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Similar Harshana Dissanayake, Kasun Kalhara, Nelu Adhikari, Amarasiri Peiris, Edward Jayakody | ||
Kottawa Iniyage Saman Thusitha Lenin Kumara (Sinhala: කොට්ටව ඉණියගේ සමන් තුසිත ලේනින් කුමාර) is a Sri Lankan vocalist, musician, and ethno-musicologist, better known as Saman Lenin. He is popular in Sri Lanka as an exponent of Sri Lankan folk music, and incorporates traditional folk tunes into his music. Despite a relatively short career in the music industry thus far, he has sung over 100 songs, and is considered by many to be one of the most talented folk artists in Sri Lanka.
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Childhood
Saman Lenin was born in the village of Kottawa, in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, where has spent much of his childhood. His name was the result of contributions from several members of his family, with his father naming him Lenin (as he was born of May 1, which is celebrated as International Workers' Day), after Vladimir Lenin, of whom he was an admirer.
He was introduced to folk music at a young age, when he witnessed his grandfather working in the paddy fields, while singing traditional folk songs.
Education
Saman Lenin received his schooling at St. Aloysius College in Galle, and was a student of Ethno-musicology at the University of the Visual & Performing Arts, in Colombo.
Career
Saman Lenin rose to prominence after contesting in Rajatha Rashmi, a musical contest organised by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.
He has gained popularity for his singing in a number of Sri Lankan teledramas, including the theme song for Kolamba Ahasa - for which he was awarded. He has also sung in the film Siri Parakum, directed by Dr. Somaratne Dissanayake, the song Ambaruwo, which became famous.
Saman Lenin has performed internationally twice, both times in Melbourne, Australia.
Songs
Pata Pata Dedunne Pata2015
Mama Malaka Ronata2013
Mahasen Thandavaya2014