Baila

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Baila is the term used to describe a form of dance music popular on the island of Sri Lanka. The genre originated centuries ago among the 'kaffir' communities (mixed communities consisting of Portuguese, African and native Sri Lankan people), and was later amalgamated with European instruments and rhythms.

Baila music was introduced to Sri Lanka's mainstream during the early years of the 1960s when singer Wally Bastien (who was also a police officer), began adapting the 6/8 'kaffirhina' rhythms to accommodate Sinhala lyrics. By the 1970s, owing largely to the contributions of musicians Clarence Wijewardane and Maxwell Mendis; baila had grown to become a recognized (and respected) style of Sri Lankan popular music.

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[edit] History

The term "baila" is adapted from the Portuguese word "bailar" - meaning "to dance".

Thus, Baila music, as its etymology suggests, is deeply rooted in Sri Lanka's colonial history - particularly within the communities established by the Portuguese traders of the 16th century. These communities (consisting of Portuguese traders and the slaves that they had brought with them from the Western Coast of Africa) gradually combined with communities of native Sri Lankans. From this cultural interchange, emerged the musical style now referred to as "baila".

[edit] Contemporary baila

Today, this kaffirhina style (often referred to by its "6/8" time) has been adapted from violin and honky tonk piano to accommodate modern instruments - specifically the electric guitar and synthesiser/workstation keyboards, octapad, and drum kit. Due, in part, to this evolution, it is most often heard during parties, school reunions, charity dinner dances, hotel concerts, and weddings. Contemporary baila is also characterized by comical lyrics, often loosely adapted from themes derived from Sri Lanka's history and/or folklore.

Popular baila artists include Desmond de Silva (sometimes referred to as "The King of Baila"), Sunil Perera (lead singer of the pop group The Gypsies), Annesley Malewana, A.E.Manoharan, Clarence Wijewardene, Dalreen, the late Maxwell Mendis, M.S. Fernando, and many more.

Radio broadcaster Vernon Corea has recently been credited with having helped to spread baila music to the English-speaking world via English-language programs aired on Radio Ceylon and BBC Radio London during the late 1960s and 1970s.

In December of 2006 a Non Stop Dance CD with greatest baila hits titled Sri Lankan Open House Party was released in Sri Lanka. The Music was directed by renowned composer Suresh Maliyadde while the music to the CD was provided by Niresh Perera (The Gypsies) on drums, Mahinda Bandara (Fortunes) on guitar, Tilak Dias on bass, Tissasiri Perera on key boards and Visharadha Monaj Pieris on percussion. Singers powering these all time evergreens are Kanishka Wijetunga, Ganesha Wijetunga, Mariazelle Goonetilleke and Suresh Maliyadde.

[edit] Popular baila songs

(Note: The external audio song links below require Real Audio Player)

[edit] External links

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