Baila - The Popular Srilankan Music of the Islands

Baila term was derived from Portuguese verb 'bailar' that means 'to dance'. The Father of Baila in Srilanka was known as Wally Bastian. Baila was established by Portuguese traders in the 16th century during the Sri Lanka's colonial rule. The original community of Baila singers are the mixed community of Portuguese traders, slaves they brought from the western coast of Africa, and native Sri Lankan communities. Baila music is a cultural interchange between local musicians and Portuguese music influence.

Baila is influenced by eastern and western European instruments and rhythms found in Spain and northern European fork music. Baila adapted the 6/8 'kaffirhina' rhythms with Sinhalese lyrics. In the 1970s, Baila grew out of musician M.S. Fernando and Maxwell Mendis. Baila music had grown to a recognized and respected popular music style in Srilanka. Kaffirhina music style also referred as '6/8 time' uses bongo drums, violin, mandolin, box guitar and honky tonk piano and also uses electric guitar, synthesizer/workstation keyboards, octapad and drum kit.

Baila music, though popular as a folk art for centuries in the country was introduced to Sri Lanka's mainstream during the early years of the 1960s when singer Wally Bastian (who was also a police officer), began adapting the 6/8 'kaffirhina' rhythms to accommodate Sinhalese lyrics. By the 1970s, owing largely to the contributions of musicians MS Fernando and Maxwell Mendis, Baila had grown to become a recognized (and respected) style of Sri Lankan popular music.

Baila music is very popular in Srilanka and often heard during parties, school reunions, hotel concerts, charity dinner dances, and weddings. Often Baila adapted themes derived from Srilankan colonial history and folklore.

There are two sub-genres of Srilankan Baila music such as Chorus Baila (typical baila songs) and Waada Baila (typically a contest between several Baila singers). In Waada Baila contestants are given topics by a judge and they compose during a few minutes the lyrics for the specific Baila rhythm. Marks are given based on meaningfulness, smooth flow, and rhythm.