Annesley-40 years in music:

Musical "Moonstone" Malawana

by Prasad Gunewardene

In 1966, a young Josephian from Colombo came on holiday to his home at Weralupe, Batugedera in Ratnapura. This teenager was Annesley Aloysius Lukshkman Malawana. At that time, a promising musician was searching for a lead vocalist to form a Sinhala pop band.

That musician was the late Clarence Wijewardene. Clarence's friend, Premasinghe Marambe was entrusted the task of searching for a lead vocalist. Marambe took Annesley on his old push bicycle to Clarence. Annesley was put to audition by Clarence. Annesley succeeded.

That was the birth of the first Sinhala pop music group, the ever popular "Moonstones". Annesley's lilting voice moved many a fan of the "Moonstones" as the lead vocalist. This enterprising young singer started with the popular hit "Mango Nanda", a song composed by Clarence to annoy the domestic aide of his girl friend (later wife) Sheela. The aide was affectionately called "Mango Nanda" at Sheela's home.

This popular man, Annesley Malawana will be felicitated on November 18 at the BMICH on his 40 year contribution to the Sinhala pop music scene. The members of the original "Moonstones" - "Super Golden Chimes" and his new group - "Annesley and the Super Chimes" will be on stage bringing back the golden days of his music career.

At this event, sponsored by Suntel Ltd, Annesley will pay a glowing tribute to the late Clarence Wijewardene, Sri Sanghabo Corea, late Vernon Corea and Vijaya Corea.Marambe introduced Annesley, Clarence inspired him and the Coreas' gave him the opportunity.

There was a man who unearthed the talent of Clarence and Annesley. He was Sri Sanghabo Corea. While Sanghabo saw the composing talents in Clarence, he diagnosed that Annesley was gifted with a lifetime sharp vocal chord. Sanghabo's diagnosis proved correct and fans will admit that Annesley's voice remains the same over the past forty years.

The emergence of Annesley into the music scene could be described as a 'find' of a gem from the city of Ratnapura discovered by Clarence Wijewardene. In no time, this young man was known as the "Prince of Sinhala Pop".

Annesley's entry to the "Moonstones" was a blessing in disguise to Clarence who was keen to promote himself in music. The lilting voice of Annesley was the source of strength to Clarence all the way. Clarence himself knew that Annesley was gifted with an unparalleled musical voice that matched the music composed by him. Annesley was never a selfish man.

Clarence first offered him to sing "Dilhani". Annesley told Clarence that the melody suited a female voice and introduced Indrani Perera to the fold in 1968. Indrani became popular singing the overnight hit of that day "Dilhani" composed for Sanghabo's daughter by Clarence.

Not only that, even the popular hit "Kimada Naave" composed by Clarence over his romance with Sheela was first sung by Annesley on stage though later recorded by Priyanthi Senaratne. Today, the legacy of that song is carried over by Lankika Perera of the "Golden Chimes". All that proved the heavy dependence of Clarence on Annesley.

The "Moonstones" in its five year spread devoted ninety nine per cent of the songs to Annesley. Clarence sang only one. That was "Dileepa Podi Puthu". Here again, Annesley insisted that the song suited Clarence and he (Clarence) must record that song.

Annesley has a large heart and that was his success. He always cared for and shared with all his colleagues be it music or otherwise. When Clarence left the "Moonstones" to form the "Golden Chimes", Annesley continued with the "Moonstones" as the leader with Mike Gunesekere composing the popular hit" Dunhinda Manamali" for Annesley. But this breakaway was for a short time.

Both the "Moonstones" and the "Golden Chimes", before the audience looked sans the bride or the Groom. This was felt by both Annesley and Clarence.

Clarence and Annesley were the inseperable duo in Sri Lanka's pop music era at that time. They came together in 1974 to form the "Super Golden Chimes". If you press a digit in your memory lane, you would recall the scintillating hits "Vana Bambaro" - "Udarata Niliya" by Annesley and "Kataragama" - "Gamen Liyumak" by Clarence, the ever green hits of Super Golden Chimes.

Annesley with Clarence revolutionised the Sinhala pop scene with this band and Super Golden Chimes became the first Sinhala dance band of that day. In 1976, Annesley decided to quit the group to seek employment as well as marry his sweet heart, Swarnamali Keeragala, a Kandyan beauty then employed at Air Lanka, the national carrier. Clarence too decided to go solo.

Later in 1989, Clarence forced upon Annesley to return to music to produce a cassette with the all time hit "Rosa Male". Bringing back memories of the Moonstones to Super Golden Chimes, Annesley, Clarence and Indrani came on stage in the popular concert - "Twenty year Explosion". The return of Annesley to music, made him the man much sought after for all musical shows.

But this man thought of his colleagues. There were many popular Sinhala pop groups in the 1960s and 70s. By the 1980s they were never heard of and their whereabouts were not known to the fans.

Many names seemed erased off the scene. Annesley traced most of them to stage the popular "Stars of the Seventies". If not for Annesley, those who claim to be pioneers in Calypso style would never have made a come back on stage. Annesley also brought back the nostalgic memories of the Super Golden Chimes when he got the original members back on stage after 25 years in 2003 and 2004 which were crowd pullers. Annesley now leads his new band, the "Super Chimes".

On November 18, Annesley will be flanked by the original members of his musical groups he once performed, as leading Emcee Vijaya Corea would relay the description. Channa Wijewardene's dancers will offer their best at this memorable event.

A CD consisting new and old hits of Annesley will be released to mark the occasion.

Profile

Name - Annesley Malawana

Birthday - June 13

School - St. Joseph's College, Colombo

Life and Music - Formed 'Moonstones' with Clarence in 1966

First job at A. T. Cooray in 1966

Recorded "Mango Nanda" on Philips Label 1966

Rosa Male - Kalu Mama for Sooriya Label 1969

Leader-Moonstones 1970

Formed Super Golden Chimes with Clarence 1974

Employed at GIL Garments 1976

Married Swarnamali in 1977

Employed at Fairline Garments as General Manager 1981

Formed own Entertainment Company 2002

Set up Annesley and the Super Chimes 2004

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