the Manikawasagam brothers

The Era of the music scene in the years 1959 onwards became a wonderful time for those who loved music and Lennie and Lucian Silva were two brothers who dedicated their talent to the music industry and were best known as the “L BROTHERS” and it also provided much opportunities to those who had a natural talent to grab the opportunity to perform their trade to lovers of music. St Benedict’s college was the first school to encourage students education system. The college organized an annual singing competition which was open to students of St. Benedict’s college and Good Shepherd Convent which formed a platform for those having any musical ability to grasp the opportunity to showcase their individuality as a contestant in this competition which was titled “THE OUR OWN SHOW” and went on to become one of the biggest talent producing programs held during that time. The competition consisted of 12 finalists after the semi finals were held two weeks before the finals. This show became one of the most popular enterprising events originated by the school and went on to produce some of the best known musicians that took centre stage in the music industry in the years that followed. I can recall names such “Denzil & Bosco” Dynamite Lawrense Thuring, the Manikawasagam brothers, Wilma Squilin, Peter Prins, Telesphere Annandappa, Neville Cassiechetty, Terry Sousa, Dalrene De Kretser, Felix Fernando and Part of the JETLINERS, L BROTHERS, guest artist Kumar Molligoda, The Dharmaratne Bros, Evan Balasuriya and Calvin Vangranberg of the Savages and many others who solely stretched their careers to become professional entertainers and performed locally and overseas for many years. My apologies to those whose names I cannot recall after all these years, who went on to contribute to the music scene. I was fortunate to be a close friend of Lennie and Lucian and spent some time with the family and got the opportunity to travel with the “L Brothers” while they performed at school concerts and church carnivals which were the popular venues before the night club scene took control of the new night life that prevailed with all the talent that was available to the large number of entertainers that were at hand at the time. Those were the good old days, great entertainment, smiling faces, lots of fun and lucky to live in that era of wonderful music and no COVID19. Live life to the full, stay safe be happy. Franklin Holsinger
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THE L” BROTHERS” – By Franklin Holsinger