M. S. Fernando

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Mahagamage Samson Fernando, (Sinhala: එම්. එස්. ප්‍රනාන්දු; 4 March 1936 - 9 April 1994), popularly as M. S. Fernando, was a Sri Lankan singer and musician.[1] He is a major player in the development of Baila music and was widely popular among Sri Lankan audiences commonly referred to as the "Baila Chakkrawarthi" (Baila emperor).[2][3]

M. S. Fernando
එම්. එස්. ප්‍රනාන්දු
Born
Mahagamage Samson Fernando

(1936-03-04)March 4, 1936
Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Died9 April 1994(1994-04-09) (aged 58)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationSt. Anthony's College, Wattala
Christ Church College, Dehiwela
Occupations
SpouseTulin Fernando
Children7
Parents
  • Laron Fernando (father)
  • Lilee Gomes (mother)
RelativesWalter Fernando (brother)
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active1956–1994
Labels
  • Singlanka
  • Tharanga

Personal life

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Fernando was born on 4 March 1936 in Moratuwa to Laron Fernando and Lilee Gomes as the eldest child of the family.[4] He attended St. Anthony's College, Wattala and Christ Church College, Dehiwela.[5] He had three younger sisters and one younger brother.

Fernando was married to Tulin Fernando and has 7 Children: Susil, Telina, Shantha, Sarath, Sujitha, Sujeewa and Sunimal. Fernando also has 17 Grandchildren.

Career

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Fernando studied under veteran musician J. A. Sathiadasan. He debuted as a singer with the duet, "Malak Kada Konde Gasala," done with Pushparani Ariyaratne.[5] It was written by Karunaratne Abeysekera.[6] [2] The song became popular and allowed Fernando to become a playback singer.[7] His first song in the field, "Sili Siliye Nava Suvandak," for the 1964 film Sasaraka Hati, sang with was also a success.[8] Fernando would eventually lend his voice to over 150 films. He also pursued an acting career appearing in over 25 films and several teledramas, most notably Udagira.[6] He made duets with Angeline Gunathilake in several films such as: Geetha, Hathara Denama Surayo, Edath Adath Suraya, Sujeewa, Ava Soya Adare and Sergeant Nallathambi.[9]

Fernando received many accolades in his long career including the Golden Lotus Award presented by Sri Lankan President William Gopallawa in 1973 and over 159 silver trophies in various Baila contests he entered. He was able to sing in five languages and incorporated dancing into his act. Fernando performed in England, France, Australia, Canada, Singapore and Middle East to Sri Lankan audiences.[6]

After 23 days of treatment at the hospital, he later made playback in the film Maruwa Samaga Vase directed by Titus Thotawatte and film Sasara by K.A.W. Perera.[2] Meanwhile, he has acted in more than 25 films especially with supportive roles. In 1972, he sang the song "Punchi Panchi Kale" for the film Hithaka Pipunu Mal, which shows another level of his singing ability. In 1974, he sang the popular song "Rosa Kekula Rosa" along with H. R. Jothipala for the film Lasanda. In 1975, Fernando made the song "Dili Dili Dilisena Eliyak" for the film Sikuru Liya under the music by Clarence Wijewardena. For the film Nedeyo in 1976, he made vocals with Latha Walpola for the song "A Rankanda Pemkanda", composed by George Leslie.[10]

The Sinhala Baila song Pissu Vikare (Dagena Polkatu Male) by H. R. Jothipala, Milton Perera, M. S. Fernando is a cover version of the Tamil song Dingiri Dingale (Meenachi) from the 1958 Tamil film Anbu Engey. And it was covered again in Sinhala as a folk song named Digisi/Digiri Digare (Kussiye Badu).

In solo singing, the majority of the songs sung by Fernando showcased his experience drawn from rural or urban life or the news of life, including the popular song Mama Taxikaraya.[10] In the morning of his date of death, he attended a musical concert in the Jawatte, Colombo.[5]

Filmography

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Year Film Roles Ref.
1964 Sasaraka Hati Playback Singer
1965 Yata Giya Dawasa
1965 Hathara Maha Nidhanaya Pavement Opportunist
1967 Iwasana Danaa Playback Singer
1967 Rena Giraw Playback Singer
1969 Oba Nathinam
1969 Mee Masso Playback Singer
1970 Dan Mathakada Playback Singer, Lyricist, Singer
1970 Athma Pooja Playback Singer
1970 Geetha Playback Singer
1970 Thevetha Playback Singer
1970 Penawa Neda Playback Singer
1971 Poojithayo Playback Singer
1971 Hathara Denama Surayo Playback Singer, Lyricist, Robert
1971 Samanala Kumariyo Playback Singer
1972 Adare Hithenawa Dakkama Playback Singer, M. S.
1972 Edath Suraya Adath Suraya Playback Singer
1972 Sujeewa Playback Singer
1972 Singapore Charlie Playback Singer
1972 Hithaka Pipunu Mal Playback Singer
1973 Sadahatama Oba Mage Playback Singer
1973 Hathdinnath Tharu Playback Singer, Himself
1973 Hondama Welawa Playback Singer
1973 Sinawai Inawai Playback Singer
1974 Kasthuri Suwanda Playback Singer
1974 Surekha Playback Singer
1974 Susee Playback Singer, Beach singer
1974 Sagarika Playback Singer
1974 Lasanda Playback Singer
1974 Vasthuwa Playback Singer
1975 Raththaran Amma Playback Singer
1975 Awa soya Adare Playback Singer
1975 Kohoma Kiyannada Playback Singer
1975 Amaraneeya Adare Playback Singer
1975 Lassana Kella Playback Singer
1975 Gijulihiniyo Playback Singer
1975 Damayanthi Playback Singer
1975 Sikuruliya Playback Singer
1975 Hadawathaka Wasanthaya Playback Singer
1975 Sangeetha Playback Singer
1976 Nayanaa Playback Singer
1976 Harima Badu Thunak Playback Singer
1976 Saradielge Putha Playback Singer
1976 Nedeyo Playback Singer
1976 Ran Thilaka Playback Singer, Singer
1977 Chin Chin Nona Playback Singer
1977 Chandi Putha Playback Singer
1977 Maruwa Samaga Wase Playback Singer
1977 Yakadaya Playback Singer
1978 Saraa Playback Singer
1978 Kundala Keshi Playback Singer, Migara
1978 Sasara Playback Singer
1979 Sarungale Playback Singer
1979 Muwan Palessa Playback Singer
1979 Hari Pudumai Playback Singer
1980 Tak Tik Tuk Playback Singer
1980 Seetha Playback Singer
1980 Doctor Susanthaa Playback Singer
1980 Sasaraka Pathum Playback Singer
1980 Raja Dawasak Playback Singer
1982 Sakvithi Suwaya Playback Singer
1983 Sasara Wasana Thuru Playback Singer
1983 Loku Thaththa Playback Singer
1988 Chandingeth Chandiya Playback Singer
1990 Pem Rajadahana Playback Singer
1990 Honda Honda Sellam Playback Singer
1992 Ranabime Veeraya Playback Singer
1993 Sergeant Nallathambi Playback Singer
2007 Hai Master Playback Singer

References

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  1. ^ "M.S. Fernando එම්. එස්. ප්‍රනාන්දු (1931 - 1994)". Digital Identity of Sinhala Cinema. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  2. ^ a b c "MS's broken promises". Lankadeepa. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  3. ^ "8 immortal baila singers in Sri Lanka". yamu. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  4. ^ "I learned bongo from a sugarball bottle: Walter". Deshaya. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  5. ^ a b c "18th Commemoration Day of MS Fernando". Divaina. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  6. ^ a b c "Remembering M.S." Sunday Observer, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 2004-05-30. Archived from the original on 2006-02-22. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
  7. ^ "MS who sang at home". Deshaya. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  8. ^ "M S Fernando and the sound of baila". Daily News. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  9. ^ "M.S-Angeline duet songs who brought laughter to the silver screen". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  10. ^ a b "Exploring the music of MS Fernando". Dinamina. Retrieved 2021-04-12.