Sarasa Wasanthaya - Miyesi Suyamaya (Enthralling Spring – Splendid Musical Span), the Silver Jubilee of popular lyricist Nilar N. Cassim will be held at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI), Colombo 7, on September 7 at 5.30 pm under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena.
A high quality USB Flash Drive containing 100 compilation of his song will be launched during the event. This will be the first launch of a product in such a form in Sri Lankan history.A book and CDs containing his lyrics will also be launched.
Nilar has composed the songs included in the products from the early nineties up to now. Prof. J B Dissanayake, Saman Athaudahetti and Nadeeka Guruge will deliver speeches during the event.
Several popular vocalists such as Amarasiri Peiris, Edward Jayakody, Rukantha Gunatilleke, Chandralekha Perera, Uresha Ravihari, Bhathiya Jayakody, Santhush Weeraman, Umaria Singhawansha, Indika Upamali, Kasun Kalhara and many others will sing songs which have become hits with music enthusiasts. The music will be directed by Dr Rohana Weerasinghe.
Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) is the media sponsor of the event. It has been organised by the Sri Jayawardenepura University Alumni Association.
Cassim is the only Sri Lankan Muslim who holds a Sinhala Special Degree (From the University of Sri Jayawardenepura) and a Masters in Sinhala (from the University of Kelaniya). He has done yeoman service towards the arts and culture fields in the country. His role in literature and lyric writing is widely acclaimed by both local and foreign scholars. His name has gained fame by music lovers all over the world.
In addition to penning lyrics, Cassim had made a name as a reputed and prominent Sinhala announcer, a media personality, an author, a translator, a poet and a lecturer. He had won many awards and accolades for his literary work. He is the recipient of the Bunka Award 2007.
He had already released three books on lyrics, Pehesara Arunaka (In a bright morning), Kiri Kodu Hithata (Unspoilt mind) and Walakulu Viyan (Awning of clouds) and two classical books, Damila Kaviyehi Sri Lankika Salakuna – Jeyapalan (The Sri Lankan mark of Tamil poetry – Jeyapalan), Asalwesiyage Saahithya (Literature of the neighbour). He had authored two children’s books: Demala Hodiya (Tamil Alphabet) and Demala Huruwa (Get Familiar with Tamil). He has done three translations: Ardha Daruwa – Demala Ketikatha (Half Child – Tamil Short Stories), Sahodara Piyapath – Demala Kavi (Brotherly Wings - Tamil Poems) and Kurkhan Kala Sihinaya. He has a flair for writing scripts and had written scripts for popular shows such as Ridi Reyak, the Late Premasiri Kemadasa Commemoration Show (Handunagaththoth Oba Ma) etc.
Cassim was a visiting lecturer at Sripali Mandapaya of the Colombo University. He was also a member of the State Music Panel. He had also held the post of Commissioner of State Languages Commission. He functioned as the Director of the Mass Communication Course at Sri Lanka Television Training Institute (SLTTI) and also worked as a News Editor for SLRC. He is currently employed as an Executive Officer and a Deputy Director (Publicity and Media) of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC).
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