Desmond de Silva is a Sri Lankan singer and entertainer, noted for his youthful voice that has changed little over four decades of performing, and regarded as the "King of Baila. Baila is the term used to describe a form of Dance music popular on the island of Sri Lanka. " Born in Matara in southern Sri Lanka, De Silva is now resident in Great Britain and has performed to packed concert halls across the world. Matara can refer to Matara Eritrea Matara Sri Lanka Matará, Cangallo Province, Peru See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands
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1960s in Ceylon
"Des," as he is known to his fans, launched his career in popular music in Colombo in 1963, he was the lead vocalist of the Fire-Flies. Colombo ( Sinhala:, ˈkoləmbə Tamil: கொழும்பு is the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. His music was featured widely on Radio Ceylon and subsequently the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, the oldest radio station in South Asia. Radio Ceylon is the oldest Radio station in Asia. Broadcasting was started on an experimental basis in Ceylon by the Telegraph Department The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC came into existence on January 5th 1967 when Radio Ceylon became a public corporation Des has also performed with leading Sri Lankan pop groups - "Spitfires," "Gabo and the Breakaways," and the "Jetliners. " He sang a song titled 'Oba Nisa' with Mignonne Fernando and the Jetliners - it was hailed as a musical masterpiece at an international song festival. In 1976 he decided to form his own band, ' Desmond and the Clan. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ' They performed in various countries in South-East Asia, including the Maldives. In 1984 Desmond de Silva decided to go solo.
International song contests
Desmond de Silva has represented Sri Lanka at the 5th Olympiad of Songs in Athens, Greece in 1979 and at the Yamaha Festival of Song in Tokyo, Japan. Athens (ˈæθənz Αθήνα Athina,) the Capital and largest city of Greece, dominates the Attica periphery as one of the world's Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία officially, is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and located on the eastern side of the main island Honshū. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics.
Forty Year in Showbiz
He has celebrated 40 years in show business, selling millions of CDs around the world. De Silva is known for his popular renditions of Sri Lankan 'baila' music, which is a style whose origins are in Portuguese and Spanish music. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. He has had a string of baila hits including: 'Polkatu Hande,' ' Yaman Bando,' 'Chuda Manike,' 'Mamma No,' 'Miss Sri Lanka,' 'Hai Hui baby Achchi,' 'Rajasangabo' 'Komali Pane,' as well as popular recordings of anonymous baila songs. He is also known for a whole range of 'Party Time' non-stop baila music sold around the world.
Desmond de Silva now resides in London and has performed with London based backing group Foreign Affairs at many a concert in the United Kingdom. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located
Championing the cause of Autism
De Silva has championed the cause of autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Language development. The terminology Asperger syndrome (also called Asperger's syndrome, Asperger's disorder, Asperger's or AS) is the Autism spectrum disorder (ASD He created history in August 2005 by being the first Sri Lankan musician to appeal on behalf of autistic children and people with autism in Sri Lanka and urged Sri Lankans to 'speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves. Language development. The terminology Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ( Sinhalese:, இலங்கை known as Ceylon before 1972 is an Island ' De Silva received a standing ovation.
De Silva told thousands at the BMICH in Colombo: ' Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder affecting so many around the world. Autism is not mental illness, these children and adults think differently. Albert Einstein they say was autistic. Albert Einstein ( German: ˈalbɐt ˈaɪ̯nʃtaɪ̯n; English: ˈælbɝt ˈaɪnstaɪn (14 March 1879 – 18 April 1955 was a German -born theoretical How many in the audience know that there are 38,000 autistic people in Sri Lanka? So we as entertainers, urge you all to ‘speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves. ’ Lets spread awareness of autism, particularly when numbers of autistic children are rising and we urge our government to also provide public services – who knows we may even produce Albert Einsteins if we provide education, health, specialist speech therapy for autistic children in our lovely island. . . . '
Desmond de Silva launched the first ever Concert for Autism for Sri Lanka in Sydney, Australia on 31st March 2006.
He remains one of Sri Lanka's popular entertainers and is in heavy demand in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, India and other places.
Quotes on Desmond de Silva
' Desmond de Silva is one of Sri Lanka's leading musicians - he has popularized Sri Lankan baila music all over the world and has appeared as far afield as Los Angeles, New York, Melbourne, London, Auckland, Dubai, Bahrain, New Delhi and Singapore. '
' Yes. . . they all came in droves to hear and see their hero back in high action at the sold out concert at BMICH. The older fans to savour the event and listen to their favourite songs, while the young eager to enjoy, maybe for the first time, Desmond Live in Concert - a concert with an unexpected difference. It was also a night for the elite in the music world, theatre, fashion and society - sure they were not going to miss out on this extravaganza and Desmond's acclaimed showmanship. . . . '
' Desmond has a heart of gold, he is reaching out to people with autism and the Autism Awareness Campaign Sri Lanka are grateful to the 'King of Baila' for raising awareness about the condition. Desmond de Silva is making a difference. He has enthralled audiences all over the world. His CDs have sold millions all over the globe. Desmond was touched to hear about the plight of 38,000 autistic children in Sri Lanka - only a handful are being helped in schools and parents, carers and autists have to struggle to access public services in health, education specialist speech therapy and respite care on the island. '
'Mr de Silva, who has been performing for over 40 years, is expected to perform some of his top hits. The artist has performed to sell-out crowds all over the world and will be performing for the first time at The Warbler, Baisan International Hotel in Bahrain. An accomplished singer of English songs, he began his musical journey in 1963 with the band, Fireflies. The singer has also worked with SriMirage, the band currently performing at The Warbler, and today's show will mark their reunion. . . . . '
See also
External links
- World Music Central: Desmond de Silva Autism Fundraiser in Sydney Australia
- Autism Sri Lanka: Desmond de Silva Autism Concert in Sydney
- Desmond de Silva appeals on Autism
- Desmond de Silva presents a Lifetime Achievement Award
- Listen to Desmond de Silva on Sinhala Jukebox
- Desmond de Silva on Sinhala Songs Page
- Desmond de Silva on the Myuru Gee Library
- World Music Central Article on Sri Lankan Musicians
- Sunday Observer Article on Desmond de Silva's 40 years in Showbiz
- Gulf Daily News Bahrain article
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