• Nuwan Gunawardana tribute concert to be held tomorrow (18)

The late Nuwan Gunawardana made a mark in Sri Lanka’s music industry, with hits like Kandulinma Gayu Pem Geethe, Obe Pem Wadan, and Adare Karannepa Oya. The musician, singer, and composer passed away at the age of 73 on 8 December 2022. Paying tribute to Nuwan Gunawardana is the Thaththai Puthai concert, which will be held tomorrow (18) at the BMICH Auditorium, with his son, Gayan Gunawardana, also a popular singer, and his daughter, Dulari Gunawardana taking the stage in honour of their father.

Sharing more details with The Daily Morning Brunch about the concert, as well as the influence his father has had on him, was Gayan Gunawardana.

‘Thaththai Puthai’

The concert series Thaththai Puthai was launched in 2018, with the first concert held on 9 December that year. Gayan shared the stage with his father at the first concert, and they went on to perform the concert in Anuradhapura in 2022. Regarding the third concert, Gayan said: “Unfortunately, we are not having our father performing at this concert so it will be in memory of him.”

The main focus at the upcoming show will be Nuwan Gunawardana’s original songs, as well as film and teledrama songs and Hindi songs. Gayan explained that his father became famous by singing Hindi songs, and after Tony Hassan, had one of the best Hindi pronunciation.

“After H.R. Jothipala and Gratien Ananda, he was the biggest playback singer of films in Sri Lanka. We are focusing on his movie songs, his teledrama songs, and his originals, as well as Hindi songs, as he started his career as a Hindi song singer,” Gayan said. He added that the concert will also feature his own songs, along with special appearances by guest artists who will be performing their originals and Nuwan Gunawardana’s songs as a tribute to his father.

“It’s going to be a colourful event. We are going to have artists such as myself and my sister. Music will be provided by RAWDS, which is a band we formed through the teledrama Paara Dige. We have artists like Kavindya Adikari, Piyath Rajapakse, Sajitha Anuththara Anthony, Dimithri Rajasinghe, as well as Gayan Udawatta, Sachin Chathuranga, Induwara Sooriyabandara, and Kusal Maduranga. The compere for this event is Dhananjaya Siriwardena,” Gayan said.

He was confident the event would be marvellous, and added that the eight members of RAWDS will be joined by additional players like a violinist, flutist, percussionist, and a rhythm guitarist. “It’s going to be a magical event, I’m sure. I myself am a fan of this event already, so let’s see what happens. I hope people will come to the concert, remember my father, share a smile and tear, and enjoy,” he added.

Gayan went on to say that he would also like to take the tribute concert island-wide and also overseas, with invitations already coming his way. “This concert series is based on my father’s remembrance, so I’ll be more than happy to take this concert everywhere possible.”

Father’s influence

It is evident in the way Gayan speaks about his father that Nuwan Gunawardana was a great influence on his life. Gayan grew up watching his father perform in front of thousands of people, supported by loyal fans. However, Gayan notes how humble his father was as an artist, and how much love he shared with his fans. “He was a very influential character.”

Nuwan Gunawardana’s work as a performer and singer had an obvious impact on Gayan, who shared that he followed his father’s dedication to the arts, as well as his humble nature and singing techniques. “Being a playback singer is actually quite difficult, because you have to provide that quality that turns an actor or character into a hero, which is in the hands of the playback singer. My father was a gifted, talented, and strong singer, providing his voice to actors like Ranjan Ramanayake, Jeevan Kumarathunga, Sanath Gunathilake, Lucky Dias, Cletus Mendis, Roshan Ranawana, and so many others. He gave that personality to the individual stars, and I liked that in my father,” he said.

While influenced by his father and following in his father’s footsteps, Gayan is also determined to create his own vision and sound in the industry. Away from the stage, Gayan noted that Nuwan Gunawardana was also a wonderful father, a best friend, and a brother.

When asked about his thoughts about sharing a stage with his sister, instead of his father, at the latest Thaththai Puthai concert, Gayan said: “It’s actually a pleasure and blessing to sing besides my sister because that way, I get to feel the same rhythm and bond I had with my father. I get to share it with my sister. I’m happy to have that moment to share the stage with my sister.” He added that they will be performing a couple of Hindi medleys, some of their father’s songs, and a duet.

“I am very happy to sing besides my sister for the very first time in my life, so let’s see how it goes,” Gayan shared.

What comes next

After the Thaththai Puthai concert tomorrow, Gayan will be focusing on his father’s almsgiving on 8 December, marking a year since he passed away. This year, he also plans on releasing a new song after the concert. His next teledrama will also make it to the screen soon.

“Next year, I will be focusing on my band, producing some songs – solo songs, duets, and originals – and different types of concert series as well,” Gayan said.

“I have sung almost 35 songs, including teledrama songs, originals, and my father’s songs. My most recent song was called Sansara Sanchare, produced and written by Rajith Chathuranga. The music and the melody was created by Gayan Randy Perera. The music video was directed by Sandesh Bandara. It was a different kind of song; it was a love song. I received a lot of positive feedback for this song.”

While Gayan has produced songs in the genre and style of his father, he has also worked with a variety of other genres, and said: “I’m still finding my way as a musician and singer. I want to compose a couple of songs that I have produced for teledramas, and I’m trying to make my way in this industry.”

He added: “I have different parts in the entertainment industry. I’m a singer, an actor, a TV and radio presenter, and a composer. I have my band. And I’m a businessman. I have all those things to follow up on.”