Sri Lankan Musicians Archives

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), ...

VALE DESMOND KELLY – By Jude Goonewardane Appreciating Sri Lankan Musicians Jude Goonewardane · · Rest in peace Des! It is with a heavy heart I announce the passing of my dear friend Des Kelly in Dandenong, Melbourne Australia. Desmond Kelly is a Ceylonese musician who has entertained in Sri Lanka and in Australia. He was born in Colombo in 1936. Kelly was one of a group of musicians who was discovered by Radio Ceylon, now the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. Radio Ceylon gave him a platform for his songs and announcers Vernon Corea and Christopher Greet played his compositions on their music programs – Radio Ceylon made him into a household name – not only in Sri Lanka but also in the Indian sub-continent. His pop hit Dream World was in the hit parades in both Ceylon and India. He has also been featured in the top entertainment ...