Amathannata Haki Basak - C.T. Fernando

Cyril Tudor Fernando, popular as C T Fernando was born on the 28th January 1921 at Kadalana, Moratuwa. A product of St. Mary's College Nawalapitiya, who often won prices 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 to 1965. He later joined the Grand Cabaret to entertain the troops and further developed his musical talents. In 1946 after a successful audition, he was accepted as a singer in the Radio Ceylon. During the latter part of the 1946, he recorded 'Pinsiduwanne' which became a popular hit. He released his first Gramophone record under HMV label produced by Cargills Limited who were the HMV agents in Ceylon. Most of his songs were created by himself.

CT visited London in 1969 and was interviewed on the BBC World Service programs 'Sandeshaya' and 'Good Morning Africa'. CT was the first Ceylonese singer to sing abroad, and the first Ceylonese to sing at the Commonwealth Institute in Kensington, London which was enjoyed by both Ceylonese and British fans.

The first picture was taken at the BBC's Bush House studios in Shepherd's Bush London on the 09th August 1969 during a recording session. On the left, seated is Prof. Sunanda Mahendra, who was a founder member of the BBC Radio Program 'Sandeshaya'. Professor Mahendra wrote lyrics of this song. At the middle, standing with the guitar is the meastro Patrick Denipitiya who wrote and provided music for most of CT's songs.

On October the 17th 1977 CT passed away from a heart attack, leaving a vaccum in popular music in Sri Lanka. Although he is no more with us, his golden voice still lingers among his fans.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• CT
• Fernando
• Sri
• Lanka
• Sinhala
• Radio
• Ceylon
• Cargills
• HMV
• Moratuwa
• Kadalana
• Amathannata
• Haki
• Basak
• Sunanda
• Mahendra
• Patrick
• Denipitiya
• BBC
• Sandeshaya
• goonewj
• DR196903

[bjunitedstates]

CT Fernando Was working at Official Languages Department.My Father was K.S.Seneviratne who was in the same department.I remember in 1967 when my dad take me to his office I use to call CT Uncle from my Dad's phone and ask him to sing a song.

[goonewj]

@bjunitedstates

Thanks. In the 70s he worked as the manager of Silvertone!!

[kapilaranawake]

Nice song Jude. (By the way C.T.F. is from Nawalapitiya...most think he is from Moratuwa.) Who are the other folks in the studio?? one is Patrick denipitiya........ the other is either Sunanda Mahendra or Karunarathne Abeysekera

[goonewj]

@kapilaranawake

Sorry for the long delay Kapila.Yes the other person is Prof. Sunanda Mahendra who worked for BBC at the time.

Thanks. Jude

[indunilw]

Thanks for posting. Please post more originals if you have..

[goonewj]

Thanks.

[MrAnucam]

Very , very goood :

[goonewj]

Thanks for the comment !!

[rnm78]

Nice songs from C T Fernando's time