C. T. Fernando
C.T. Fernando | |
---|---|
Birth name | Cyril Tudor Fernando |
Born |
28 January 1921 Sri Lanka |
Died | 21 October 1977 |
Genres | Sinhala |
Years active | 1940—1977 |
Cyril Tudor Fernando (Sinhala: සිරිල් ටියුඩර් ප්රනාන්දු), known as C.T.Fernando (Sinhala: සී. ටී. ප්රනාන්දු) (January 28, 1921 – October 21, 1977), was a popular Sinhala singer in Sri Lanka. He entered music industry in the 1940s. He was praised by critics for the themes and wording of his songs like "Vana Bamaru," "Bilinda Nelwa Ukule" and "Rosa Male." His other popular songs include "Lo Ada Ninde", "Gile Male Tarawa" and "Mariya Mawu Kuse."
Biography
Early life and career
C.T. was born in Kadalana, Moratuwa and educated at St. Mary's College, Nawalpitiya. As a student C.T. showed interest in the arts participating in school dramas and singing with the local church choir.[1] C.T.Fernando often won prizes for elocution, singing and drama, including a gold medal of oratory. He was a chorister in his local parish church, and later became the choir master of A.R.P. Messenger service in Colombo between 1942 and 1965. He later joined the Grand Cabaret to entertain the troops involved in world war 2 and further developed his musical talents.[2]
In 1946, Fernando successfully auditioned for a position as grade one radio artist on Radio Ceylon. There he had his first popular song with "Pin Sindu Wanne," a plea to children to stop harming birds. The song was written by R. N. H. Perera.[1]
Commercial artist
In 1952 Fernando branched out as a commercial artist signing with HMV subsidiary Cargills Company. He recorded many of his popular songs with the label including "Pinsiduwanne", "Suwanda Rosa", "Bara Bage", "Ambilimame", "Lo Ada Ninde", "Gilimale Taruwa", "Kimada Sumihiriye", "Amba Ruk" and "Bilinda Nelawe Ukule".[1]
From 1959 to 1960, Fernando was rated the most popular singer in the country. He continued his recording career recording the LP "The Golden Voice of C.T. Fernando" with the Lewis Brown company.Popular Songs such as "Hela Jathika Abhimane","Ma Bala Kale", "Sandhawata Ran Tharu","Ane Dingak", "Piyumehi Peni bothi","Punsadha Hinehenne" a Duet with Rukmani Devi, "Sihina lowe", "Awadhiwanna" and "Mage sudhu Mame" were included in this album. The Original Music arrangements and Direction for these songs in the album were done by the Music Legend Patrick Denipitiya. Theses recordings featured lyrics by Lalith S. Maithripala, Karunaratna Abeysekara, Sarath Wimalaweera and Wimaladasa Perera.[1]
The music for some of his songs were composed by Fernando himself in addition to B.S.Perera and Patrick Denipitiya.
Fernando recorded a popular duet, "Pun Sanda Hinahenne," with Rukmani Devi. Another duet, "Selalihini Kovul Handa," was done with Lata Walpola.[1] Most of his duets were sung together with Ruckmani Devi and Lata Walpola as well as Chandra de Silva. C.T.Fernando also acted in a few Sinhala movies such as Deyiyange Rate and Gamperaliya directed by Lester James Peries. He was the first Sri Lankan Artist to tour overseas with Music Director "Patrick Denipitiya and his Combo" in 1967 performing at various venues in UK,France,Italy,Switzerland, Spain and other Europe destinations during a period of 6 months.
Track listing
- Adada Eeye Waage
- Adada Ieye
- Amathannata Heki
- Ambaruk Sevanalle
- Ambili Mame
- Anantha Gee
- Ane Dingak
- Api Avidimu Handapane (Lassana Pura Handa)
- Asaranayaa Dugee (Film: Hathara Maha Nidaanaya)
- Atha Weeriyen
- Awadiwanna Awadiwanna
- Bara Bage
- Berena Pani Bidhu
- Bilinda Naelawena
- Dawasa Gevee
- Dilindu Pale
- Etha Kandu Raeli (Film: Saengawunu Menika) (with C.D. Fonseka)
- Gatha Sitha Samakarala
- Geevana Mihire
- Hela Jathika
- Jesu Rajaaneni (with Latha Walpola)
- Kale Mala Nowe
- Kalu Mahaweli
- Kimada Sumihiriye
- Koheda Aney
- Kowulange Mihiri
- Kusaguru Muthu Wel (Film: Nim Walalla)
- Laksha Ganan (Film: Sarawita) (with ???)
- Lo Ada Ninde
- Ma Bala Kale
- Ma Hada Sihil
- Maa Oba Hamu Wuu (with Rukmani Devi)
- Maa Sukumalee
- Mage Sudu Mame
- Mal Bara Himidiriye (with Latha Walpola)
- Mal Loke Rani
- Mal Sara Pem
- Mee Amba Wanaye (Film: Pem Kurulloo)
- Mee Wadayaki (Film: Kawuda Hari)
- Nisala Rae (with Latha Walpola)
- Onchili Chili
- Paravunu Mal
- Pinsidu Wanne (with Suriya Rani)
- Piyumehi Pani Bothi
- Prayamaye Sihina
- Punsanda Hinahenne (with rukmani Devi)
- Rae Pel Rekalaa
- Rana Monarai
- Ranwan Ran Kendi
- Salalihini Kowul
- Saman Devi Pihiten (Film: Diyyanne Ratey) (with Anjaleen Gunathilake)
- Saman Kekulu
- Sandawata Rantharu
- Santhose Paedenna
- Sarungaley Sarungaley
- Seegiri Sukumali
- Seetha Raeye (with Latha Walpola)
- Selalihini Kowul (with Latha Walpola)
- Senakeliye Maa
- Sihina Lowe
- Soobanalu Kolamba (Film: Hathara Maha Nidhaanaya)
- Sundara Soobana (with rukmani Devi)
- Sunila Waralasa
- Suwanda Rosa Mal
- Vana Bambaro
- Wessak Enawaa (with Pushparani Ariyaratne)
Death and legend
C.T.Fernando died On October 17, 1977 following a heart attack at the age of 56. His son Priyantha Fernando continues to perform C.T 's songs in his memory
External links
References