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| Sunday, 24 November 2002 |
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Manilal still continues to enjoy success. A vibrant and versatile singer with a vocal range that's elastic, his halcyon days were when he led his band Manilal and Upekha for a period of six successful years from 1985 before he decided to go solo. He will be off to Italy for the festive season to enchant the Italians with his powerful performances. Name: Manilal Jerome Perera Fav colours: Black or white. I love these two colours. I feel good when I'm dressed in these colours. Trendy outfit: I like to dress to suit the occasion. Basically I'm comfortable in jeans and tee shirts. Hairdo's: I keep up with the vogue in hairdo's. Spiky, short, I even had long hair when that was in fashion. Fav music: I sing pop, country, jazz and I cater to a varied audience. Rock is my favourite type of music. I was a rock singer in Germany for two years and the only Sri Lankan musician I met at that time, I'm talking of '79, was Ramesh Weeratunga. He was leading a band at that time and I am proud of him and his achievements. Here in Sri Lanka I was a band leader for eighteen years - the bands being Rendezvous and Manilal and Upekha. Fav song of the '80s/'90s: I admire Freddie Mercury and Queen. Mercury's songs were classics. Take 'Bohemian Rhapsody' it is an all time classic. As a singer I like all the music of these era's. Why aren't you leading a band now: I find it easier to belong to the music scene, the way I am now. I took an interesting gig in the Maldives where I performed on a 100-roomed cruise ship. I enjoyed it. I sang with a group Nashid and Mohoj, they were the pioneers in western music in the Maldives. How do you reject advances from girls: I don't. I can't resist them. Are you superstitious: No I'm not. I don't believe in Friday the 13th. Pet hate: Gossip. I've been a victim of it. They couldn't come to the conclusion whether I'm hetro, or homo. What makes you happy in life: Music makes me happy. Take music away from me and I'm dead. When I am on stage that's the best time for me. I like people enjoying my music and that makes me happy. Also my children. I look forward to being with them. Where would you like to be most now: In Italy. I have my fans there. I will be singing there for the Christmas season and New Year's Eve. My girl friend is in Italy - she is an artist holding a Phd in art and literature. I met Claudia in the Maldives and we could hit it off together. What other profession would you like to be in: Looking back now it would have been an engineer in motor mechanics. I was working at Rowlands when I was young and enjoying it, but I preferred singing to being a grease monkey. What's your meaning of life: To live a full life until you die and never have any regrets. Because tomorrow will never come. What would you do if you ruled the world: I'd give all women, whatever nationality, more rights than what they have now. Which product would you like to most endorse: Cars. The luxury sports cars and clothes too especially Italian clothes. I think the Italians set the trend globally. Fav cartoon characters: The Thornberrys Which character would you like to play in a film: The role of a decent familied man. That will suit me for a change. If in true life I can't do it! What were your influences: The music of Bon Jovi, Three Dog Night, Blood Sweat and Tears, Deep Purple, Doobie Brothers and Led Zeppelin. Here in Sri Lanka I idolized Raj Senewiratne and Maxi Rosairo. Have you never moved into composing originals: I did one time for my band Rendezvous. Derek Wickramanayake and I put it together. But the sad part of it was then originals were not accepted or recognised. It was only covers. Now there's a turn-around and they are accepting originals. What is the key to be a successful singer: The amount of dedication one puts into it. I was determined to succeed. I was once paid Rs. 12/50 for a gig but that didn't bother me. You have to give your one hundred per cent to your career. That dedication is absent today. As a band leader I can see it. You cannot do it as a hobby - you have to work hard to find success. You need to train your voice to continue for long spells. Future plans: I want to come back to my roots always and perform for my friends and fans. |
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