"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. Dance music is a style of popular music commonly played in dance music nightclubs, radio stations and shows and raves. ... World map showing Europe Political map (neighboring countries in Asia and Africa also shown) Europe is one of the seven traditional continents of the Earth. ...

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 these rhythms to accomodate Sinhala lyrics. By the 1970s, owing to the contributions of musician Clarence Wijewardane, baila grew to become a recognized style of popular music. Sinhala (also referred to as Sinhalese; earlier referred to as Singhalese) is the mother tongue of the Sinhalese, the largest ethnic group of Sri Lanka. ... Clarence Wijewardene (August 3, 1943 - December 13, 1996) is a pioneering Sri Lankan musician, who introduced the electric guitar to Sinhala music. ...

History

The term "baila" is adapted from the Portugese 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 Portugese 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".

Contemporary baila

Today, this style (often referred to by its "6/8" time) has been adapted to accomodate modern instruments - specifically the electric guitar and synthesiser. Due, in part, to this evolution, it is most often heard during parties, 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. Left: Rosa Hurricane, a heavy metal-style solid body guitar. ... The term synthesiser is also used to mean frequency synthesiser, an electronic system found in communications. ...

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. Desmond de Silva is one of Sri Lankas greatest entertainers, he is known as the King of Baila. ... The current group. ... Annesley Malewana Annesley Malewana (b. ... Clarence Wijewardene Clarence Wijewardene (b. ... Dalreen Suby (Arnolda) is a popular pop singer from Sri Lanka who started her career in the early 1970s and still very popular in Sri Lanka. ...

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. Vernon Corea; radio broadcaster Corea was a pioneer broadcaster with 45 years of public service broadcasting both in Sri Lanka and the UK. He joined Radio Ceylon, South Asias oldest radio station, in 1957 and later the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. ... // The Launching of Broadcasting in Ceylon Radio Ceylon is the oldest radio station in South Asia. ... BBC London 94. ...

Popular baila songs

• Chuda Manike
• Polkatu Hande
• Hai Hooi Babi Aachchi
• Sudu Menike
• Surangani
• Lassana Amba Gassak Soyala
• Mage sudu Mame
• Nurse Nona

External links

• Sinhala songs
• Baila songs on Sinhalajukebox
• Sri Lanka Music Directory
• Listen to baila on the LA Baila site
• Listen to top Sri Lankan baila hit songs on the Vernon Presents page
• Live Streaming from the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation