala cinema as a playback singer and music director along with his wife Chithra Somapala who has had vast singing expertise who could be easily classified alongside Ruckmani Devi, Latha , Sujatha and Anjeline. PLA as often reminisced was born on 13 September 1921 in Maligakanda, Comombo ...

Aug 23, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Sunil Thenabadu Tagged A. D. Edmund, Chithra Somapala, P. L. A. Somapala, Radio Ceylon, Ruckmani Devi, Sirisena Wimalaweera, Sri Lankan singer, Sunil Shantha

The Legend Desmond De Silva is honoured on the King & I Casey Radio 97.7 FM Corinne & Ian hosts of the “King & I” Program on Casey Radio 97.7FM paid tribute to Desmond De Silva to mark 3 months passing of Sri Lanka’s popular & Iconic Legend. The tribute was on their show on Friday 22nd April. A link to the Tribute is Corinne & Ian are consummate professionals who love their service to the community through their 2 hour program every Friday night between 8- 10 pm. ‘What inspired them to host this program’ I asked of Corinne and here is their story. Since Corinne was eight years old she has been writing under the close guidance of her late Dad, Douglas Noel Pereira (D.N.P.) who was a teacher of English and the Classics at St. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia in Sri Lanka. As a child Corinne had ...

Apr 27, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Casey Radio 97.7FM, Desmond De Silva, Radio Ceylon, St. Thomas’ College, The King & I