Super Golden Chimes’ Farewell Concert, Sinhala Pop Songs Galore...

“Aadhara Mal Pipoona”(“Love flowers bloomed”) sang Annesley Malawana, leader of “The Super Golden Chimes” on Friday, 10th April 2015 at the auditorium of the BMICH. It was the band’s Farewell Concert and fans down the ages had come to enjoy the show. Annesley recalled that they sang the songs composed and set to music by the late Clarence Wijewardena.

Annesley said that the band came together 45 years ago and spoke of their team spirit even though they changed from being “The Moonstones” and “The Golden Chimes” to “The Super Golden Chimes”.

Compere Vijaya Corea thanked “DK Promotions” and Damayantha Kuruppu for organizing the concert. Annesley introduced the members of the band and said that lead guitarist Dixon Gunaratne was the “Kapuwa” or Marriage Organiser who brought the “Super Golden Chimes” together.

It was a dance band and they sang “Sweet Caroline” as their first English song, “Touching me, touching you...”.

Annesley then sang the “Moonstones” number “Rosemalay natuway katu” (There are thorns on the rose) and he invited the audience to sing along “Mame lamayo pani ooremee”(I drink the honey, children).

Then came the ever popular “Vana Bambaroo” or “Jungle Bees”.

Rukshan Perera now singing solo was also a member of “The Super Golden Chimes” and he had left in 1977 to go abroad. He had composed a song and dedicated it to all those who had left Sri Lanka and returned and it was titled “Coming Home” referring to the mother country Sri Lanka.  He said “It’s time to reconcile and see our children smile”. In 2004, Clarence died and Rukshan sang a tribute song. Rukshan also introduced a Santana hit, skillfully accompanied by drummer Nimal Corera from Zurich.

The band then sang acapella (without accompanying instruments) using Clarence’s songs like “Kimada naaway”(Why didn’t you come?), “Gamen Liyumak”(A letter from the village) “Udarata Niliya”(Upcountry lass) and ended with “Kamak Na”(Never mind). Annesley then sprung a surprise when he gifted a plaque to Dixon Gunaratne.

Kulasiri Udawatte’s graceful and colourful dance troupe danced on stage while Annesley sang “Udarata Niliya Hada Vagay” followed by “Sandakiridooni” dedicated to God Skanda of Kataragama. Annesley went down memory lane as he introduced his brother Sunil who also sang with the band and he shared some anecdotes from the family album.

Comments from the audience

Loretta Gunewardena

“We really came because of Rukshan as he helped us with our organisation SUROL(Society for the Upliftment and Rehabilitation of those afflicted with Leprosy).”

Janaka Weerakoon

“The show was excellent. It brought back old memories.”

Mohan de Silva

“The concert was fantastic. I’ve come for all the Super Golden Chimes’ shows from small days. Rukshan too is talented and his contribution should be highlighted.”

Himali Kelaniyage

“It was a really nice show. We enjoyed it thoroughly.”

Aro De Mel

“It was a fantastic show. We’ve been looking forward to coming for the show and it shouldn’t be their last.”

Buvaneeka Peiris

“The concert was very good and we had a great time.”

Thusitha De Alwis

“I never miss Damayantha’s shows and this was one of the best of the seventies’ era”.

Sonali Perera

“It was wonderful. I was really happy to see the Super Golden Chimes together again.”

Charika Jayasekera

“We used to listen to Clarence’s songs so it is really good to hear Sinhala pop music again.”

Harsha Jayasinghe

“It was excellent. A very important reunion of old veterans and we must thank Damayantha of DK Promotions for organising it.”

Reviewed by By Sirohmi Gunesekera
Photographs by Waruna Wanniaarachchi