Turn back time
Prem-Abey-Niranjala’s tuneful tracks rejuvenated:
Ruwini Jayawardana
Abeywardena and Niranjala
Balasooriya’s cassettes:
* 1991 – Kalpana Lova
* 1994 – Ran Reka
* 1996 – Anuradhapuraya Obai
* 1999 – Sunflowers Samaga Abey
* Twelve CDs titled Aby-Niranjala Vishista Gee
have also been launched
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Abeywardena and Niranjala
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Music was his childhood muse. Inspired by his father, Kandappuhami, a
talented harmonium player, he began to pursue a dream to etch his mark
in the musical arena. His path was no bed of roses. It was a hard earned
venture which finally earned him his space as a versatile vocalist and
musician in the local music scene.
Tun Path Rata, a musical evening to commemorate the 66th birth
anniversary of the late renowned vocalist Abeywardena Balasooriya will
be held on March 9 at 6 pm at John de Silva theatre. A CD which
comprises lyrics penned by the late wordsmith Premakeethi de Alwis and
sung by Balasooriya and his wife Niranjala Sarojini will also be
launched. The CD, titled Apa Gayu Prem Ge Gee, comprises 20 tuneful
tracks such as Danan Handununkam, Kothanada Inne, Kocchara Keruwath,
Kula Mala BandiLova Nisasala Vee and many others. Many leading vocalists
in the country will render their voices to add glamour to Tun Path Rata,
the musical evening. Jagath Wickramasinghe, Kithsiri Jayasekara, Mithra
Kapuge, Rashmi Sangeetha, Indika Upamali, Anuradha Nandasiri and
Sewwandi Ranatunga will sing while Manoj Pieris will provide music. The
Kulasiri Budawatte dance troupe will enchant the onlookers with their
dance items. Senior Professor Sunil Ariyaratne and Divayina Editor
Gamini Sumanasekara will make speeches. Ravindra Guruge and the TVT team
will record the event that will be compeered by media personality Saman
Athavuda.
Nicknamed Chooti Ralahamy, Balsooriya began his tuneful venture with
Sarasvathi Mandapaya. On January 29, 1963, he passed the examination
conducted by Navaka Mandala program and got the opportunity to show off
his singing talents to the world.
Ironically after he achieved this status, he arrived home to the news
that his father had passed away. This broke his spirits but in 1966 he
rekindled his musical interests again after applying for the Sara Gee
examination.
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Abyewardena Balsooriya |
He was adjudged with an A grade singer after singing Prof Sanath
Nandasiri’s Nirvana Swarna. Though he was employed at the Air Force, he
soon noted that it was a barrier to his singing skills. He quit his job
and joined the Paddy Marketing Board as a technical officer.
The head of the board, M J Perea, was an art enthusiast and he helped
the young vocalist excel in his chosen field.
He soon went in search of Malkanthi and Sanath Nandasiri and they
helped him make it big in the industry.
His first song was Kavurudo Kavurudo which was panned by Karunaratne
Abeysekara and set to music by Sanath Nandasiri.
Later he took part in a number of radio programs rendering his voice
to enthrall listeners on Swarna Varna, Swarna Rangana, Miyarasa Vindana,
Nurthi Gee and Prabuddha Gee. Dr Victor Ratnayake, Dayaratne Ranatunge,
Sarath Dassanayake, Dr Ajantha Ranasinghe and Prof Sunil Ariyaratne too
helped him develop his skills.
He sang his first movie song Bonda Meedum Kanduralle with Sujatha
Attanayake. Balsooriya met Niranjala while singing in for SLBC’s Upuli
album. He attained a scholarship to Germany after joining Sri Lanka
Rupavah;ini Corporation. He even took part in the International Record
and Music Publishing Market fiesta representing the television.
The first of his popular musical concerts Tira was launched in 2006.
Besides Balsoooriya, his wife Niranjala, Victor Ratnayake and Mahendra
Pasquel were part of Tira. The concerts toured the island as well as
many foreign countries.
He passed away on March 26, 2010. |
