‘Kasade’: Piyal keeps the Gypsies’ legacy alive
View(s):By Sanath Weerasuriya
The Gypsies, regarded as one of the most influential and enduring musical groups in Sri Lanka’s popular music history, have returned to the recording scene with their latest Sinhala single, ‘Kasade’.
Premiered on August 22, 2025, the track is performed by current leader of the Gypsies Piyal Perera, features guest vocalists Falan Andrea and Dilmi Fernando, has already struck a chord with fans, amassing over 55,000 views on YouTube within its first week, reaffirming the group’s ability to remain relevant in a fast-changing music landscape.
The melody and musical arrangements for ‘Kasade’ were composed by Piyal Perera, carrying forward the Gypsies’ signature blend of contemporary sounds with a distinctly Sri Lankan sensibility. The lyrics were penned by the late Hemasiri Halpita, adding depth and emotion to the composition.
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- The fourth death anniversary of the late Sunil Perera, the iconic leader of the Gypsies, falls on Saturday, September 6.
The single was recorded at ‘Sense Studios’ by Manjula Bandara, while mixing and mastering were undertaken by Ranga Dassanayake at ‘Pearl Bay Studios’, ensuring a polished production that highlights both the vocal interplay and the rich instrumentation that has long defined the Gypsies music.
The musicians who contributed to the production of ‘Kasade’ include Ranuka Colambaarachchi on lead guitar, Lal Witiwala and Manju on drums, Ravi Terrence on keyboards and Susantha Kaariyakarawala on both mandolin and violin, joined by Ajith on violin. Nuwan Liyanage handled percussions, while special recognition goes to Nalin Samath for his lead guitar performance, which brings an added texture to the overall arrangement.
The Gypsies are now led by Piyal Perera, following the passing of his brother and the band’s legendary leader, Sunil Perera, on September 6, 2021.
The fourth death anniversary of the late Sunil Perera, the iconic leader of the Gypsies, falls on Saturday, September 6. While the family will mark the day with religious observances, the band will not stage any musical tributes during this period.
Sunil Perera, remembered as one of Sri Lanka’s most charismatic and commercially successful entertainers, passed away on September 6, 2021, just eight days before his 69th birthday.
The release of ‘Kasade’ stands as both a tribute to his enduring legacy and a reaffirmation of the Gypsies’ commitment to carry forward the musical journey he began. The song ‘Kasade’ stays true to the group’s signature catchy baila rhythm and marks the first new release by the band since last year. With its launch, the Gypsies are firmly back in the saddle, energising the live music circuit with performances at dances, weddings, concerts, and private events.
Reflecting on the band’s resurgence, Piyal noted, ‘It is really good to see the music industry getting back to its usual rhythm. The band is now on the move with many new ventures, events, gigs and concerts. There were a few overseas concerts during last year and several more are on the cards for 2025 and 2026. We hope everything will go smoothly for the entertainment industry’
The Gypsies remain the only band in Sri Lanka to sustain an unbroken presence in the music industry for over five decades, producing major chart-toppers across generations. With a vast and loyal fan base, they are perhaps among the very few bands worldwide to enjoy such remarkable continuity and popularity.
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