Baila Chakravarthi's memory lingers on

by Anton Samanpriya

The ever popular singer M.S. Fernando's name will never be erased from the hearts of young and old music lovers in the country. Unlike many other songs, the melodies of popular songs by M.S. Fernando are still engraved in the hearts of music lovers.

Mahagamage Samson Fernando, affectionately called 'MS', left his loving audience in April 19 years ago.

M.S. was born to music. He was the first person in the country to sing Baila style songs.

M.S. Fernando

Although Baila music was introduced to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese, M.S. Fernando popularised it by singing his songs in a different and versatile manner.

M.S. stepped into the field of music at a very tender age. During his musical career he rose to the top by singing various types of Baila songs. His brother Walter Fernando was a tower of strength to him.

M.S. composed a number of songs for his brother Walter. Among them Pulligona purudukaraya became very popular. M.S. had one ambition. It was to take his songs to the local scene and the international scene.

He also performed in many countries.

He never forgot the name of J.A. Sathyadasan who taught him music. M.S had a rough voice.

People loved it and he was able to sing not only in his mother tongue Sinhala, but also in five other languages including English and Tamil.

At the time of his death he had sung over 5,000 songs. Both, young and old music lovers even today say that almost all his songs had become very popular.

He received the Ran Nelum award from former President William Gopallawa in 1973 for the invaluable service he rendered towards the development of local music.

First song

M.S sang his first song Malak kadala kondegasala with Pushparanee Ariyaratne. The song was composed by the late Karunaratna Abesekara. During his musical career, M.S. became a playback singer for over 150 Sinhala films. The popular hit Silisiliye nawasuwandak was the first song he sang for a Sinhala film.

M.S. also performed in over 25 Sinhala films and also acted in the Udagira teledrama, telecast over Rupavahini.

M.S. is no more, but his name has been immortalised as Baila Chakravarthi. Music lovers say that not only his name, but also his songs are immortal. The songs are engraved in their hearts forever. His brother Walter is still in the field of music and replaces his brother at functions and musical shows even today. M.S.Fernando's sons Susil, Sarath and Shantha always help to popularise the songs, sung by M.S. According to the sons the final song M.S. sang Lassana lowakata esdeka still lingers in the hearts of music lovers in the country.