Nishantha C. Peiris
If there was a voice capable of captivating a nation—a voice that can soothe and comfort the hearts and minds of its people—then that is truly a supreme, melodious voice of Dr. Nanda Malini, the celebrated voice of our nation who bid farewell to the nation last Friday leaving all Lankans in tears. She was a national treasure, a gift to this land. She was an exceptional artist and a truly great woman.
Born on August 23, 1943, in Levanduwa, Alutgama, she schooled at Sri Gunananda Vidyalaya in Kotahena during her youth. A turning point in her life came at the age of 13 when she participated in a kavi competition held at the Borella YMBA in 1956 and won a gold medal. This led to an invitation from Maestro W.D. Amaradeva that marked the most significant milestone in her musical career. It was in this manner—under the guidance of her teacher, T.N. Margaret Perera—that she embarked on her musical journey by participating in Karunaratne Abeysekera’s “Lama Mandapaya” (Children’s Pavilion) program on Radio Ceylon, where she sang “Budu Saadu,” her first-ever radio song.
Amaradeva selected her to provide playback vocals for ‘Ranmuthu Duwa’—the first Sinhala color film, released in 1963—because he recognized her exceptional vocal talent. For that same film, she sang the song “Galana Gangaki Jeevithe” (Life is a Flowing River)—penned by Sri Chandraratna Manawasinghe as his first-ever film lyric—in a duet with Narada Disasekara.
That film swept all the university awards in the music category that year, and she was honored with the award for Best Female Singer. Nanda Malini contributed her vocals to numerous films, and it is noteworthy that many songs which have left an indelible mark on the local music scene were brought to life by the melodious quality of her voice.
She studied classical music at the Bhatkhande Music Academy in India and obtained a master’s degree, and nurtured the country’s music industry in every way. She gave the country a number of extremely popular solo song concerts and song albums such as ‘Satyayade Geetha’, ‘Pavana’, ‘Hemanthiyala’, and ‘Pembara Lanka‘, and also created children’s songs including “Sindu Hodiya” for young children. She gifted the country a collection of children’s songs such as “Ayanna Kiyanna,” “Tikki Tikiri,” “Raththaran Rate,” “Ha Ha Hari Hawa,” and “Mal Kiyanne Kata Kata.” Her songs were distinguished by themes of Buddhist devotion and the artistry of refined vocal performance. She breathed life into the hearts of those who love their country and nation.
That is why Buddhist songs such as ‘Buddhanubhâvena’, ‘Budu Karunâ’, and ‘Dannô Budungç’ continue to resonate in our memories to this day. Songs like ‘Ammâvarunç’, ‘Ahasa Ahasç Oba Ananthai’, ‘Tharu Di Nidana Maha Rç’, ‘Manda Nâva Kârnâva’, ‘Ran Kenden Bända’, ‘Pûjâsanayç Oba Hiduvâ’, and ‘Sädä Kaluvara’ are creations that showcase the brilliance of her talent. Songs such as “Araliya Landa,” “Ruk-aththana Mala,” “Sari Podiththak Andagena,” and “Ran Giri Giri Gigiri Gigiri” are among the delightful vocal performances she delivered.
The collection of songs she performed—including “Yadamin Badha Vilangu La” (Bound in Chains and Shackles)—during the turbulent era of terror that gripped the country in the late 1980s stands as a testament to her courage. She consistently chose exceptional artistic works that resonated with the heartbeat of the people. She sang while seated upon the very soil of the land.
Throughout her life, she meaningfully endured the ‘Eight Worldly Conditions’ taught in Buddhism. There was hardly anyone who was not captivated by her voice. In recognition of her exceptional vocal talent, she was honored with numerous national and international awards, including 12 Sarasaviya Awards and 10 Presidential Awards for Best Female Vocalist.
All funeral arrangements will be carried out in a very simple manner as per her last wishes. Even though her body was laid to rest on Saturday evening, the thousand songs of Nanda Malini will continue to resonate for a long time to come.
from The Island https://ift.tt/UoC45qG
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