The Official tribute song for Muralidaran

For perhaps the first time in the game of cricket, a song has been officially composed and recorded as a tribute to a cricketing giant, Muttiah Muralidaran. The song, accompanied by a professional music video, was released to the world today.

Muttiah Muralidaran, or 'Murali' as he is affectionately known to millions of cricket enthusiasts, will now have another milestone and a real record (musically speaking) which is a song created, written and dedicated solely to him.

THE SINGER & THE SONG
The song has been written and sung by another Sri Lankan legend (in music), Alston Koch, now a naturalised Australian.

Alston is the only Sri Lankan-born singer song-writer to be signed to an international record label and have success in Australia,Asia and Europe with Platinum & Gold record status. Acclaimed as Asia's King of Pop in the late 70's when his hit song 'Disco lady' stood on the top of the charts for more than 8 weeks in three continents, he was also commissioned to write and perform the album for the America's Cup by the Australian syndicate 'THE KOOKABURRAS' who defended the cup for Australia.

Alston Koch's profile can be seen on: www.youtube.com/alstonkoch The song, already acclaimed by music critics as a classic, is being launched with the support of cricket website Cricinfo, the online home of cricket, and CD's can be purchased in Sri Lanka Cricket's official online shop - www.srilankacricketshop.com.

Part of the proceeds from the sale of the CD and DVD will be donated to the 'Foundation of Goodness', a Sri Lankan Charity run by Kushil Gunesekera, Muralidaran's manager and a few other Sri Lankan cricketers including Chaminda Vaas.

THE LEGEND
Ranked No 1 by the ICC official ratings for an unprecedented period of time, Murali now has the distinguished title of being the greatest wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket. Having won the admiration of one of the greatest cricketers of all time, Sir Donald Bradman, Muralidaran was reffered to as the 'David Copperfield of cricket' by another cricketing giant Steve Waugh.

The spin-wizard and spin-doctor was at his best once again mesmarising the English batsmen and has now taken more than 1000 wickets in both tests and one day matches...another record.

THE PRODUCTION
To write a song about a living legend was no easy task with months spent in the planning stages by the production team and the Muralidaran Management Team. It was finally recorded in one of the best recording studios in the world in Melbourne, Australia with award-winning conductor, arranger and producer Jarrad Gilson.

Jarrod Gilson believes it is one of the best tribute songs written and remarks that he now understands why triple Grammy award winner Alicia Keys introduced the singer Alston Koch to the World at a recent MTV awards ceremony as 'a legend and a superstar' as he is a dedicated and disciplined perfectionist.

A 'Bigger Than Ben Hur' music video has just been completed and includes footage from some of Muralidaran's greatest triumphs and live footage while the song was been recorded at Oatlands Studios in Melbourne.

The song is simply titled 'Murali'

The song will have three versions and one will be an authentic Australasian Dance Mix featuring some of the best Aboriginal didgeridoo players and musical instruments and ancient tribal chants from India to Afghanistan...Sri Lanka to Australia and cricket crowds from all over the world.

For more information contact: Kushil Gunasekera (Mob: 0777 322323)