Tribute
to Multicultural Baila Legend A E
Manoharan
A.E. Manoharan, the singing legend, well known in Sri Lanka and India, passed away
on 22 January 2018. Surangani Baila song
is his signature piece and has made him a legend in India and Sri Lanka. Born a
Tamil, Manoharan comfortably sang his Baila Melody in Sinhalese, English,
Hindi, Telugu & Malayalam.
To my mind, Manoharan touched the heart
of the Common audience and contributed
strongly to Peace and Harmony in Sri Lanka through his singing.
As I listened to some of his music – at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqbryLUjK1c
I recalled my Colombo days –
especially when we at M/s Satchithananda
Schokman, Wijeratne & CO, Chartered Accountants. (Currently
Price Waterhouse Coopers)
went on picnics – singing many of the
songs that Manoharan sang. No one was concerned whether the songs were in
Sinhalese, Tamil or English. We were truly a multicultural group and I believe
that those feelings we developed as a professional group – would continue to
enrich all those who seek independence through multiculturalism.
At the concert in 2015 – at BMICH
– Manoharan sang for Christians and Hindus; in
English, Tamil and Sinhalese as well as in a few Indian languages. The
young ladies performing the Kandyan type of Dance to Manoharan’s praise of
Murugan – confirm that religions have no language borders. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgCu7JDnqwg&list=RDHqbryLUjK1c&index=27
Thank you Manoharan for being Common and
rendering multicultural forms to your voice.
With Lord Muruga’s blessings we will work further to make Sri Lanka more
wholesome for you to come back to.
Gajalakshmi Paramasivam
24 January 2018
No comments:
Post a Comment