{"id":73148,"date":"2021-09-06T09:17:52","date_gmt":"2021-09-06T09:17:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=73148"},"modified":"2021-09-06T09:17:52","modified_gmt":"2021-09-06T09:17:52","slug":"sunil-perera-sri-lankas-larger-than-life-music-legend-dies-at-68-by-ranga-sirilal-and-ayeshea-perera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/sunil-perera-sri-lankas-larger-than-life-music-legend-dies-at-68-by-ranga-sirilal-and-ayeshea-perera\/","title":{"rendered":"Sunil Perera: Sri Lanka&#8217;s larger than life music legend dies at 68 By Ranga Sirilal and Ayeshea Perera"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 id=\"main-heading\" class=\"ssrcss-1lgj0ki-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\" style=\"text-align: center;\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span style=\"font-size: 24px; color: #003366;\">Sunil Perera: Sri Lanka&#8217;s larger than life music legend dies at 68<\/span><\/h1>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1gg9z89-Contributor e5xb54n2\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 24px; color: #008080;\"><strong>By Ranga Sirilal and Ayeshea Perera<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-73149\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Sunil-Perera-Sri-Lankas-larger-than-life-music-legend-dies-at-68-1.jpg\" alt=\"Sunil Perera: Sri Lanka's larger than life music legend dies at 68 By Ranga Sirilal and Ayeshea Perera\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Source:-<a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-58458764\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.bbc.com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">His songs have pulled people on to dance floors at weddings and parties for decades.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Sunil Perera, one of the stalwarts of Sri Lanka&#8217;s baila genre &#8211; a memento of Portuguese colonisation &#8211; died on Monday aged 68, his family said.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">He is believed to have died of Covid-related complications.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Along with his band The Gypsies, Sunil wrote and performed songs with catchy tunes and clever lyrics, often about Sri Lankan life and politics.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">His song Uncle Johnson from 1987 related a hilarious tale of a ruined wedding anniversary party, while Signore focused on the laments of a defeated politician berating his ungrateful voters. Saima Cut Vela gave advice to a hysterical young woman convinced her husband was fatally ill when in fact he was just drunk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/S1CwNZ8MaiU\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">&#8220;It was his presence on stage, the character of the man, the rhythms, text and musicality that The Gypsies bring to us that has appealed to many a fan, spanning well over 50+ years,&#8221; Rohan de Lannerole, a prominent singer and choral conductor, said of his broad appeal to audiences.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">&#8220;It&#8217;s also adaptability to different audiences. I recall once, how minutes prior to an event, he changed his set list after taking a good look at the audience.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Sunil Perera was born in 1952 and was one of 10 children.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">His father, an ex-soldier, was the original founder of The Gypsies. Sunil later joined along with his brothers, eventually taking over. Together, they released hit after hit, becoming Sri Lanka&#8217;s biggest music franchise.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">On stage and in his recordings, Sunil was a dynamic figure, full of high energy. Off-stage, he was as vocal, opinionated and colourful, often expressing things that were quite out of character for the industry. Most Sri Lankan artists before him and even after have preferred to keep a low profile outside their music.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IHaa05GKflU\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">But not Sunil.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/ravana.files.wordpress.com\/2008\/04\/interview-with-sunil-perera-for-lt-part-2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">He spoke openly about topics like sex<\/a> &#8211; often taboo subjects in conservative Sri Lanka. In one interview, he said: &#8220;People come and ask me &#8216;Do you read any books?&#8217;. I say, &#8216;Yes, I have some books. You might be interested, but the thing is &#8211; I read mainly about sex&#8217;.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">He was also vocally against Sri Lanka&#8217;s current administration, particularly President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and his brother former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. In 2015, when the family was briefly voted out of power, he said that\u00a0<a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/gypsies-sunil-fears-mahinda-will-kill-him-if-elected\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">he feared he would be killed<\/a>\u00a0if Mahinda was elected again. He had equally scathing words for the opposition calling both the country&#8217;s major political parties the\u00a0<a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.timeslanka.com\/2016\/04\/06\/sunil-perera-of-gypsies-speaks-his-mind-out-at-public-forum\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8220;bane of the country&#8221;<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">He has also spoken out against high-profile murders &#8211; like that of journalist Lasantha Wickramatunga &#8211; and criticised political interference against the police.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Sunil Perera has been honest and truthful when expressing his views and opinions. But it is also evident that his opinions and viewpoints were contradictory from time to time. I guess people change the way they think with their age, experiences and even illnesses. That is acceptable,&#8221; said Upul Shantha Sannasgala, a social critic and teacher.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">&#8220;However, in a country like Sri Lanka if a person is not biased towards a particular race, religion or class I have immense respect for that person. I see that quality in Sunil Perera and I respect him for that,&#8221; Mr Sannasgala added.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Tributes have been pouring in for the singer on social media.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i87\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18snukc-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Among them was former Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara who tweeted, &#8220;A kind, gentle and generous man who moved us with song and rhythm. Small made but giant in influence and heart&#8221;.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sunil Perera: Sri Lanka&#8217;s larger than life music legend dies at 68 By Ranga Sirilal and Ayeshea Perera Source:-www.bbc.com His songs have pulled people on to dance floors at weddings and parties for decades. Sunil Perera, one of the stalwarts of Sri Lanka&#8217;s baila genre &#8211; a memento of Portuguese colonisation &#8211; died on Monday [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":73149,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[15418,37092,2394,37109,24255,37108],"class_list":{"0":"post-73148","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-aside","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-articles","8":"tag-covid","9":"tag-gypsies","10":"tag-kumar-sangakkara","11":"tag-mr-sannasgala","12":"tag-sunil-perera","13":"tag-uncle-johnson","14":"post_format-post-format-aside"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.7.1 (Yoast SEO v25.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Sunil Perera: Sri Lanka&#039;s larger than life music legend dies at 68 By Ranga Sirilal and Ayeshea Perera - eLanka<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"His songs have pulled people on to dance floors at weddings and parties for decades.Sunil Perera, one of the stalwarts of Sri Lanka&#039;s baila genre - 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