Vivian’s voice revived

Vivian de Silva Boralassa who had sung many memorable songs like Navathinna Tissa, Dura Penenana Thanithala, Nidiyahane Ayeda, Alokaya Me Yai, Nangi nangi Rupika and Ma Sangabodi is brought back into the spotlight as Sambudu Mangalle, a CD of her past hits will be launched at the John de Silva Theatre on May 22.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake will grace the event which is held to felicitate the vocalist’s 70 years with tunes.

Vivian was born on September 24, 1930, to G.F. de Silva and D.L. Sahabandu.

Her father was the owner of Safe Tours bus company. He had enjoyed producing stage dramas and had encouraged his daughter to take to aesthetics.

She had sung a duet with her uncle, G.R. Edward on radio. Her talent was soon noted and she was recognized as an A Grade vocalist.

As popularity came her way Vivian’s gramophone discs were sold by hundreds.

The Cargills company which produced her work was so impressed with her creations that they presented her with a radio gram that had the facility of inserting 12 discs.

She was at her pinnacle during the early 1950s. Many of the radio channels played her songs. She married C.S. Boralassa and the couple was blessed with four sons and two daughters. Later she became the grandmother of 13 grandchildren.

Dharmadasa Dias, Sarath Wimalaweera, Karunaratne Abeysekara and many others penned lyrics for her. B.S. Perera, Victor Perera, Premasiri Khemadasa, Sanath Nandasiri, Clarence Wijewardena and many more music directors set her songs to tune.

She had dueted with vocalists like Sunil Shantha, Kanthi Vakvella, Dharmadasa Walpola, Sisira Senaratne, Haroon Lanthra, H.R. Jothipala and Sanath Nandasiri.

RJ