August 23, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is marking what would have been the 83rd birthday of legendary vocalist and musician Visharad Dr Nanda Malini, whose distinctive voice and enduring body of work left an indelible mark on the country’s musical heritage.
Born on 23 August 1943 in Lewwanduwa, Aluthgama, Nanda Malini emerged as one of the most influential figures in Sri Lankan music. Her artistic journey began at a young age, when she was given an opportunity to perform on the popular radio programme Lama Mandapaya, hosted by veteran broadcaster Karunaratne Abeysekera.
Her performance of Budu Saadu quickly attracted public attention and established her as a promising young voice. That early success was followed by an opportunity to enter the world of cinema.
In 1961, she recorded her first film song, Galana Gangaki Jeewithe, as a duet with Narada Disasekara for Ran Muthu Doova, Sri Lanka’s pioneering colour film. The music for the film was composed by the celebrated maestro Dr W. D. Amaradeva. The song went on to become a major hit and marked an important milestone in Nanda Malini’s career.
Over the decades that followed, she developed a musical legacy that extended far beyond individual recordings. Her songs became closely associated with generations of Sri Lankan listeners, while her contribution to Sinhala music earned her widespread recognition and numerous honours.
Nanda Malini died at her home in Nawala on 20 August 2026, aged 82, bringing to a close a career that had spanned many decades.
The Government subsequently announced three days of national mourning from 21 to 23 August. Her remains were placed at the Nanda Malani Sangeetha Ashramaya in Nawala, where political leaders, fellow artistes and members of the public gathered to pay their respects.
Following religious observances on 22 August, her remains were taken in procession to Borella Cemetery in the afternoon. In keeping with her final wishes, she was cremated without a formal ceremonial programme.
Her death has brought an era of Sri Lankan music to a poignant close. Yet, through the songs that became part of the country’s cultural memory, Nanda Malini’s artistic voice is likely to remain familiar to generations to come.
