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
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1956–1994
Labels
  • Singlanka
  • Tharanga

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]

Personal life

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

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

YearFilmRolesRef.
1964Sasaraka HatiPlayback Singer
1965Yata Giya Dawasa
1965Hathara Maha NidhanayaPavement Opportunist
1967Iwasana DanaaPlayback Singer
1967Rena GirawPlayback Singer
1969Oba Nathinam
1969Mee MassoPlayback Singer
1970Dan MathakadaPlayback Singer, Lyricist, Singer
1970Athma PoojaPlayback Singer
1970GeethaPlayback Singer
1970ThevethaPlayback Singer
1970Penawa NedaPlayback Singer
1971PoojithayoPlayback Singer
1971Hathara Denama SurayoPlayback Singer, Lyricist, Robert
1971Samanala KumariyoPlayback Singer
1972Adare Hithenawa DakkamaPlayback Singer, M. S.
1972Edath Suraya Adath SurayaPlayback Singer
1972SujeewaPlayback Singer
1972Singapore CharliePlayback Singer
1972Hithaka Pipunu MalPlayback Singer
1973Sadahatama Oba MagePlayback Singer
1973Hathdinnath TharuPlayback Singer, Himself
1973Hondama WelawaPlayback Singer
1973Sinawai InawaiPlayback Singer
1974Kasthuri SuwandaPlayback Singer
1974SurekhaPlayback Singer
1974SuseePlayback Singer, Beach singer
1974SagarikaPlayback Singer
1974LasandaPlayback Singer
1974VasthuwaPlayback Singer
1975Raththaran AmmaPlayback Singer
1975Awa soya AdarePlayback Singer
1975Kohoma KiyannadaPlayback Singer
1975Amaraneeya AdarePlayback Singer
1975Lassana KellaPlayback Singer
1975GijulihiniyoPlayback Singer
1975DamayanthiPlayback Singer
1975SikuruliyaPlayback Singer
1975Hadawathaka WasanthayaPlayback Singer
1975SangeethaPlayback Singer
1976NayanaaPlayback Singer
1976Harima Badu ThunakPlayback Singer
1976Saradielge PuthaPlayback Singer
1976NedeyoPlayback Singer
1976Ran ThilakaPlayback Singer, Singer
1977Chin Chin NonaPlayback Singer
1977Chandi PuthaPlayback Singer
1977Maruwa Samaga WasePlayback Singer
1977YakadayaPlayback Singer
1978SaraaPlayback Singer
1978Kundala KeshiPlayback Singer, Migara
1978SasaraPlayback Singer
1979SarungalePlayback Singer
1979Muwan PalessaPlayback Singer
1979Hari PudumaiPlayback Singer
1980Tak Tik TukPlayback Singer
1980SeethaPlayback Singer
1980Doctor SusanthaaPlayback Singer
1980Sasaraka PathumPlayback Singer
1980Raja DawasakPlayback Singer
1982Sakvithi SuwayaPlayback Singer
1983Sasara Wasana ThuruPlayback Singer
1983Loku ThaththaPlayback Singer
1988Chandingeth ChandiyaPlayback Singer
1990Pem RajadahanaPlayback Singer
1990Honda Honda SellamPlayback Singer
1992Ranabime VeerayaPlayback Singer
1993Sergeant NallathambiPlayback Singer
2007Hai MasterPlayback Singer

References

  1. "M.S. Fernando එම්. එස්. ප්‍රනාන්දු (1931 - 1994)". Digital Identity of Sinhala Cinema. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  2. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 3 "18th Commemoration Day of MS Fernando". Divaina. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  6. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 "Exploring the music of MS Fernando". Dinamina. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
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