Songs have had a major influence on our lives for generations. Be it the lullabies or the romantic ones, songs have always brought us solace and peace.

For most of the people who sing, they have not had music teachers to train their voices but home-grown music are running in their veins.

In a bid to take forward the songs that have been gifted to us from generation to generation, popular dramatist and singer Sahan Ranwala recently initiated a programme titled ‘Gayamu’ at the BMICH Kamatha, where people from any walk of life could participate and sing those evergreen songs together .

 

“I launched this programme with a view to espousing the cause of peace and harmony in society through soothing songs. We are in the habit of blaming radio stations and the electronic for not playing evergreen songs of the past which remain in our memories forever. But instead of doing that we are planning to get together every last Saturday of the month at the BMICH Kamatha and sing memorbale songs of the past that are not being heard on radio now. There is no age limit. Anyone can take part and sing together with us. Everyone who comes will be given a booklet comprising the songs and mind you everything is free of charge. I am thankful to BMICH Director General Bandula Ekanayake for facilitating this event on the last Saturday of every month from 5 pm to 7.30 pm The next programme is on November 24,” said Sahan.

 

 

He said that a brief introduction about the song would also shared with the auidence. The first programme had veteran jounalist and author Nuwan Nayanajith Kumara who did the honours. The programme will also be spiced with folk dance items.

“We are also planning to focus on memorable songs of the 90s in December, to highlight the fact that there were good songs even after the 70s golden era,” said Sahan.

 

By Ramesh Uavis

 

Pix by Kithsiri de Mel