Kanda Surinduni
Encyclopedia
Kanda Surinduni is a Sri Lanka
n song composed by Clarence Wijewardena. It was originally performed by the Super Golden Chimes with Wijewardene at vocals in the mid-1970s.
The lyrics of the song present a prayer of praise to the god Kataragama
in the point of view of a pilgrim visiting the shrine in the Sri Lankan city of the same name; the hook translates to "I have come to worship you, I have come to see you." Despite the religious lyrics, the song's melody is festive and secular, in the style of Sri Lankan baila
.
The song was inspired by the practice of Kavadi
dancing at the Kataragama temple. 'Kanda Surinduni' went on to become a huge hit over the airwaves of Radio Ceylon
in South Asia
. The song was played by the legendary Radio Ceylon broadcaster
, Vernon Corea
on his radio programmes on the English
Services of the station and in 1976 on his popular BBC radio programme London Sounds Eastern
on BBC Radio London.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
n song composed by Clarence Wijewardena. It was originally performed by the Super Golden Chimes with Wijewardene at vocals in the mid-1970s.
The lyrics of the song present a prayer of praise to the god Kataragama
Kataragama
Kataragama is a pilgrimage town popular with Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and indigenous Vedda communities of Sri Lanka and South India. The town has Ruhunu Maha Kataragama devalaya, a shrine dedicated to Skanda-Murukan also known as Kataragamadevio...
in the point of view of a pilgrim visiting the shrine in the Sri Lankan city of the same name; the hook translates to "I have come to worship you, I have come to see you." Despite the religious lyrics, the song's melody is festive and secular, in the style of Sri Lankan baila
Baila
Baila is a form of dance music popular on the island of Sri Lanka. The genre originated centuries ago among the 'kaffir' or Afro-Sinhalese communities and was later amalgamated with European instruments and eastern and western rhythms, especially rhythms found in Spain and northern European folk...
.
The song was inspired by the practice of Kavadi
Kavadi
Kavadi Attam is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of Murugan, the Tamil God of War. It is often performed during the festival of Thaipusam and emphasizes debt bondage. The Kavadi itself is a physical burden through which the devotees implore for help from the God...
dancing at the Kataragama temple. 'Kanda Surinduni' went on to become a huge hit over the airwaves of Radio Ceylon
Radio Ceylon
Radio Ceylon is the oldest radio station in Asia. Broadcasting was started on an experimental basis in Ceylon by the Telegraph Department in 1923, just three years after the inauguration of broadcasting in Europe.- Edward Harper :...
in South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
. The song was played by the legendary Radio Ceylon broadcaster
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
, Vernon Corea
Vernon Corea
Vernon Corea was a pioneer radio broadcaster with 45 years of public service broadcasting both in Sri Lanka and the UK. He joined Radio Ceylon, South Asia's oldest radio station, in 1956 and later the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation...
on his radio programmes on the English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
Services of the station and in 1976 on his popular BBC radio programme London Sounds Eastern
London Sounds Eastern
London Sounds Eastern was one of the most popular ethnic minority radio program's on the BBC. It was presented by Vernon Corea and produced by Keith Yeomans.-The Launching of London Sounds Eastern -BBC Radio London:...
on BBC Radio London.
See also
- Radio CeylonRadio CeylonRadio Ceylon is the oldest radio station in Asia. Broadcasting was started on an experimental basis in Ceylon by the Telegraph Department in 1923, just three years after the inauguration of broadcasting in Europe.- Edward Harper :...
- Sri Lanka Broadcasting CorporationSri Lanka Broadcasting CorporationThe Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation came into existence on January 5, 1967 when Radio Ceylon became a public corporation. Dudley Senanayake who was the Prime Minister of Ceylon in 1967 ceremonially opened the newly established Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation along with Minister Ranasinghe...
- Clarence Wijewardena
- Annesley MalewanaAnnesley Malewana-Life and career:Malewana was born in Ratnapura , and attended St. Joseph’s College in the capital city of Colombo. Upon leaving school, he met Clarence Wijewardena, who formed the group Moonstones...