It was the year 1956. The Borella YMBA Hall was packed with people enjoying a poetry-singing competition. Several contestants had delivered magnificent performances. Now, everyone was waiting to see who the winner would be. Suddenly, the announcer called out the name in a loud voice. Amid thunderous applause, a girl of about 13 stepped onto the stage. She was the one who had won the gold medal in the singing competition. No one present that day realised that she possessed a voice capable of captivating the entire Nation in the future. She possessed a blessed voice capable of healing the hearts and minds of an entire Nation. Dr Nanda Malini, an immensely popular vocal icon of our country, bade farewell to the Nation on Thursday, 20 August 2026, leaving behind an irreplaceable void and plunging the entire country into deep sorrow.
The aforementioned competition marked the turning point in her life. This culminated in an invitation from the legendary Sri Lankan maestro W D Amaradeva to sing a song. Consequently, she appeared on the Lama Mandapaya (Children's Pavilion) programme on the SLBC and sang the song Budu Saadu. Thus, she began her musical journey. On that day, it became Nanda Malini's first radio song. For decades thereafter, she delighted the people of this land with her music.
Amaradeva selected her to provide playback vocals for Ranmuthu Duwa, the first Sinhala colour film, released in 1963, because he recognised her exceptional vocal talent. For that same film, she sang the song Galana Gangaki Jeevithe (Life is a Flowing River), penned by Sri Chandraratna Manawasinghe as his first-ever film lyric, in a duet with Narada Disasekara. That film swept all the Sarasavi awards in the music category that year, and she was honoured with the award for Best Female Singer. Nanda Malini contributed her vocals to numerous films, and it is noteworthy that many songs which have left an indelible mark on the local music scene were brought to life by the melodious quality of her voice.
Having studied classical music at the Bhatkhande Music Institute in India and obtained the 'Visharada' qualification, she greatly enriched the local music landscape in every respect. She gifted the Nation numerous highly popular solo concerts and music albums, such as 'Sathyaye Geethaya', 'Pavana', 'Hemanthayedi', and 'Pembara Lanka', while also nurturing the country's children with music through the creation of many children's songs, including 'Sindu Hodiya'.
She gifted the country a collection of children's songs such as Ayanna Kiyanna, Tikki Tikiri, Raththaran Rate, Ha Ha Hari Hawa, and Mal Kiyanne Kata Kata. Her songs were distinguished by themes of Buddhist devotion and the artistry of refined vocal performance. She breathed life into the hearts of those who love their country and Nation.
That is why Buddhist songs such as Buddhānubhāvena, Budu Karunā, and Dannō Budungē continue to resonate in our memories to this day. Songs like Ammāvarunē, Ahasa Sē Oba Ananthai, Tharu Da Nidana Maha Rē, Manda Nāva Kāraṇāva, Ran Kenden Bända, Pūjāsanayē Oba Hiduvā and Sädä Kaluvara are creations that highlight the brilliance of her talent. Songs such as Araliya Landata, Ruk-akthana Mala, Sāri Podiththak Ändagenā, and Ran Giri Giri Gigiri Gigiri also stand as exquisite vocal performances delivered by her.
The collection of songs she performed during the turbulent and terror-stricken era of the late 1980s, including tracks like Yadamin Bænda Vilangu La, stands as a testament to her courage. She consistently chose exceptional artistic works that were deeply connected to the heartbeat of the people. She sang with her feet firmly planted on this very soil; consequently, she remained undeterred in the face of criticism, drawing strength from the very character of her voice.
Throughout her life, she meaningfully experienced the ‘Eight Worldly Conditions’ taught in Buddhism. There was hardly anyone who was not captivated by her voice. In recognition of her exceptional vocal talent, she was honoured with numerous national and international awards, including 12 Sarasaviya Awards and 10 Presidential Awards for Best Female Vocalist.
She was the great healer who soothed the minds of this country's children. Through a single set of song lyrics, she conveyed what a thousand pages of books could not. She was a beloved mother, wife, sister, friend, and daughter to this Nation. She is the immortal Nanda Malini. In accordance with her final wishes, her funeral proceedings were conducted with great simplicity. Although her mortal remains were laid to eternal rest on the evening of Saturday (22), her voice continues to echo forever across every corner of this land.
Puujasanaye Oba hinduwa…. Obata Pudana Me Lokayamai heta Obata Erehivi nagitinne….” It is this very world, which has placed you upon a pedestal and worships you, that will rise up against you tomorrow.