Waada baila Archives

Baila: A Sri Lankan Folk Music – By Randika Jayakody & Jerome Perera source : Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – November 2023 Baila was the fortuitous creation bringing together the multicultural communities that existed during the time of Portuguese Ceylon. It famously combined the influences of Afro Rhythms, Portuguese violins and guitars, Malay drums, and the Sinhalese, Tamil, and English languages. Evolving out of Kaffringha, the progenitor of Baila, this musical genre is iconic of Sri Lankan culture. Portuguese arrival in Ceilao (Ceylon) is dated to 1505 and no clear date can be identified when the musical style evolved, but it is safe to say that this means Baila is therefore at least 500 years old.This makes Baila one of the oldest continuous musical styles in Sri Lanka, predating more classical styles of music by centuries. There are several forms of Baila including Papare and Calypso Baila, Waada Baila ...

Eleven Things We Have The Burghers To Thank For-by Shannine Daniel Source:Roar.media Sri Lanka’s Burgher community, as we know, is an ethnic group of people with mixed European and Lankan heritage, and they have been present on the island for centuries. Over the decades they have contributed immensely to Sri Lankan culture, and some of their customs have been integrated into modern Sri Lankan society. Here’s a look at some of their more popular contributions, to music, food and clothing, and more: 1. Baila The word Baila is derived from the Portuguese verb bailar, which means to dance. An integral part of the Sri Lankan music scene, baila became popular in the early 1960’s, thanks to the infamous Wally Bastiansz. Bastiansz, who was of mixed Sinhala and Dutch Burgher descent, was a skilled guitarist, banjo player, and violinist. Wally Bastiansz, the ‘Father of Baila’ in Sri Lanka. Image courtesy wallybastiansz.com Historically, baila originated from the Kaffirs, the African slaves ...