Veteran Sri Lankan singer Nanda Malini has passed away at the age of 82, according to family sources.

Family sources further said that she passed away at her home in Nawala.

Nanda Malini, born on August 23, 1943, in Lewanduwa, Aluthgama, displayed her singing abilities from a young age.

She has gained praise and popularity and won eleven Sarasaviya Awards and eight Presidential Awards for Best Singer.

She moved to Kotahena in Colombo as an adolescent and was admitted to Sri Gunananda Vidyalaya, where she came under the tutelage of T. N. Margaret Perera. After winning a poetry contest, Malini was taken to Radio Ceylon by Perera and sang “Budu Sadu” on Karunaratne Abeysekera’s popular programme Lama Mandapaya.

Malini continued her training after achieving fame, learning under B. Victor Perera, studying for a year at Heywood and moving on to Bhatkhande Music Institute at Lucknow, India in 1963. 

She would later return to the University to obtain a Visharada degree in 1984. Upon her return to Sri Lanka, Malini appeared on Amaradeva’s programme Madhuvanthi singing “Sannaliyane” and “Ran Dahadiya Bindu Bindu.” 

Malini has had a string of successful releases: 

Perada Maha Re, Pahan Kanda, Sathyaye Geethaya, Hemanthayedi, Tharuka Es, Pavana, Sindu Hodiya, Kinduriyakage Vilapaya, Madhu Bandun, Tharu, Malmada Bisau, Cinema Geethavalokana, Kirimadu Vel, Londonyedi Geyu Gee, Yathra, Handahami, Sanka Padma, Pembara Lanka, Kunkuma Pottu, Gramaphone Gee, Araliya Landata, Malata Renu, Nilambare, Sari Podittak and Pirith Pen. 

Her choice of lyrics depicts realistic life situations, and most intricate love, human relationships and emotions. “Pipunu Male Ruwa”, “Sudu Hamine” and “Kada Mandiye” attest to her endless efforts to expose the hearts of women. 

Some of the legendary Nanda Malini’s popular songs, such as “Manda Nawa Karanawa”, are a humorous and sensitive account of a young woman’s experience of loneliness.