M. S. Fernando

Mahagamage Samson Fernando, (; 4 March 1936 - 9 April 1994) was a Sri Lankan singer and musician. He is a major player in the development of Baila music and was widely popular among Sri Lankan audiences commonly referred to as the "Baila Chakkrawarthi" (Baila emperor).

Personal life Fernando was born on 4 March 1936 in Moratuwa to Laron Fernando and Lilee Gomes as the eldest child of the family. He attended St. Anthony's College, Wattala and Christ Church College, Dehiwela. He had three younger sisters and one younger brother.

Fernando was married to Tulin Fernando and they had seven children: Susil, Telina, Shantha, Sarath, Sujitha, Sujeewa and Sunimal. He also has 17 grandchildren.

Career Fernando studied under veteran musician J. A. Sathyadasa. He debuted as a singer with the duet, "Malak Kada Konde Gasala," done with Pushparani Ariyaratne. His first song in the field, "Sili Siliye Nava Suvandak," for the 1964 film Sasaraka Hati, sang with was also a success. Fernando would eventually lend his voice to over 150 films. He also pursued an acting career appearing in over 25 films and several teledramas, most notably Udagira.

While singing M.S Fernando also was working at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka at a middle class position.

Fernando received many accolades in his long career including the Golden Lotus Award presented by Sri Lankan President William Gopallawa in 1973 and over 159 silver trophies in various Baila contests he entered. He was able to sing in five languages and incorporated dancing into his act. Fernando performed in England, France, Australia, Canada, Singapore and Middle East to Sri Lankan audiences.

After 23 days of treatment at the hospital, he later made playback in the film Maruwa Samaga Vase directed by Titus Thotawatte and film Sasara by K.A.W. Perera.

The Sinhala Baila song Pissu Vikare (Dagena Polkatu Male) by H. R. Jothipala, Milton Perera, M. S. Fernando is a cover version of the Tamil song Dingiri Dingale (Meenachi) from the 1958 Tamil film Anbu Engey. And it was covered again in Sinhala as a folk song named Digisi/Digiri Digare (Kussiye Badu).

In solo singing, the majority of the songs sung by Fernando showcased his experience drawn from rural or urban life or the news of life, including the popular song Mama Taxikaraya. In the morning of his date of death, he attended a musical concert in the Jawatte, Colombo.

Filmography Year Film Roles Ref. 1964 Sasaraka Hati Playback Singer 1965 Yata Giya Dawasa 1965 Hathara Maha Nidhanaya Pavement Opportunist 1967 Iwasana Danaa Playback Singer 1967 Rena Giraw Playback Singer 1969 Oba Nathinam 1969 Mee Masso Playback Singer 1970 Dan Mathakada Playback Singer, Lyricist, Singer 1970 Athma Pooja Playback Singer 1970 Geetha Playback Singer 1970 Thevetha Playback Singer 1970 Penawa Neda Playback Singer 1971 Poojithayo Playback Singer 1971 Hathara Denama Surayo Playback Singer, Lyricist, Robert 1971 Samanala Kumariyo Playback Singer 1972 Adare Hithenawa Dakkama Playback Singer, M. S. 1972 Edath Suraya Adath Suraya Playback Singer 1972 Sujeewa Playback Singer 1972 Singapore Charlie Playback Singer 1972 Hithaka Pipunu Mal Playback Singer 1973 Sadahatama Oba Mage Playback Singer 1973 Hathdinnath Tharu Playback Singer, Himself 1973 Hondama Welawa Playback Singer 1973 Sinawai Inawai Playback Singer 1974 Kasthuri Suwanda Playback Singer 1974 Surekha Playback Singer 1974 Susee Playback Singer, Beach singer 1974 Sagarika Playback Singer 1974 Lasanda Playback Singer 1974 Vasthuwa Playback Singer 1975 Raththaran Amma Playback Singer 1975 Awa soya Adare Playback Singer 1975 Kohoma Kiyannada Playback Singer 1975 Amaraneeya Adare Playback Singer 1975 Lassana Kella Playback Singer 1975 Gijulihiniyo Playback Singer 1975 Damayanthi Playback Singer 1975 Sikuruliya Playback Singer 1975 Hadawathaka Wasanthaya Playback Singer 1975 Sangeetha Playback Singer 1976 Nayanaa Playback Singer 1976 Harima Badu Thunak Playback Singer 1976 Saradielge Putha Playback Singer 1976 Nedeyo Playback Singer 1976 Ran Thilaka Playback Singer, Singer 1977 Chin Chin Nona Playback Singer 1977 Chandi Putha Playback Singer 1977 Maruwa Samaga Wase Playback Singer 1977 Yakadaya Playback Singer 1978 Saraa Playback Singer 1978 Kundala Keshi Playback Singer, Migara 1978 Sasara Playback Singer 1979 Sarungale Playback Singer 1979 Muwan Palessa Playback Singer 1979 Hari Pudumai Playback Singer 1980 Tak Tik Tuk Playback Singer 1980 Seetha Playback Singer 1980 Doctor Susanthaa Playback Singer 1980 Sasaraka Pathum Playback Singer 1980 Raja Dawasak Playback Singer 1982 Sakvithi Suwaya Playback Singer 1983 Sasara Wasana Thuru Playback Singer 1983 Loku Thaththa Playback Singer 1988 Chandingeth Chandiya Playback Singer 1990 Pem Rajadahana Playback Singer 1990 Honda Honda Sellam Playback Singer 1992 Ranabime Veeraya Playback Singer 1993 Sergeant Nallathambi Playback Singer 2007 Hai Master Playback Singer