This record label existed only during the period of 1938-44,” Ibrahim told us, adding that it was called the “SW Series” the album was released in blue, with the support of HMV Records and then (as well as now) Siedles Electronics. “All these children’s songs were recorded by Lanka Film Company Ltd. Ibrahim told us that Amarasinghe’s closest friend at the time was a well-known educator and principal of the Teachers’ College, U.G., and with his help, Amarasinghe was able to create a number of children’s songs. He later became the Principal Music Teacher of all teacher training schools in the country. He also composed school songs for colleges such as Horana Sripali and Galle Richmond, and taught music at Southlands Girls’ College in Galle Richmond College, Buddhist Girls’ College in Colombo, Girls’ High School in Kandy, and several other schools.
He was the first music teacher at Sripali Vidyalaya, Horana and the first to become a music teacher at a teacher training college in the country under the public service. Educated at the Shanti Niketan in India, he came to Sri Lanka in 1937 and began his career as a music teacher. The Morning Brunch spoke to Savitri Ibrahim, Amarasinghe’s daughter, in order to learn more about his service to the advancement of the music industry of Sri Lanka.īorn on 22 February 1904, Amarasinghe was an alumnus of Richmond College, Galle. Saranagupta Amarasinghe, a well-known musician in the country, composed and sang this very popular song, which is still recognised today. For example, there were instructive songs such as Regina Perera’s Komala Baby and Daru Velasanin Nagita sung in the 1930s, and Rukmani Devi and Prisila Opatha’s Mother’s Advice can be pointed out, but in the beginning of the 1940s, record companies began releasing a wave of children’s songs with easy-to-sing, simple, and sweet melodies for children to sing.īirds Fly with Joy, the Children Wake Up in the Morning is a very popular children’s song of the past and is still fondly remembered by our grandparents.