Mignonne Fernando
Encyclopedia
Introduction
Having won Radio CeylonRadio Ceylon
Radio Ceylon is the oldest radio station in Asia. Broadcasting was started on an experimental basis in Ceylon by the Telegraph Department in 1923, just three years after the inauguration of broadcasting in Europe.- Edward Harper :...
's Talent Contest at the age of seven, a year later she wrote her first music composition. Her father. Arnold Rutnam, was renowned for his mathematical skills, and her mother, Marie was a devoted and much loved teacher of music.
As a student of St. Bridget's Convent, Colombo 7, Mignonne scored First position in her class throughout, except the one term when she took ill and was placed second. She participated in Theatre Productions and played Goal for the School Netball Team with equal enthusiasm.
Her interest in Law was overtaken by her passion for Music, and thanks to her mother, she received formal training in Western Classical Music, Speech and Drama. This proved to be her greatest strength and an excellent foundation to her musical career that was to follow.
"Her firsts in the history of popular music in Sri Lanka and her many musical achievements internationally have proved that Mignonne is a rarity by any standard.”
Carl Myatt - South China Morning Post
The early years
In 1965, Mignonne along with her group The Jetliners became an instant success under the excellent guidance of Manager/Husband Tony Fernando; and their popularity grew from strength to strength, wherever they performed. Radio CeylonRadio Ceylon
Radio Ceylon is the oldest radio station in Asia. Broadcasting was started on an experimental basis in Ceylon by the Telegraph Department in 1923, just three years after the inauguration of broadcasting in Europe.- Edward Harper :...
,introduced her music not only to a local audience but right across South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
. During the early years Mignonne Fernando and the Jetliners enjoyed star billing at the Coconut Grove nightclub situated in the Galle Face Hotel
Galle Face Hotel
The Galle Face Hotel, founded in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1864, is the oldest hotel east of Suez. It is located at 2, Galle Road, Colombo 03. The Ceylon Hotels Corporation is now part of the Galle Face Hotel Group. The hotel is a member of Select Hotels and Resorts International. The current chairman...
in Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
.
In 1969 she became the first Sri Lankan to be signed up by EMI Records UK, and Keith Prowse Music London. The Ceylonese 'Wedding
Wedding
A wedding is the ceremony in which two people are united in marriage or a similar institution. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes...
Song' (Mangala Mohotha) was her first song to be copyrighted by KPM.
Her song "Love don't let me down" won the Embassy Award at the World Popular Song Festival where renowned composers and artistes the world over are invited to submit compositions. Of over 1,200 entries, only 10 were selected to be eligible for the award. Another original composition "Someday my love" won the Matsushita Award and Special Jury Award for Composer and Performer at the Festival of Song.
A Sinhala composition "Oba Nisa" was selected for the Finals of the 5th Olympiad of Song in Athens, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
where it won the Gold Medal. "Coconut Man" made the finals of the World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. This made her the only Woman Composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
/ Performer to date to have been selected into the finals.
See also
- Galle Face HotelGalle Face HotelThe Galle Face Hotel, founded in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1864, is the oldest hotel east of Suez. It is located at 2, Galle Road, Colombo 03. The Ceylon Hotels Corporation is now part of the Galle Face Hotel Group. The hotel is a member of Select Hotels and Resorts International. The current chairman...
- List of Sri Lankan musicians
- ColomboColomboColombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
- Radio CeylonRadio CeylonRadio Ceylon is the oldest radio station in Asia. Broadcasting was started on an experimental basis in Ceylon by the Telegraph Department in 1923, just three years after the inauguration of broadcasting in Europe.- Edward Harper :...
- Sri Lanka Broadcasting CorporationSri Lanka Broadcasting CorporationThe Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation came into existence on January 5, 1967 when Radio Ceylon became a public corporation. Dudley Senanayake who was the Prime Minister of Ceylon in 1967 ceremonially opened the newly established Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation along with Minister Ranasinghe...