Shirley makes comeback with 'Waijayantha Gee'
Ruwini Jayawardana
After a lapse of 20 years popular musician and vocalist Shirley
Waijayantha will hold a musical show Waijayantha Gee at the BMICH on
November 4 at 6 p.m. He will also launch his latest collection of songs
in an album titled Ithin Kiyanna Aadare.
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Picture by Tennyson
Edirisinghe |
"This concert is a result of the requests of my fans. They were
asking me to hold such an event but I had been unable to attend to their
request for a long period due to my busy schedule," Waijayantha said.
The musical evening will comprise 20 well-known songs by the vocalist
such as Aatha Sithijayae, Dasata Huruwu, Kavada Da Ayae, Samawa Ithiriwa,
Mang Bolanda Wiyae and Mal Mal Hina. Music will be provided by Mahinda
Bandara and his band. Indrasiri Sauraweera will compere the event.
Shirley is a past pupil of Eeriyawetiya Maha Vidyalaya. He did not
study music but won many prizes for literary activities including
singing. Despite the fact that his parents wished him to be a doctor or
engineer, Shirley took up music under Visharada P. V. Nandasiri for his
Advance Level examination before going ahead to complete his Sangeetha
Visharada exam.
This ardent young musician got his break through while was at
Kaleniya Maha Vidyalaya serving as a music teacher. He was given the
opportunity to sing four songs for 'Sarala Gee', a musical programme
broadcast by SLBC. However there was no one to provide him with
guidance. What seemed to be a tragedy proved to be a blessing in
disguise as he was compelled to write his own songs and set them to
tune.
With the help of one of his old school friends, Lionel Nawanage and
his wife Sudharma Nawanage he was able to launch his first cassette
which also included two duets with Visharada Nanda Malini.
Shirley now serves as the Institute chief of Bellwood Aesthetic
Institute, Kandy, and is its Deputy Director.
"I joined the National Youth Service Council in the early 1980s. I
taught Chandralekha Perera, Somasiri Medagedara and Chandrasena
Hettiarachchi," he explained adding that there are around 40 staff
members to conduct the three-year courses. Each year the institute
enrols about 100 students.
"Our institute has recognition in the field. Therefore our students
are recruited as teachers and are taken into musical groups without
hesitation. They are well trained and their skills are recognised and
sharpened," he pointed out adding that the institute takes pride in
moulding and gifting young singers and musicians of repute.
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