Veteran singer Visharada Nanda Malani Nawala has passed away at her home. She was 82 years old at the time of her death. She was born on 23 August 1943 in Lewanduwa, Aluthgama.
Having displayed her singing abilities since childhood, she moved to Kotahena, Colombo as a teenager and enrolled in Sri Gunananda College. She honed her singing skills through the then popular radio program “Lama Mandapaya” hosted by Karunaratne Abeysekara.
Nanda Malani got the opportunity to sing a yuga gee with Narada Disasekara in the film “Ranmuthu Duwa”, which was produced in 1961 and had music directed by Pandit W. D. Amaradeva. She sang the song “Galana Gangaki Jeeveeti” as her first film song, which became extremely popular.
She then participated in popular music programs such as Pandit Amaradeva’s “Madhuwanthi”, and further showcased her singing talent through songs including “Sannaliyane” and “Ran Dahadiya Bindu Bindu”.
Ms. Nanda Malani has received numerous awards for her contribution to the Sri Lankan music industry over the decades.