Vinoda Gamana - La Ceylonians

Back in the 1960s when Noel Brian Ranasinghe and his band emerged on to the music scene of then Ceylon wearing their trade mark uniform, sarongs and straw hats, they were called all sorts of names like Rasthiyaadu Kaarayo, Maalu Kaarayo etc. Today they are one of the handful of bands who has survived for decades who are still going strong after 50 years. Noel created the Sri Lankan Calypso, with a local flavour. He was influenced heavily by the Latin American band Trio Los Paraguayos, who used harp for their compositions. Novel used Banjos and Acoustic Guitars for his band.

Whilst in the school back in 1958, Noel formed his first band The Flames with his friend Anton Ratnayake. They sang country and western songs. Later in the 60s band shifted their repertoire for Sinhala only songs and started La Ceylonians with six members. Ceylonese Calypso became the de facto music style of the hotels and became very popular among tourists. Then British General Manager of Mount Lavinia Hotel in the 1960 hired the band and they became the first band to entertain from table to table in Sri Lanka at hotels. Band was very much in demand at overseas functions organized by the Ceylon Tourist Board and travelled to the US, India, Germany, the Netherlands Austria, Switzerland, Taiwan and Japan.

They had a number of hits including Tharuna Jeevithe influenced by Cliff Richards The Young Ones. Vinoda Gamana is one of La Ceylonianss popular original songs.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• La
• Ceylonians
• Group
• Songs
• Vinoda
• Gamana
• Sinhala
• Sri
• Lanka
• Radio
• Ceylon
• Kandaayam
• Gee
• goonewj
• Ruwanmali
• Noel
• Ranasinghe
• Tharuna
• Jeevithe

[PIAYAPATHSALA]

Thankx u my Friend , La ceyloniance .. Milton Mallawarachi group 1969.

very nice

[goonewj]

@PIAYAPATHSALA

Thanks a lot!!

[guitarmanaruna]

Those who appear at 0:15- (left to right - Anura Jayasinghe, Rohan Ruwanwella & Noel Ranasinghe) performing at The World Popular Song Festival (Japan) -1976. A member of the earlier La Ceylonians lineup later became a star in the Sinhala music scene, under the name of Milton Mallawaarachchi.

Thanks Jude for sharing this song.

[goonewj]

@guitarmanaruna

Thank you Aruna for the very informative comment. Didn't realize that your dad played for La Ceylonians. I knew that Milton came from a Group, but didn't know it was La Ceylonians. Thanks for the information!!

[malithyapa]

does anyone have or know a song called 'wana mala' which i think is by them?