Nanda Malani, the celebrated Sri Lankan vocalist who shaped refined song for more than six decades, has passed away at her Nawala residence aged 82.
Nanda Malani, one of the most celebrated figures in Sri Lankan refined song, has passed away at the age of 82, family sources have confirmed.
The veteran vocalist and Pandit Dr. died at her residence in the Nawala area, marking the end of an extraordinary musical career that spanned more than six decades.
Born on August 23, 1943, in Lewanduwa village, Aluthgama, Nanda Malani was the fourth child in a family of nine.
Her natural ability to sing emerged at a young age. She studied at Colombo Sri Gothami Maha Vidyalaya, where music teacher T.N. Margaret recognised her talent and helped guide her musical development.
A major turning point came through Karunaratne Abeysekara’s popular “Lama Pitiya” or Children’s Corner programme. Her performance of “Buddha Sadu” on the programme became widely popular.
Then, in 1961, she entered film playback singing with “Galana Gangaki Jeevithe” for the film “Ranmuthu Duwa”.
Nanda Malani later earned a Visharada degree in music from the Bhatkhande Music Institute in Lucknow, India. She went on to enrich Sri Lanka’s music industry for more than six decades.
Through celebrated concert series including “Sathyaye Geethaya” or The Song of Truth and “Pawana” or The Wind, she brought social justice and humanitarian themes into her music.
That work earned her widespread respect as an artist deeply connected to the experiences and emotions of the Sri Lankan people.
Throughout her career, Nanda Malani received numerous local and international honours. These included 11 Sarasaviya awards for Best Playback Singer and eight Presidential awards.
Her death represents an irreplaceable loss to Sri Lanka’s arts community and the nation as a whole.
Details regarding her final rites will be announced in due course.
