Nanda Pathirana - Article by Prabath Rajasooriya

The first and last EP record of NANDA PATHIRANA – DARSHANA LABEL – 1978

This was an era in which unprecedented reforms of all sectors of Sri Lankan average man’s life came into existence. A new government was born and the capital City of Sri Lanka, Colombo started to get new face-lift under the guidance of then newly elected Prime minister, R. Premadasa.

Once dilapidated neglected area  along the present Olcotte Mawatha at Fort next to Railway Station was being converted into a open market that had been flooded by all kind of imported garments, ornaments and other wares became overnight haven for the people who are not only  living around Colombo but also  in other distant areas. This is still being identified by the name “WORLD MARKET” after two generations.


A businessman named Dharmadasa Galabadage, a music lover too served there. He always keen to have regular chat with the artists of then music industry of Sri Lanka who used to peep in and go around the WORLD MARKET.

Mr. Stanley Peiris was the imminent Saxophonist, Music director, composer, the leader of then famous musical band THE FORTUNES joined with our music lover, Mr. Dharmadasa to give birth to a music album by the name of his wife, Nanda Pathirana  who earned a name as a famous singer of then SLBC.

It was the day that their plan became a reality when they  met at the Bishop House Recording Studio at Colombo after formal arrangements for the practice session of the maiden Song Album of NANDA PATHIRANA. “DARSHANA” was the name of the Album, a name of her baby son.

  In that era, Vinyl Extended play Record can hold altogether four song items, two of each side. And the party started to perform while Recording Engineer DONALD IVAN manning his equipment for the job.

The music band, FORTUNES was in action doing their part. Lead guitarist Mahinda Bandara Rhythm Guitar player Milton Peiris, brother of Stanley and the invited flutist Hemapala Perera,  a blind maestro did his job perfectly letting to  echo his mesmerizing  deep soothing flute parts.

LANDA DIGE HANGI HORA SANDA KALAYE …………..

KANDU SINA AYIDA MESE MAKEELA GIYE …………………….

oh ! What a beautiful melody dear sister …..! A mellifluous voice was heard behind the visitors’ lounge of the studio.

Who she was???  Surprisingly indeed, who would believe it?

 A giant and the icon of Sinhala Music and Film theatre, an all time best lady singer and actress RUKMANU DEVI heard to raise her voice up. It is ……

Nanda Pathirana was so lucky to have such a admiration from a musical icon like her.

The album later became an instant hit of even that golden era of Sinhala Music in late 70s despite regular flooded releases of the ALBUMS of other leading singers.

But RUKMANI DEVI already bid farewell to the music fans of Sri Lanka happened to meet a tragic untimely death of an ever fatal accident which shocked not only her fans but rest of the Lankans during the month of October 1978.

There had been four numbers as follows:

01 Landa Dige (along the footpath edge of the paddy field)

02 Ma Amathanna Epaa ( never to call me)

03 Me Vedana  ( This pain of the mind) –a Duet


Lyrics by  Kularatne Ariyawansa  - A famous lyricist of 70s to the music of late maestro, music composer, Saxophonist  Stanley Peiris.  Co -Singer : T.M. Jayaratne

By
PRABATH  RAJASOORIYA