All Time Revolutionary
Songs of BNS
Bathiya and Santhush, also known as BNS, consisting
of Bathiya Jayakody and Santhush Weeraman are a Sri Lankan pop duo widely
recognized as the most significant musical brand in Sri Lanka.
In the
post-Covid 19, as all of us are trying to adjust ourselves to the new normal,
and with all of us just trying to start off where we left, trying to be
productive 24/7, but with stress and anxiety clouding our mind in these
uncertain times, we are desperately searching for an outlet.
Luckily
for all of us, BNS have organized the first ever Drive-In Concert
experience in Sri Lanka on the 30th of May 2020. Whilst awaiting eagerly for
that, we thought it’s as good as any time to recap with All-Time revolutionary BNS
songs, and take you down the memory lane. By the way, these are just our
personal favourites. Check them out and do let us know your favourites as well.
So here we go.
Manusath Kule
Though, initially “Manusath Kule”
was at the receiving end of enormous amount of criticism due to its unusual
blend of traditional Sri Lankan sound and a western touch, it gained a widespread
acclaim across the world and an acceptance across Sri Lanka for its musical
brilliance, after the fabulous performance of this song by BNS at the
“Kazakastan-Voice of Asia 2001” wins them their first international award.
As a nation which appreciates all
good things in life, and celebrates all achievements, we feel that BNS has
dedicated this song to illustrate this optimistic mindset of Sri Lankans.
Mage Diviya
Written and composed by Bathiya
Jayakody, “Mage Diviya” is the first ever Sri Lankan Rap. Also considered as
the Sri Lankan comeback to all the Western raps the Sri Lankan youth were eagerly
embracing at that time, “Mage Diviya” is sung with all the swag and the hyped
up energy that forms the basis of any good rap.
The Sinhala rap mixes became an integral part
of the BNS music, after they converted the popular “Noorthy Nadagam Gee”, “Siri
Sangabodhi Maligawedi”,composed by the honoured playwright the late Sir John De
Silva, into a bilingual rap mix. “Sangabodhi”, which also marks the
introduction of the popular Sri Lankan rapper Randhir Witana into the Sri
Lankan music industry, is now by far their most popular Sinhala rap of all
time.
Life in the New Millennium
A bilingual song sung with a
Sinhala rap back when Sinhala raps were a novelty, “Life in the New Millennium”
goes on to predict (and that too quite accurately we must say) climatic changes
which are sure to befall upon if we go on this disastrous path, at a time when
even the so-called developed countries failed to grasp the enormity of
destruction we, as a whole were causing. Whilst welcoming the new millennium,
it further goes on to wonder whether a drastic end is in sight unless human
kind learn to live in harmony with nature, and urges us all to take a giant
leap in that direction. Essentially, we were the first generation to know that
we are destroying our planet. So during this post- quarantine period we invite
you to listen to this amazing song and to take some time to ponder those lyrics
and wonder how a song sung nearly two decades ago at the start of this
millennium was able to capture the gravity of it all.
The youth in Sri Lanka at the
time when BNS started were eager for a fusion of western and Sri Lankan music
due to never quite identifying themselves with either of the opposing ends of
the Spectrum. “Manusath Kule”, “Mage Diviya”, “Sangabodhi” and “Life” seemed to
be the magical solution they had been searching for.
Ran Kurahan Mala – Na Na Ne Na
Probably the first Folkhop song
in Sri Lanka, “Na na ne na” creates a mixture of delight with its introductory
melody derived from Sri Lankan folk songs (janakavi), and the lyrics
encompassing some of the most beautiful words of the Sinhala language whose
meaning cannot be exactly grasped by words of any other language. The
fast-paced beat and the overall catchiness of this song altogether explores the
simplicity, beauty and the prosperity of the farming nation that is Sri Lanka. The lyrics on its own are probably the hardest
a pop song has ever had but “Na Na Ne Na” is that song which all 90’s kids of
Sri Lanka grew up listening to, a one too many times, that every time you hear
the song, you recognize the first guitar chords and instantaneously,
automatically you start humming up the lyrics on your own.
Shaheena
“Shaheena” as a song becomes very
special in that as it comprises of lyrics from three languages, Sinhala,
English and Arabic of which Arabic is not a national language of Sri Lanka. “Shaheena”
further has the honour of being the song which introduces the Sri Lankan
singing sensation Umara Sinhawansa to the Sri Lankan music industry. The lyrics
speaks of a tale of flirtation between the woman Shaheena and the singer, the
delicate appeal of a glance from beneath the lashes, the feelings of love
delicately hidden like the face covered behind a veil, eyes communicating an
admiration never to be confessed, and the societal norms opposing the very idea
of this tale growing into something more.
Or of course this could be just
BNS giving us tips on flirting during social distancing; you never know.J
Yalpaname
The first collaboration of Sri
Lankan artists with the Indian Music Industry featuring popular artist
Hariharan, “Yalpaname” was an artistic endeavor seeking a smooth transition for
a nation desperate to rebuild broken bonds of trust as a result of a war which
had its roots in an ethnic conflict and nearly spamming over a period of 3
decades.
It appears that BNS is vying to
get a message across that all of us at our base are humans and therefore equal
in all respects regardless of any barriers we’ve created among ourselves, in an
upbeat and catchy song. This memorable song should definitely be sung more in
BNS Live Concerts as it contains a message that is timeless.
“Dedunna Sedi” with Asha Bhosle, “Achale”
with Sonu Nigam and “Neththara” with Bonny Chakraborthy are some of the other
popular collaborations of BNS with Indian artists.
Naeno
“Naeno” is probably the reason
that the “Sara Sihina” concert series was such a hit, introducing an innovative
dancing act designed specifically for the song performed wearing the
traditional sarongs, presenting a type of entertainment never seen before to
the Sri Lankan concert stage.
Compared to any other romantic
relationship Naena-Massina (is usually the relationship between a lady and her
first male cousin/brother of her sisters husband) is the Sri Lankan relationship,
that is fun and approved and which has the least cultural restraints in terms
of flirting, but it is also an unspoken duty to be respectful and to stay
committed to each other. But “Naeno” hilariously presents to the audience an
unforeseen yet possible turn of events where the Naena vouches to leave the
Massina for a better man shedding light on a completely different perspective
to the said Naena- Massina relationship. The energetic performance with the
popular chirpy beats characteristic of the BNS music further portrays the Sri
Lankan woman as was seen by the Sri Lankan society, strong in her decisions and
accepted for who she is.
Sebala Puthu
Written by Major General Kamal
Gunaratne, and composed jointly by Bathiya Jayakody and the popular new
generation artist Dhanith Sri this song is dedicated to the soldiers who fought
to defeat terrorism during the 30 year old ethnic war in Sri Lanka.
It is not a secret that Sri
Lankan government forces were blamed across the world for the abuse and
violation of human rights, post the defeat of terrorism. However, Bathiya
Jayakody, son of the late Major General Nihal Jayakody, in an introduction to
this song highlights a different opinion and assures that this was not the
case, quoting that the forces were always urged to capture and rehabilitate
rather than kill and emphasizes that it was a humanitarian operation in
essence.
In this context, “Sebala Puthu”
is created as an appreciation of the soldiers who fought against a division of
our motherland Sri Lanka in the arms of terrorists, even without a single plot
of land in it to themselves, and risking their own lives to protect the lives
of all civilians(irrespective of their differences).
“Sebala Puthu” highlights all the
unseen, untold and unfelt hardships the soldiers had to endure, and the loss of
limbs, friends, lives these men in the prime of their lives had to face, and
ends up bringing a tear to the eyes, an ache to the heart and also an immense
feeling of gratitude towards these guardians of our motherland.
During the quarantine of 2020, which
was imposed as a measure of safety to battle the global pandemic Corona virus,
Sri Lankan forces have again stood up to the challenge fearlessly, converting a
large number of army camps into quarantine centers, diligently patrolling the
streets to discourage curfew breakers and once again risking their very lives
to protect others. Also taking the initiative to entertain the citizens stuck
at home, as a means to dispel their mental stress, the tri forces and the
police have indeed made us wonder at their immense self-sacrifice and love they
harbor for the people of our country.
Lassana Desak, Saragi Asille, Gassna Dangamalla and Roosara
"Lassana Desak” was that
song through which BNS pioneered the introduction of the concept of a realistic
visualization of a futuristic world through Robotics and Artificial
Intelligence to the Sri Lankan music video industry.
We now see the evolution of this
trend which includes robotic CGI effects in some of the popular hits of their
newest album “Oba Nisa – White Edition”; such as “Gassana Dangamalla” and its Tamil
collaboration with Sri Lankan R&B and Hip hop artist Dinesh Kanagaratnam
aka ADK titled “Wassama” and “Saragi Asille” (a collaboration with Umaria
Sinhawansa and Sanuka Wickramasinghe).
The live performance of “Roosara”
(a single from the same album “Oba Nisa”) brings this trend a step forward with
its signature hyped up robot dance movements and special light and sound
effects and for all its worth, looks like a music video in itself.
Hope you enjoyed the little trip down the memory
lane. So here’s wishing that when and if you get a chance to be a part of this
experience in the security of your vehicle, may the love and sheer joy felt
back when you first heard these songs, help you face this post-Covid period
with strength, gratitude and hope. And if you don’t, you can always enjoy a BNS
song/concert marathon in the security of your home.
Love,
Lazuli.
Since lyrics are protected by the Sri Lankan Copyright
Law under the Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003, we have not included
the lyrics of these amazing songs. We have however, included links directing to
the official You Tube videos. Have a look and enjoy!
Like, Comment, Share and keep a lookout for our blog for
more of such content.
Copyright ©26.05.2020 14:50(IST) +0530 UTC Lazuli
