Nihal Nelson – King of Baila Bids Adieu

If there is one singer in Sri Lanka who was such a daredevil to go for all kinds of experimental music, thrive in Baila, give electrifying performances on stage and always sing the most appealing and meaningful lyrics, that should be Nihal Nelson. His genre was not the ‘norm’. Perhaps he was not really considered a part of the inner circle of the elite musicians. Some may have chosen to ignore his brilliance. But Nelson was a gentle ‘Black Sheep’ in the Sri Lankan music arena. Even today, will we find someone to do at least 50 per cent justice to his songs giving the same flair? Just for the fun of it or as a mere experiment one should try singing Kiri Dunne Daruvantai or Thaan Theen Thilaka Nadin. Then we would realise the enormity of this loss and moan the irreplaceable singer who is no more.

Born on 9 January 1946 in Moratuwa, Nelson started school at Rawathawatta, Roman Catholic College and went on to join Moratuwa Maha Vidyalaya. He was known to have later followed Pali and Sanskrit at the Polytechnic, Wellawatta. Even as a child, the young Nelson knew singing was to be his passion. It is said that at the age of 16 he wrote his first song and composed it himself. He performed the same at a wedding in Moratuwa. A. J. Careem, the music director for the event, was impressed by this talent. It was Careem who introduced Nelson to the celebrated musician R. A. Chandrasena. There began a story which continued for generations.

“Nelson came to my father, the great music maestro Chandrasena, to get himself trained in music. This was the early 1960s, when Chandrasena composed and directed music for the shows held at the Kandy Lake Club. My father did shows called Chathurangani, Panchangani and Lalithangani. These were held at the Viharamahadevi Park and a ticket was a mere one rupee. It was my father who composed Lassanata Pipuna Vanamal for Nelson. He is a simple person with a strong sense of gratitude. Not many musicians talk about their past or their humble beginnings. But Nelson was far different. Meeting Nelson at the funeral of his wife, he spoke with so much love and gratitude to my father,” said Darshini Chandrasena, musician and the youngest daughter of Chandrasena Master.

“Nelson introduced me to others saying it was because of Chandrasena that he became this celebrated singer.” Darshini still remembers how Nelson, Victor Rathnayake, Punsiri Soysa and Danapala Udawatta used to sleep on one mat at their place, having gone for the shows done by her father. Her father’s tune did make Nelson bloom into a singer and we still sing the same song with the same zest. Talented and full of zest and vigour Nelson came a long way, winning the hearts of listeners of many generations.

His talent was fuelled by his passion. He was also lucky to have come across the best teachers. But the most beautiful thing about Nelson was that he was not selfish. He recognised budding singers and showed them the way. Veteran singer Punsiri Soysa spoke to us about Nelson. “I have known him from the time I was at Prince of Wales College. Nelson was senior to me in class. Nelson reigned the Baila arena as an uncontested king. Yet, he was selfless enough to guide me, take me to Master Chandrasena. That learning and guidance was what shaped me to be what I am today.” Soysa said.

He added that Nelson is definitely the one star who came after the title, King of Baila. “It is no easy feat to claim the crown of Baila because no matter how talented you are in music, this is a very different genre to handle. Acing it is evidence of his sheer brilliance. Be it Baila or a normal song, what we call ‘sarala gee’, plus his performances at public concerts, Nelson was a star. I find it difficult to imagine a concert without Nelson,” he said in an unmistakable tone of melancholy.

“I wish him eternal peace,” he added.

By Priyangwada Perera