Rukmani Devi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49lmeOZfpp4

The above link is of Rukmani devi singing ‘ Thei(tea) pan dina dina vedi vedi ye, beemen sirurata sepa vediye’ of the  1940s. Very popular then. Rarely heard now.

Discovered by Rupasinghe Master, she was a sensation in singing, acting on stage  and film.

A beauty,  warm personality, deep quality voice; without a touch of haughtiness, she remained Daisy Akka to all name being Daisy Daniels. A Tamil lady who spoke perfect Sinhala. 

She acted and sang in our first film “ Kadavunu Poronduwa’.

Unlike Mohideen Baig the other great singer-from India, who spoke Sinhala but got his song words written in English.

Baig  did the first Sinhala song recording with ‘ Karuna Muhude Naaamu gileela’

Rukmani’s first recorded song was with Rupasinghe Master around 1936- ‘Buddhagaya Vihare’ the tune being Hindi.

She would always prostrate herself before her teacher  whenever she met  Rupasinghe.

Rukmani’s and  Baig’s  voices matched perfectly for films. Both quality singers, not those microphone only ones.

My mother said she saw her  on stage in ‘Chintamani’- 1930s.

Enjoy

Jksw

PS

My wife Ramya tells me that 'They Pan..' was played again and again, on a hand wound gramophone at a pansala nearby, during festivals.

Philip G V.

 

 

Malbara himidiriye/Rukmanie devi/Nevil Fernando

https://youtu.be/Rj2aOoXTe0Y

Punsanda Hinahennae - C.T. Fernando & Rukmani Devi

https://youtu.be/fRNAmfCyuW8

Kokilaya keviliya ha (Original) H.R. Jothipala _ Rukmani Devi__ Old Sinhala Songs 2012 2013

https://youtu.be/o_WvaKtXMFY

Aadaraya Nisa _ Rukmani Devi _ Old Sinhala Songs 2012 2013

https://youtu.be/aj3kxCwVNdY