There are no questions that Giddes Chalamanda’s Linny Ho! Is one of his masterpieces, as it won so many international covers after it went viral on social media.
And, it goes without saying that Lucky Stars’ Chinafuna Mbale is one of Malawi’s greatest wedding songs. In fact, if the song has not been performed at a wedding or engagement ceremony, that event is not yet over.
Such was the feeling when 95-year-old Chalamanda and Boniface Ndamera shared the stage at the inaugural Sound of Malawi Festival at the Nyambadwe Primary School ground in the populous Ndirande township last Sunday. Not to be outdone, Kasambwe Brothers Banda also showcased their songs at the festival propelled by the Jacaranda Cultural Centre and Alliance Francaise de Blantyre, the Blantyre City Council (BCC) and the Hen House Studios.
With afro-beat star Keturah rocking the stage with such songs as Mwana wa Amama and Waliko Makhala on the wings with his Moto Wayaka that is getting international rave reviews, it was these legends that patrons were looking forward to.
Also rocking the show were the Jacaranda African Ensemble and the Jaca Kids with authentic African songs and dance featuring traditional instruments, including jembe drumbs, visekese and xylophones.
The sundowner sorts climaxed when the two were side by side, Ndamera with his acoustic guitar and Chalamanda playing a banjo. When Ndamera did a rendition of Chinafuna Mbale, Chalamanda, fondly called Agide was the backing vocalist and when Chalamanda brought Linny Ho! and Akazi ndi Mawaya, Ndamera was the supporting act.
In separate interviews before the two took centre stage, both superstars thanked God for making music together since the 1970s when Agide was already making his name with recordings at the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation.
“I am now 95 and I thank God that I can still play music. Had it been that I was a footballer, I could have long hang up my boots. I composed Buffalo Soldier in 1974, while Bob Marley did it in 1978,” maintained Chalamanda.
On his part, Ndamera also praised God for the wisdom to bring to the world Chinafuna Mbale and other educative songs. “It can only be God who gave me the wisdom to compose that song, which has been getting international covers. Playing music from 10 to 81 is no small feat and performing before notable people like Gwanda Chakuamba, Orton Chirwa and Senior Chief Kuntumanji,” he observed.
For BCC deputy mayor Gerald Lipikwe, the coming of the two together at the inaugural show marked a milestone for Malawi’s commercial hub. “A lot of young people just hear their music, but have never seen them perform live. This is a rare occasion,” he said.
Added Lipikwe: “I am happy that our relationship with Jacaranda has reached this height. This is our way that the city residents preserve their culture through such acoustic sessions which are normally hosted every Thursday within the city. We need a healthy people to operate as a council.”
JCC director Luc Deschamps was equally happy to have the two share the stage in a show with American producers
“It makes me very happy to have it in the heart of Ndirande and patrons have come in their droves to witness this inaugural festival as we have been holding the acoustic sessions for 10 years now.
“Give meaningful entertainment and give joy, while also reminding Malawians that traditional music and culture is deep. We have producers from America who are curating Malawi music by artists like Ndamera and Chalamanda.”
Hen House Studios producer Harlan Steinberger who curated the show was equally elated, calling the festival great as it ‘accorded artists the chance to dish out their best’.
“I feel that this is music that is deep and it works well to combine traditional beats with modern genres to bring out something new. The two artists have a similar type of audience and their message is so deep, from which young people can learn artistic presentation,” said Steinberger.
