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| Sunday, 25 August 2002 |
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The latest addition to the sing-song trade, Kasun Kalhara Jayawardena, the 22-year-old vocalist has been in the lime light ever since his song `Ananthayata' was released. "Music has been a vital part of my life. Since the very beginning, music has been one of the things that has mattered to me," says the soft spoken singer. Keen eyed, Kasun says pensively, "My mother is Malini Bulathsinghala. H.M. Jayawardena, my father, is also a well known person from the Musice Scenare in Sri Lanka, and I have been having that touch throughout my life." Nurtured on music, Kasun, the only son of these two musicians has also decided to make music his career. "In the chilly green valley, So the tune goes... The hot melody everybody seems to be ga-ga over these days. "There was no particular reason behind the lyrics. No inspiration as such. It was a creation by Charitha Nidarsha Senadheera, my colleague, and I composed the music," says Kasun.Vishwa, Rukshan, Ranjith, Vajira, Mahinda Bandara and Jayantha Ratnayake are the others who are responsible for the lovely melody.
Back to his present life, he says, "I have been singing from the time I was a toddler and started composing, after my Ordinary Levels". Having been the star in many activities, he was `sort out' in school for his gift. "I used to sing at the Interact Installations and organised shows at Ananda College, my alma mater," He pauses... and I wait to hear the rest but he seems to have concluded. What does he think about music and singing? "Singing is an act that should be done with one's soul; It has to come from the heart. One might know the lyrics, have the talent, but if he doesn't feel what he is singing, and if it doesn't come from the heart, then it is not singing. It should come from deep within." So what about his Orchestra? "`THEe Musik', my orchestra was formed after I finished my Advanced Levels. Students from schools like Visakha, Anula, Royal, St. Peter's, S.Thomas' and students from places like Anuradhapura and Galle sing in the orchestra," beams the apparently well seasoned Kasun. "We did a show last year at the Lionel Wendt which was a two-day program. The first day was not so satisfactory, but the second day was definitely a hit," he says. "THEe Musik" consists of 20 members and it has been his labour all along. "My parents were behind me the whole time and it was not easy. We just had four months before the concert. And it was sheer determination, grit and obviously a passion for what we were doing," he says. According to Kasun, the Orchestra is a blend of both western and oriental music. "The newfangled music contain slots of blends," he says. Commenting on his favourite artistes he says, "I think Premasiri Kemadasa is a great musician who gives a unique definition to the work he does. And vocalists like Navaratne Gamage, Rohana Weerasinghe, Athula Adhikari, Samantha Perera, are a few people who contribute a considerable variety to their work and they come up with good creations." When asked to define a musician, he says, "A musician is a person who has talent to create and re-create things with whatever he has learnt," and claims, quite unabashedly, "I know that I can create and I am quite confident when I say so."
Kasun got through the first stage in the Sitar examination in 2000, at the `Bhath Khande' University of Laknow but due to various reasons has not been able to continue," A note of remorse... but the ensuing gruff silence is broken when a male figure that reminds one of a juvenile delinquent, (a decent one) appears at the door way. "Indrachapa Liyanage, who sings Ananthayata, with me. My nearest and the dearest friend who is always with me," Kasun grins and conducts the introduction. After a cross examination session, Indrachapa joins in the conversation. "I was in school with Kasun and we used to do shows together even back then. I guess we know each other inside out," says Indrachapa, who it transpires is the son of Hemasiri Liyanage, a well-known actor. Are they satisfied with their melody in, Haritha Nimnaye (Ananthayata)? "Yes, of course. It is overwhelming. But people should know the contents of the melody, too. There is no precise meaning in the lyrics, but a lot of hard work has gone into developing the balanced track," they recall. "We will be releasing our first Album, Ananthayata which is a blend of eastern and western music, in a couple of weeks time," they say. Any favourite tracks or artistes? "Yeah, John Denver's `Annies Song'. It is the way the tune goes and the way the artiste sings his heart out to the audience. There is power in those words and the diction, it's simply awesome," Kasun dotes over the track. Indrachapa joins in, "We both love the tune and Pavarotti, Yanni, Bryan Adams, Celine Dion and Aaron Neville are a few artistes who come out with good stuff." The originality of youth seems to be at its peak when it comes to this duo and the freshness of life and living is brimming big time. "Life keeps changing, it is like a mystery no one can foresee. But it is beautiful; contains both happiness and sorrow. I guess it teaches us to see beauty at bothersome moments. I have experienced both pain and joy during the 22 years I've been living," Kasun continues, "That is how I know that sometimes, a tear is the best shortcut to a smile." So what about love? "Well, love is equally beautiful and it feels good to be in love..." . Friends? Turning his gaze to Indrachapa, Kasun grins. "Friendship is all about love, trust and respect. Temper. "I am hot tempered, but I use that time constructively. I work really well when I'm angry and I sing in order to get over the issue." People jump for joy, they break down for pain, but there are exceptions that do neither. Are we to call them enigmatic or are they just being rational? |
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For the singer who is passionate about music and to whom music means so
much, fate hasn't been very kind. "My sister died 12 years back; then
it was my mother who died last year," he says , but adds, "I
don't talk about my personal life too much." That is it. Hint, don't
dig old wounds.
