‘Baby Shyama’ of ‘Konda namagena’ fame, 50 years celebrity in Canada
View(s):The child singing prodigy Shiromi Fernando, born in year 1960 ‘Baby Shyama’ celebrity domiciled in Canada is planning to commemorate her golden milestone in singing since coming to fame in year 1971 with her ‘Konda Namagena’ song.
‘Konda Namagena’ song was recorded with four other songs on an EP Record for the Sooriya Label in early 71. The lyrics and music compositions of this song and three other songs ‘Amma Pembara Amma’, ‘Sakala Bujan’ and ‘Handa Haami’ recorded together in a disc under famous Soorya label which were sold then, as hot cakes at the Children’s book shop.
Shiromi Fernando
This was a feather in the cap for the eleven year old Shiromi as her disc was grabbed by music enthusiasts when in the same era with discs of songs sung by then famous artistes reminiscing, ‘Moonstones’, ‘Dharmaratne Brothers’, ‘Mendis Foursome’, ‘Golden Chimes’, ‘Samanalayo, ‘La Bambas’, ‘Three Sisters’, ‘Spitfires’, esteemed individual artistes like MS Fernando, Paul Fernando, A E Manoharan, Priya Suriyasena, Milton Mallawarachchi, Dalrene Arnolda etc.
All of them owe their stardom, fame in pop music to ‘Sooriya’ owned by Gerald Wickremasooriya.
Shiromi was born in year 1960 to parents Stanley and Swetee Fernando in Kotahena, had her primary and secondary education at the Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena. Her father had died when she was a toddler. She had been brought up by her grandmother Stellar Dharmaratne, the founder of renowned ‘Dharmaratne Brothers’. It should be quoted that it was Melroy himself a reputed musician and famous lyricist who had not only trained Shiromi in vocals but had written lyrics of all songs sung by her. When she was barely nine years old, she had sung in school concerts and as well as public concerts in and around Colombo. But as she needed brushing up for two years to record songs. It had been Melroy who was able to groom her at such a delicate age.
Initially the owner of Sooriya had refused to record her songs. By sheer quirk she had got an opportunity to listen to her ‘Konda Namagena’ song at the Radio programme ‘Handamama’. Having observed her vast talent, her song had been engrossed to be included in the programme ‘Geetha Dhaara’ also a programme produced by Lambert Pemmawadu, where ten most popular songs were played in the programme.
This had caused a stirring among the singing audiences. Gerald Wickramasooriya having heard her talent had told Melroy Dharmaratne to compose three more songs with music. Melroy had composed the songs ‘Sakala Bujan, ‘Pembara Amma’ and ‘Handa Maami’ which were recorded to a ‘Sooriya’ label disc which had been sold briskly.
After marriage Shiromi had migrated to Canada in year 1989.Unfortunately her beloved husband had died of cancer in year 2003.But as a teacher until today, she had been able to bring up her daughter and son who are now both married. It is learned that daughter is following her footsteps and the son owns a DJ who is popular in Canada. Shiromi had been signing in concerts and parties in Canada but owing to thyroid cancer she had lost her voice. By God’s grace she is now recovered, would be performing at the proposed concert to celebrate 50 years of singing.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane
