Sunilayaamaya on Saturday

A landmark solo musical concert of Visharada Sunil Edirisinghe titled ‘Sunilayaamaya’ will be held at the BMICH on August 3 at 6.30 pm, to mark the 50th year of the award-winning singer’s musical career.Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe will direct the music while Saman Athaudahetti will anchor the show which will also have Sunil Edirisinghe’s son Sanka and daughter Sankani joining their father on stage.

“The theme of this show is different. I am also glad that Rohana Weerasinghe who has composed most of my popular songs, is directing music for this milestone concert. My son and daughter are also joining me on stage. After all, they will be taking the baton from me. Saman Athaudahetti who presented many of my light songs on SLBC will be the compere of this show. Pushkara Wanniarachchi has written the script,” said Sunil Edirisinghe expressing his gratitude to the young organizing team comprising Gayan, Rukshan Perera and others.

“I am really contended about my 50-year journey in music. I feel so fortunate to have been born to parents and family that appreciated music and the arts. My elder brother Sathischandra Edirisinghe gave me the vital break as a playback singer. Then I was blessed in life with affectionate friends like Rohana Weerasinghe, Lakshman Wijesekara, Kularatne Ariyawansa, Ananda Weerasiri, Kumaradasa Saputhanthri, Bandara Eheliyagoda, Wasantha Kumara Kobawaka, Sunil Ariyaratne and others. Sisira Wijetunga has taken my photographs and designed all my CD covers. I am satisfied with my  tuneful journey,” he told Daily Mirror Life Impulse.

Patikirige Sunil Jayapreethi Edirisinghe was born on December 1, 1949 in Kelaniya, Nungamugoda as the youngest son among seven siblings.

Kelaniya Dharmaloka Vidyalaya old boy Sunil Edirisinghe, later joined the Delgoda Kalyana Pradeepa Pirivena for higher studies. As a schoolboy Sunil won several inter school singing competitions too.

In 1967, he participated in the Maliban Guwan Thotilla amateur singing competition and won the third place from among thousands, singing Pandit Amaradeva’s ‘Tholin Tholata’.
Dance guru Wasantha Kumara identified the artistic talents in Sunil and offered the role of Pothe Gura in his play ‘Ramayanaya’ in 1969, opening a new chapter as a stage actor.
The biggest turning point in his life came when he sang his debut film song ‘Sandakada Pahanaka Ketayam Opala’ in 1970 in his elder brother Sathischandra Edirisinghe’s movie ‘Matara Achchi’. The song was musically composed by Dr. Victor Rathnayake and penned by Wally Nanayakkara. The fim was released on January 11, 1973.

Having obtained first class honours at the Bhathkande Music exam in India, Sunil consolidated his place as a playback singer with songs like ‘Kuda Game Maddahane’ (Hulawali), Hise Gini Ewilethe (Sri Madara) and others.

After qualifying as a Visharad in Music, he sang for his first EP comprising songs like ‘Chandra Madala’ and ‘Paata Dedunu’ penned by Kumaradasa Saputhanthri, ‘Thani Kale’ penned by Kularatne Ariyawansa and ‘Kawurunda Oba Mage’ penned by Saman Athaudahetti. Rohana Weerasinghe composed music for all these songs.

Having being ranked as a super grade SLBC singer, Sunil thereafter made an indelible mark in the local music industry, singing for several labels, films and also participating in musical concerts here and abroad.

In 1979, the award-winning singer married Nandani Munasinghe and they were blessed with a son - Sanka and daughter - Sankani.

text: Ramesh Uvais

Contact 0719797241 and 0773833232. Tickets also available at Sadeepa Bookshop, Yamaha Music Centre, Surrounds Negombo and
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