Piyaneni
Encyclopedia
Piyaneni is a classic Sri Lankan pop song composed by the Sri Lanka
n musician, Clarence Wijewardena. It is a tribute in song to the love of a father. Wijeywardena used the rhythmic pattern of the Bossa nova
for 'Piyaneni'.
In the 1960s Clarence Wijewardena was mentored by the pioneer Radio Ceylon
broadcaster, Vernon Corea
who helped him to reach the pinnacle of fame in the music world in Sri Lanka
. Vernon Corea also played the music of Clarence Wijewardena, Annesley Malewana
and the Moonstones not only on his radio programmes on Radio Ceylon but also on his popular programme 'London Sounds Eastern
', on BBC Radio London in the late 1970s. He was invited by Clarence to write on a 1970s Lotus LP sleeve. Vernon Corea wrote: "We have all shared the treat of your lovely Lyrics, your tuneful compositions, your friendly presentation and your spontaneous sense of sharing with your followers, your treasury of talent. Keep going, keep growing, keep glowing".
In the early 1970s Clarence Wijewardena composed 'Piyaneni' as a tribute to Reverend Canon Ivan Corea, the father of Radio Ceylon/BBC broadcaster Vernon Corea and Ambassador
Ernest Corea
. Reverend Ivan Corea was a much loved priest
who worked for the poor on the island. He had helped the poorest of the poor - the Rodiya Community in Sri Lanka.
Clarence Wijewardena had visited Vernon Corea's residence in Maha Nuge Gardens
in Colombo
in the 1960s and met Reverend Corea prior to his death in 1968.
'Piyaneni' went on to become a hit in South Asia
. Wijewardena's partner Annesley Malewana who was a member of the 'Moonstones' and the 'Super Golden Chimes' has sung 'Piyaneni' across the world including London
, Melbourne
and Los Angeles
.
Listen to a clip of the hit song 'Piyaneni' here:
Watch the film 'Piyaneni' on the goonewj channel on youtube:
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 musician, Clarence Wijewardena. It is a tribute in song to the love of a father. Wijeywardena used the rhythmic pattern of the Bossa nova
Bossa nova
Bossa nova is a style of Brazilian music. Bossa nova acquired a large following in the 1960s, initially consisting of young musicians and college students...
for 'Piyaneni'.
In the 1960s Clarence Wijewardena was mentored by the pioneer 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 :...
broadcaster, 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...
who helped him to reach the pinnacle of fame in the music world in Sri Lanka
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...
. Vernon Corea also played the music of Clarence Wijewardena, Annesley Malewana
Annesley 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...
and the Moonstones not only on his radio programmes on Radio Ceylon but also on his popular 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 in the late 1970s. He was invited by Clarence to write on a 1970s Lotus LP sleeve. Vernon Corea wrote: "We have all shared the treat of your lovely Lyrics, your tuneful compositions, your friendly presentation and your spontaneous sense of sharing with your followers, your treasury of talent. Keep going, keep growing, keep glowing".
In the early 1970s Clarence Wijewardena composed 'Piyaneni' as a tribute to Reverend Canon Ivan Corea, the father of Radio Ceylon/BBC broadcaster Vernon Corea and Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
Ernest Corea
Ernest Corea
-Early life:Corea was born in Kurana, Katunayake in Ceylon.His parents were Reverend Canon Ivan Corea and Ouida Corea, and was the brother of Vernon Corea a pioneering broadcaster with Radio Ceylon/SLBC and Ethinic Minorities Adviser to the BBC. Rev. Corea was Rural Dean of Colombo in the Church...
. Reverend Ivan Corea was a much loved priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
who worked for the poor on the island. He had helped the poorest of the poor - the Rodiya Community in Sri Lanka.
Clarence Wijewardena had visited Vernon Corea's residence in Maha Nuge Gardens
Maha Nuge Gardens
Maha Nuge Gardens is a private lane located in the Kollupitiya district in the city of Colombo . Even though it is called a garden, nothing of any importance is grown here. The lane runs off the main Colombo highway called Galle Road,leading to the commercial district of Fort, via the Galle Face...
in Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
in the 1960s and met Reverend Corea prior to his death in 1968.
'Piyaneni' went on to become a hit 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...
. Wijewardena's partner Annesley Malewana who was a member of the 'Moonstones' and the 'Super Golden Chimes' has sung 'Piyaneni' across the world including London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
and Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
Listen to a clip of the hit song 'Piyaneni' here:
Watch the film 'Piyaneni' on the goonewj channel on youtube:
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...
- Ivan Corea
- 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...
- Vernon CoreaVernon CoreaVernon 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...
External links
- A name etched in memory
- An essay on Clarence Wijewardena
- Sinhala Jukebox
- Miyuru Gee tribute to Clarence Wijewardena
- Rev. Canon Corea and Ouida Corea of Sri Lanka
- Lanka’s pop pioneer-Clarence Wijewardena
- Clarence Wijewardena composed Piyaneni for Vernon's Father
- Clarence Wijewardena’s hit Piyaneni was composed in memory of Reverend Canon Ivan Corea
- Piyaneni A Tribute To Rev Canon Ivan Corea Annesley Malewana-World News website
- Piyaneni Clarence Wijewardena's hit song 'Piyaneni' sung by Annesley Malewana
- Facebook Interest Page on Clarence Wijewardena's classic song 'Piyaneni.'