Down memory lane with Tilak Perera

Chamikara Weerasinghe

Tilak Perera, vocalist and rhythm guitarist entered the music field in 1969 as a boy who was just out of school.

Tilak is still active in the music field and on a peaceful Sunday one will find him strunmming his six string box at

 Holy Emmanuel Church’s Sunday School, singing hymns with children after the the church’s service.

He works as a PRO at Oxford Garments, Univogue Group.

Tilak Perera remembered how he started his musical career. “It was with what you may call a random outfit or ‘ahindas’ band you just pick for the sake of doing something,” he said.

“I then teamed up with Super Jets as a vocalist. I was singing in both English and Sinhala for Super Jets. It was led by Priya Peiris,” he went on.

Tilak once sang Engelbert Humperdink hit “The Way It Used to” at a radio talent concert held by Radio Ceylon in 1968. The young artist was selected in the first round who was later disqualified by the organisers on the grounds that he sings with a band.

“The second band I joined was Paragon’s, another popular band from Moratuwa. I was learning to play rhythm guitar at this stage. This was an important stage of my musical career,” he reflected.

Tilak later joined Sparkling Shadows from Paragon’s. The Sparkiling Shadows changed its name to Diamonds with on the advice of eminent compere of musical events, Dr. Vijaya Corea in 1972.

The Diamonds cut four songs titled, Daya, Samanalaya, Andavu Siganna and Govirala in 1973. The four tracks were recorded at the Gypsies Studio at Ratmalana.

Tilak composed lyrics for three songs in that album. The fourth song, Govirala was composed by late lyricist Karunaratna Abeysekera.

The tracks were produced by Samarasinghe Brothers and Bambalapitiya Record Bar.

Musicians, Claude Fernando, Victor Dalugama, Rukshan Perera and Nimal Punchihewa backed the tracks.

Samanalayo, originally a duet by Diomond’s bassist Mahendra Ranasuriya and Preethi Fernando.

The song became a hit in the 70s. It was later sung by Nihal Fernando of NIRO, Rajiv Sebastian and by Tilak and Anuradha Mendis . Tilak Perera has performed in most of the tourist hotels in down South and also in Negombo. Tilak remembered playing at Ceysand Pontoon where they had to perform in a vast sailing boat in 1987.

“In 1987, Nihal Fernando started his one man band I am playing with him as a guest artist to this day,” said Tilak.

Hayasinth to sing at St. Mary’s

The girls of St. Mary’s Convent, Matara will celebrate the convent’s 100 years jubilee with a grand music festival on June 3, organised by its staff, Rev. sisters and past pupils.

Hayasinth Abeykoon , a past student of St.Mary’s Convent will hold a live concert on her maiden album, Epa Handannata at the festival.

The album was released about a five months back, which became a success with record sales.

The Convent’s Principal Rev. Sister Sandamali announced their plans to celebrate the 100 years Jubilee last week. The Convent’s former Principal Rev. Sr. Maxima was also present.