Victor's 'Ran Tikiri Sina' on Star Parade
Victor Silva, the original Singer of popular song 'Ran Tikiri Sina' will be featured on "Stars on Parade" on Sunday at 1.00 p.m. on the English service of the SLBC.

This is the second leg of the programme on Victor Silva interviewed by Bevil Palihawadana.

The first programme broadcast on November 16 featured three songs by Victor, 'Suneetha' Langama (CTB) and 'Surath Menika'.

'Ran Tikiri Sina' (originally sung for the film 'Ganga Addara'), 'Koheda Mage Daya' (from the teledrama 'Pitagankarayo') and 'Maw Pem' will be featured on the December 7 programme.

The song 'Ran Tikiri Sina' was composed by Nimal Mendis in 1979 as the theme song for Sumithra Peries' film "Ganga Addara". He was the music director of the film.

'Nimal Mendis first heard my voice whilst listening to the "Sooriya Show" in the 1970s. Nimal told me that he had composed a song to suit my voice and wanted me to find a little girl to sing the chorus. I had no hesitation in recommending Nirasha Perera (who was only 12 years old at that time) as she and I used to sing duets at our family parties.

Victor explained the history behind the song.

Nimal composed the lyrics in English and thereafter Augustus Vinayagaratnam composed the Sinhala lyrics.

The song (with Sinhala lyrics) was recorded in 1979 at the Joe-Neth studio. The music for the recording was conducted by Sarath Fernando. The little children to sing the chorus (along with Nirasha) were taken from Sangamitta Balika Vidyalaya, Borella. Victor went down Memory Lane with the release of the film "Ganga Addara" in 1980. The song 'Ran Tikiri Sina' became an instant hit. It became very popular among children as well as the youth and adults (and continues to be so every now and then).

In 1981 to my utter surprise, two popular singers (Neela Wickremasinghe and T.M. Jayaratne) had recorded this song for commercial purposes. The copied version of this song was given much publicity by the SLBC and the Rupavahini Corporation, and thus hardly anyone knew the original singers of this popular song. I believe this is the first time that a song sung and made popular by two lesser known singers was copied by two well-known singers. Usually it happens the other way!!! Victor explained the saga behind the song.

According to the SLBC, another popular singer Nirosha Virajini had also recorded this song recently. Hence, 'Ran Tikiri Sina' must be the only song which has been copied (pirated) by several well-known singers in order to enhance their popularity whilst the original singers remain unknown.

I am extremely grateful to Hudson Samarasinghe (who was attached to the Sinhala Programmes Division of the SLBC in the 1980s) for taking the initiative to collect the Master Music Tape from the producers of the film "Ganga Addara" and cut a disc of 'Ran Tikiri Sina' at the SLBC. He is the person who kept our version (the original version) of 'Ran Tikiri Sina' alive in the SLBC in the 1980s. If not for him even the SLBC listeners would not have heard the original version of this song, Victor said.

After the deep disappointment over the hijacking of 'Ran Tikiri Sina', I did not record any song until 1993 when Mr. Tissa Abeysekera requested me to sing 'Koheda Mage Daya" for his teledrama "Pitagamkarayo". I am grateful to him for giving me this opportunity, he added.

Victor recorded eight songs for Sooriya label in 1970 and out of that 'Sunethra', 'Langama' and 'Maw Pema' were quite popular in the early seventies.

The College choir consisting of 100 young Sebastianites are being trained by the youngest old boy priest produced by the College, Rev. Fr. Prasad Niranjan Fernando.

The Army Band will be an added attraction with their instrumental accompaniment, and the draw of the raffle for the College Development Project will also take place. The Chief Celebrant on that day will be Rt. Rev. Dr. Marius Peiris, the Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo, who is also an old boy of the college.

The Rector, Rev. Fr. Bonnie Fernandopulle, together with the organising committee wishes to extend an open invitation to all the parents of College students, old boys and well wishers to join the Rev. Fathers, staff and students at the Christmas Carol Service commencing on Saturday, December14 to proclaim the Good News of Christmas in song: "Glory to Gold in the highest and peace to men of goodwill."

St. Sebastian's College is presently managed by the archdiocese of Colombo.

'Misty'rious boys of Lankan music scene
By Sanath Weerasuriya
If some one asked, what is the most popular dance band of the year, the name 'Misty' will surface without any question.

The band Misty has played more than fifty dances in and out Sri Lanka for the year 2003, making the most sought out dance band of the year. This week TV Times feature Misty, one of the popular bands in the scene, on its cover.

'I called this year as a sellout year' said the leader Ranjith Rupasinghe. Misty stepped in to the Sri Lankan music scene in 1998 as a trio. Ranjith along with his pals Marlon Mendis and Viraj were together for nearly two years, before they decided to go as a full band.

"We are together for little more than two years now . But I started my singing career in 1997 as a duo. We were performing in Male and was a popular attraction at Clancy's . We played at JAIC and also at Club Robinson for more than two years, before getting into the mainstream of music" Ranjith said.

The band will be in action at the Colombo Swimming Club for the New Year's Eve Dance.

Misty has played for more than six SriLankan Airlines events in Frankfurt, Paris, Dubai, Pakistan and in India. 'We get lot of SriLankan Air line functions abroad, such as their new destination launches and other travel trade events .' he said.

Misty was in Australia in March for thre events in Melbourne and Sydney, and in Berlin, and Paris for Lankan association gigs.

STC, DSS Weslet Bishop's Access, Royal, Charted Ball, Tea Traders Ball, are some of the major dances we had this year. Apparel Ball, Architect Ball, Shepardian Ball and HSBC Ball are some of the dances to be attend during the coming season" Ranjith explained about their future functions.

Ranjith some time goes solo for gigs " but I always give preference to the band and we work as a team' he said.

'Star Combination' at Galadari
The Popular Band "Nalin & The Star Combination" continued their successful run during in the season and they will be in action at Galadari Hotel for the New Year Eve Dance dishing out their exciting rhythm.

This foursome are a formidable force in the music scene with their solid voices and superb instrumental and backing ability.

'It is the style and selection of music we render, apart from the Dancer and Get-togethers. We mainly cater for weddings, and we always endeavour to give our best at these occasions' said Nalin, the vocalist and leader of the band, who plays guitar. Playing regularly at the Galadari Hotel since 1988 has been the highlight of our musical career over the years.

The band comprises Nalin Fernando-guitar/vocals, Shirmila Fonseka-female vocals is very talented, the daughter of late C.D. Fonseka. Ex Gypsy. Dilantha Silva on keyboard and Hirushke Fernando vocals/guitar.

Incidentally husband and wife duo, Nalin and Shirmali are hoping to release their maiden CD with their originals. The CD consists of selected songs composed by Nalin and also some of Shirmila's originals, which she sang with her father.

"Giving out the best in music" is our motto' Nalin added.

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