Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya delivered a message of condolence in Parliament today (21) following the passing of veteran musician Visharad Dr. Nanda Malini.
The Prime Minister delivered the condolence message at the commencement of parliamentary proceedings, prior to the tabling of papers and documents.
In her message, Prime Minister Amarasuriya described Dr. Nanda Malini as the “golden voice of Sri Lankan music” and paid tribute to her nearly eight-decade contribution to the country’s musical and cultural landscape.
Recalling Dr. Nanda Malini’s musical journey, the Prime Minister highlighted her entry into the world of music during childhood with the song Budu Saadu Mama Sandun Gasak Wennam and her subsequent entry into cinema music through Ran Muthu Doova under the guidance of the late Dr. W. D. Amaradeva.
She noted that Dr. Nanda Malini’s songs became deeply intertwined with the lives and memories of generations of Sri Lankans, while her music also gave expression to the suffering, hopes and struggles of ordinary people.
The Prime Minister further praised Dr. Nanda Malini for using her artistic voice to advocate for peace, coexistence, humanity and social justice, particularly through creative works such as Pawana and Sathyaye Geethaya.
Reflecting on her personal connection to Dr. Nanda Malini’s music, Prime Minister Amarasuriya said her songs had accompanied her through moments of happiness, sorrow and reflection, and had become more than music to generations of listeners.
She also recalled the opportunity she had exactly one year ago to celebrate Dr. Nanda Malini’s 82nd birthday and honour her contribution to Sri Lankan music.
The Prime Minister said that although the voice that had accompanied generations of Sri Lankans for decades had fallen silent, Dr. Nanda Malini’s songs would continue to live on in the memories and hearts of the people.
She paid her deepest respects to Dr. Nanda Malini and extended her condolences to her two daughters, family members and all Sri Lankans who loved her music. She also prayed that the late artiste would attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
Condolence message delivered by the Prime Minister in Parliament on the passing of Dr. Nanda Malini:
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Nanda Malini, who was revered as the golden voice of Sri Lankan music and who enriched the music and cultural landscape of our country through her unparalleled vocal artistry for nearly eight decades.
As an admirer who grew up listening to Dr. Nanda Malini’s songs, with those songs accompanying me through various moments of my life, her passing feels to me as more than simply the loss of an unparalleled artistic personality in Sri Lankan music. It feels like the departure of a familiar voice that was close to our lives, intertwined with our memories, and presented with us in both moments of joy and sorrow. Her songs were deeply woven into the life experiences of our generation, and the memories created through that beautiful voice are recalled with even greater poignancy today following her passing.
Having entered the world of music in her childhood by singing “Budu Saadu Mama Sandun Gasak Wennam,”she entered the field of cinema music through the film Ran Muthu Doova, under the guidance and mentorship of the late Dr. W. D. Amaradeva. From that point onwards, for decades, her voice quietly accompanied our daily lives, in our homes, during our school years, at celebrations and national occasions. Many of the songs she sang were not merely songs we listened to; they became part of our own lives.
Her career as a vocalist represented not only an era in Sri Lankan music, but also a living expression of the lives of our people, social movements and human emotions. Going beyond singing about human emotions such as love and separation, she gave voice through her songs to the suffering, fears, hopes and struggles of ordinary people. That is why, when we heard her songs, what we felt was not merely the voice of a singer, but the voice of our own society.
She was never an artist detached from society. Refusing to remain silent in the face of injustice, she fearlessly raised her voice for peace and coexistence, humanity and social justice. Through creative interventions such as Pawana and Sathyaye Geethaya, she demonstrated that an artist’s voice could speak on behalf of the suffering of society, and that a song could awaken sensitivity within people and inspire hope for a better society.
I, too, have many personal memories associated with Dr. Nanda Malini’s songs. Some songs I have listened to during moments filled with happiness. Others are connected to moments of sorrow or quiet reflection. Still others remind us of the times in which we lived, the social experiences we faced, and the hopes we carried within us. Therefore, her voice was not merely music to us. It was a voice that journeyed alongside our lives, understood our emotions and, at times, spoke on our behalf.
Her contribution to Sri Lankan music, enriched by her profound mastery of classical music, unparalleled vocal personality and exceptional ability to convey emotion, is immeasurable. Yet, beyond all the awards and honours she received, the love she earned in the hearts of generations of people stands as the true measure of her artistic legacy. It is for this reason that her voice was so deeply familiar to my generation and to me.
As we mourn her passing today, I remember not only the unparalleled artist whom Sri Lankan music has lost, but also a beloved voice that was intertwined with so many memories of our lives. I recall with profound respect and sorrow the opportunity I had, exactly one year ago today, to celebrate her 82nd birthday and to express our love and respect while experiencing her melodious voice in person.
Although the voice that journeyed with us for decades has fallen silent today, the songs she sang will continue to live on in our memories and in our hearts.
The collection of songs she left behind, the artistic tradition she helped build, and the example she set of the responsibility an artist can fulfil towards society will continue to guide future generations. Her voice will continue to be heard not merely as music, but as a courageous voice raised for justice, peace, humanity and love for this country.
I pay my deepest respect to Dr. Nanda Malini, whose voice gave expression to so many memories of our lives, who was embraced with love by generations of people, and who marked an immortal chapter in the history of Sri Lankan music. May she attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
I extend my deepest condolences to her two daughters and all members of her family, as well as to the people of Sri Lanka who loved her voice and her music.”
