Burgher, Burgher

The story behind the song

Being Sri Lankan has always been a big part of who I am. Growing up in Australia, knowing I was part of something different helped anchor me through tough times. As an adult, I wanted to give something back to the community.

I started by talking to Sri Lankans about ideas, including an awards event inspired by the Asian Awards, which I’d helped launch in England. Somewhere in those conversations, I realised something important: my identity wasn’t just Sri Lankan. Sri Lankan identity has many facets, and mine was Burgher. That was something unique, something worth celebrating.

I built an early version of this website and tested it with family and friends. One idea that emerged was a song: something that could raise awareness, reach people beyond the community and bring Burgher culture to a wider audience.

So I wrote Burgher, Burgher, drawing on my memories of the storytelling baila songs I love. It’s not strictly kaffringha or traditional baila, but it draws on their character: a lively 6/8 rhythm, a big chorus everyone can join in with, and lyrics that tell a story with a light touch.

The old songs were raw and unfiltered, reflecting the world they came from. Burgher, Burgher tells a new story: that the Burghers, however small our community, are part of Sri Lankan history and culture, and deserve to be remembered.

With AI assisting in the musical production, I was able to bring my idea to life in a way I hadn’t imagined possible.

Baila is soulful music. I hope this song brings you the joy and urge to dance that we felt at parties growing up, and still feel today. And I hope it sparks a little curiosity about who we are, where we come from, and the culture we have to share.