Deeply emotional ballad about social dignity and silent sacrifice in heartbreak.
Song Lyrics
කෙසේ කියන්නද
ඔබ මා අතහැර
ඉවත ගියා කියලා…
මගේ මුවින් මම
ලොවට කියා ඇත
ඔබ ගුණවත් කියලා…
කිසිවෙකු කිසිවිට
අදහන්නේ නැත
ඔබ වැරදිය කියලා…
ලොව මට එරෙහිව
දොස් පවරනු ඇත
මා වැරදිය කියලා…
සෙනෙහස බිඳුනද
මේ අවමානෙන්
ගැලවිය යුතු හින්දා…
මවිසින් ඔබ අත්
හලෙමියි පවසමි
ලොවටම ඇසෙන නියා…
Song Information
Song Title: කෙසේ කියන්නද (Kese Kiyannada)
Artist: Milton Mallawarachchi
Lyrics: Clarence Wijewardena
Genre: 70s Pop / Golden Oldies
Language: Sinhala
Release Year: 1970s
Song Summary
“Kese Kiyannada” is a timeless masterpiece by the legendary Milton Mallawarachchi, exploring the heavy burden of social perception following a breakup. The mood is one of quiet dignity and profound sadness. It portrays a narrator who had previously praised his partner’s virtues to the world, only to be abandoned by her. Now, facing the judgment of society, he grapples with the irony that the world will blame him for the failure of the relationship simply because he upheld her reputation so highly.
Song Meaning
The song functions as a poignant analysis of “saving face” and the sacrifice of one’s own reputation for the sake of a loved one’s dignity. The lyrics analyze the narrator’s dilemma: if he tells the truth—that she left him—no one will believe him because he spent so much time convincing everyone of her goodness. Themes of public versus private reality are central; to escape the “humiliation” (avamana) of being the one left behind, the narrator decides to tell a lie to the world—claiming that he was the one who ended the relationship. This tragic irony captures the essence of a man who, even in the face of betrayal, chooses a path that protects the image of the love he once cherished, even if it means bearing the world’s blame.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does the title “Kese Kiyannada” mean?
It translates to “How can I say?” or “How shall I tell?”, expressing the narrator’s inability to reveal the painful truth to society.
Who wrote the lyrics for this song?
The song was written by the “Father of Sri Lankan Pop,” Clarence Wijewardena, who was a frequent and legendary collaborator with Milton Mallawarachchi.
What is the “sacrifice” the narrator makes in the final verse?
To protect himself from the shame of being rejected and to resolve the conflict of his partner’s public image, he decides to tell everyone that he was the one who left her, essentially taking the “blame” for the breakup.
What era of Sri Lankan music does this belong to?
This belongs to the “Golden Era” of 1970s Sinhala pop, characterized by the smooth, deep vocals of Milton and the innovative musical arrangements of Clarence Wijewardena.