From Sunday Leader... article...
Music And Mission – Bob Dylan To Nanda Malani
When one talks about protest songs that enlighten the public about human freedom and injustice around them, some songs of the renowned Sri Lankan vocalist Nanda Malani can be mentioned. For instance, her song Rana Derane questions soldiers who fight people who call for justice. In this song, she pleads with the soldiers not to raise their weapons against these freedom fighters.
Nanda Malani sang the popular song Me Sinhala Upage Ratai (This Is Our Sinhala County) which was hailed by the nationalists. When Sri Lankan society absorbed multiculturalism, she denounced her own song and refused to perform it in public. In the early ’80s, her songs were critical of the Open Economy that was introduced by President J. R. Jayewardene in 1977. When the Premadasa regime violated human rights, she became the voice of the people. The young rebels of the south in 1980s embraced her protest songs. According to some classified reports, ultra left wing youth faced executions for singing her protest songs especially the song Yadamin Banda that glorified revolutionary activities. Hence, Nanda Malini made a reflective impact on people.
However, she was unable to give leadership and make her music a powerful social force that could be a strong voice for social justice since she did not believe in what she sang. Her music was dependent on the people’s requests. When they appealed for nationalism, she fulfilled the request with songs like Me Sinhala Apage Ratai. When the trend changed, she refused to perform it. When the trend was anti open economic system, her music changed accordingly despite the fact that she enjoyed the benefits of the market economy selling her music albums.
In the beginning of the terrorist activities in the north, the Jayewardene regime was reluctant to take stern measures. He preached Gandhian Avihinsa concepts and condemned the war actions of King Dutugemunu. Jayewardene was criticised by the public heavily. In these disputed times Nanda Malani released her song Mugurak Avasi Thana (When a club is required, take a club to your hand) that gained immense popularity. The mindset of President Jayewardene drastically changed. He appointed Brigadier Tissa Weeratunga “to eradicate” terrorism in the north within six months. But the conflict aggravated and the rest is history.
Her song Yadamin Banda speaks of bravery and self-sacrifice when fighting social injustice. However journalist and film critic Gunasiri Silva narrated the reactions of Nanda Malani and Professor Sunil Ariyaratne soon after the assassination of Vijaya Kumaratunga in the book Pihatu Pena. According to Gunasiri Silva, Nanda Malani and Professor Sunil Ariyaratne avoided him when he wanted to get a newspaper comment on Vijaya’s brutal killing. As Gunasiri Silva states Nanda Malani did not even answer his calls.
Nanda Malani could have been the symbol of freedom and social justice in Sri Lanka and she could have accomplished a worthwhile mission through her music like Dylan, Joan Baez and other outstanding charismatic singers who spoke against injustice with intellect, responsibility and without double standards. Unfortunately, Nanda Malani missed that opportunity.
