Gypsies back in the saddle with ‘Gaalu Paare’
View(s):By Sanath Weerasuriya
The song ‘Gaalu Paare’, Gypsies’ very first animated video, was to release in December 2021, but with the demise of their leader Sunil, the launch of the song was shelved for more than one and half years. Gypsies, now led by Piyal Perera, finally released the band’s very first song ‘Gaalu Paare’, after the demise of their leader Sunil Perera.
‘The Gypsies’, one of the popular and most successful musical outfits in the Sri Lankan music history, ‘Back in the saddle’ again with their brand new Sinhala song ‘Gaalu Paare’ under the new leadership of Piyal Perera. ‘This is the last song sung by Sunil Aiya and he was keen to release this song during the December Festive season of 2021, but again it didn’t materialise. We were planning to release the song in April this year but unfortunately it didn’t materialise. Finally ‘Gaalu Paare’ is out now and already climbing the Sri Lankan charts’ said Piyal.
‘The new video of ‘Gaalu Paare’ feature all animated characters of the members of the Gypsies including Sunil Aiya’ Piyal explained about their new venture.
‘Gaalu Paare’ was penned by Chandradasa Fernando and the music direction was done by Dushan Jayathileke. The animate video was created by Randy Chriz. This song is in line with his usually catchy baila beat and it will be the very first animated song created by Gypsies, probably the first locally produced animated song in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile the new Sinhala song created by Piyal ‘Sunil Aiya Yanna Giye Eyi?’ released in June was a mega hit on the web and the radio airwaves.
The band was planning to host a mega concert in 2021 to celebrate their fiftieth year in the music scene. Due to pandemic situation in the country the ‘Golden Jubilee Concert’ was postponed and later it was shelved with the untimely death of Sunil.
‘Probably this ‘Anniversary Concert’ will come alive mid next year, if everything falls in to proper place’ said Piyal.
Gypsies led by veteran singer/ musician Sunil Perera, instigated their experimental musical outfit in 1970 under the guidance of his father Anton Perera. Sunil, Nihal, Nimal, Lal, Kanthi, Neville and Noel were the very first line-up for the band and subsequently changed it to ‘five brothers’ boy band’ in 1971.
Sunil, Nihal, Nimal, Lal and Piyal came under popular Gypsies tagline in 71 and since then it was a non-stop march for them with hits after hits for the next fifty years.
‘Gypsies’ is the only band in Sri Lanka to continue non-stop music with major chart toppers for fifty years. Perhaps they may be the only band in the world to enjoy that privilege with huge following of a fan base.
‘New look Gypsies’ now led by brother Piyal and is back in the saddle again with many dances, weddings, gigs and other events. ‘It is really good to see the music industry is getting back to its usual rhythm.
The band is now on the move with many new ventures. Hope everything will settle by the end of this year’ added Piyal.
The present line-up comprises Piyal Perera (leader/vocals), Kamal Perera (guitar), Lal Witiwala (drums), Dushan Jayathileke (keyboards/ vocals), Ranga Perera (bass), Nalin Samath (guitar) and Monique Pallagama on vocals.
Call Piyal on 0776633996 or send email to
gypasiesbookings@gmail.com
for any query.
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