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| Sunday, 30 March 2003 |
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by Umangi de Mel Tey shake the floors at the Golden Clef Awards. They are on stage to entertain the crowd and the crowd goes wild with their hip-moving, toe-tapping music, then they walk up on stage for the second time and they do it once again. Yes, they grab the award for the `best fusion artiste'... and the crowd goes bonkers with shrill cheers that seem to never end. "For us it's not just one award but three, Nevanthi's , Ashanthi's and ours. We've always been together as one, assisting each other and we've never had unpleasantness," says Bathiya. After getting two awards abroad, the group's quite satisfied about getting an award at home. "It's been four years of performance and finally we've received some acceptance from the local western music industry," he says. They say that it was exciting. Especially where people who don't accept their music are concerned, the bunch says that it was a huge achievement to receive the award. "The Sri Lankan so called up market musicians pine to put forth a patriotic image yet they are reluctant to accept the fact that they like the kind of music we do," says Santhush. Did they expect to win? "Well, with regard to fusion music, we thought we'd stand a chance of winning as we felt that we have done a reasonable amount of fusion music," they admit. Nevanthi nods in agreement and says that winning is like another form of acceptance. "For us it's a sense of achievement," says Bathiya. The group says that their objective has right along been producing music which could compete with the world music industry and to create the kind of chemistry that is required. "You get different segments of music in the society but we hardly have local music that can compete with the global market. We have produced that kind of music with global flavour," says a proud Santhush. Speaking about their work, they say that it's awesome to see people who haven't even heard of Sri Lankan music rocking their guts out to their stuff. Has the awards changed anything for them? "No," they reply. "Our path has always been different. We've always taken chances trying to take something Sri Lankan, out of the country. And that's quite a difference compared to the other musicians in Sri Lanka," they continue, "Nevertheless, the awards have made us feel quite encouraged. As they prove that people believe in our music." Santhush feels that Sri Lankans have the capacity to do good stuff. He points out that some of the local musicians are talented than those of neighbouring countries. "We can rock any crowd with the kind of talent that is abundant in the Sri Lankan youth." How did they celebrate? "The entire band went and had a casual dinner," says Bathiya. Taking turns to talk about both pros and cons of the show, the dynamic duo says that the Golden Clef had been an excellent show with a good scoring. " Yet the sad part is people who do cover versions getting awards. Those are globally famous tunes. It's piracy and when you acknowledge the people who play what's not ours, eventually the youth too, gets directed in the wrong path," thay say adding that it's high time the the local western music arena changed. They feel that our artistes lack authenticity. "We need to change our approach and directions. The industry should concentrate on doing our own stuff," they point out. They feel that the creative aspect of the industry has to improve. "The awards encourage musicians to make youth to go in a certain direction which unfortunately didn't happen," they say but add, "It's absolutely great to revive the show yet you've got to nourish the creative angle of music in Sri Lanka." They believe that we follow the path that have been there for years which didn't take the Sri Lankan music anywhere out of the country. "Whatever said and done, time management, planning and organising were superb," says Santhush thanking the organisers as it's been the very first time they got an award in Sri Lanka. The oriental music industry has never thought of a proper awards ceremony, we thank the Golden Clef for making us part of the show," he doesn't forget to add. The group says that they look forward to seeing much more Sri Lankan oriented creative stuff which have the touch of global music. "We feel Sri Lanka is the best and it has so much to offer the world," says Santhush. Commenting on the warfare that goes on between the young and old musicians in the industry, they say that it's pointless going behind another person's beliefs. "We need to know who we are and believe in our potential. Because right now, it revolves around this thing called `identity crisis'. Especially the Sri Lankan youth who lack the cool and hippie culture. As a result they go behind Craig David and co..," says Santhush. Having been to places, the group feels that our musicians lack confidence to admit their identity unlike the Indians who are ever so confident of being Indians. "We haven't formed that particular chemistry but we have got to find that identity which is Sri Lankan and which has a global appeal," B & S say. "It's the same with the masses which is why they go behind hindi culture," Has the industry improved? They say that it has definitely improved from the point of view showbiz but its the creative aspect that is diddly. "The standard of the musician has really gone down." They think the up and coming bands are doing great. Giving a little piece of advice to the youth, S&B say that they need to combine creativity with the technological aspect, "Technology and creativity go hand in hand unlike the 40s, 50s and 60s stuff. Therefore they need to be updated," says Bathiya. Santhush feels that the rock bands have revived the industry. "Five years back it was almost dead but now it's really happening," How do they feel being part of a successful band? "There's a huge difference from the days we had to clean and scrub the floor of our office, we've come a long way. Now we're award winners," chortles Nevanthi. "B&S is a certain belief of a journey we want to travel. It's become a life style, for us," Bathiya says. "We want to pump in energy to our crowd to go out to the world and say `hey, I'm proud to be Sri Lankan', that's our goal," adds Santhush. ************* 'Phenomenal' By Farah Macan Markar - An up coming or shall I say as the award reads out, the ' Promising Singer of the Year', Nevanthi Peires is a figure coming into play with popular figures in the western music industry such as Bathiya and Santhush and Diliup Gabadamudalige. Performing with B & S and singing with Diliup in Colombo's many five star hotels Nevanthi Peires has established a name for herself as the 'Promising Singer of the Year' in the Golden Clef Awards 2002. Here is a window glimpse of this talented promising young woman. Q:- What was it like winning? Nevanthi:- It was totally unexpected. Overwhelming. It's made a change in my life as a singer. People notice me more now, and keep pointing out "See that girl. She won an award". Q:-How was the show? Nevanthi:- The organising was really good. Everything on stage happened like clockwork. Even backstage people had time to talk and be calm. Q:-What do you think about the western music industry in Sri Lanka? Nevanthi:- It's building up. It is much better than it was a few years ago. It has grown a lot. There are a lot of new bands coming up. Q:-What's it like working with Diliup? Nevanthi:- Working with him is very interesting. He's a professional. At first sight he looks strict and stern but in reality he is a total nutcase and simply cool. He's fun to work with. Q:-How do you coordinate with each other? Nevanthi:- Coordinating with Diliup is easy for we understand each other's ways. When it comes to music we can kind of read each other's minds. It's telepathic. We blend together perfectly. Q:-What's it like performing in the hotels? Nevanthi:- It's interesting. Some places are more interesting than others. We shock a lot of foreigners who come to Sri Lanka. Show them what we've got. Q:-What's it like performing with Bathiya and Santhush? Nevanthi:- Great. Fun. We are like one big family. All of us are more or less the same age so we click together well. Q:- Anything special you are working on at the moment? Nevanthi:- Yes. I am working on my first solo album with Diliup. It should be out in July. He is doing the lyrics and the music. I will be doing the vocals and harmony. Q:- What's it like when your on stage performing? Nevanthi:- It is the greatest feeling ever. Specially when everyone is clapping and cheering. Q:- How would you describe what you do? Nevanthi:- Exciting Q:- What are you like as a person? Nevanthi:- Too calm. I stay calm even in situations in which people expect me to panic. My friends think it's abnormal. Q:- So er..who is Nevanthi Peires? Nevanthi:- Nevanthi Peires? She is that really nice voice you hear in the Bathiya and Santhush CD. Q:-How would you sum up the golden Clef in one word? Nevanthi:- Phenomenal ************ 'Excellent
performance' By Farah Macan Markar - Twenty two year old Ashanthi de Alwis clinched the Golden Clef Song of the Year Award with her brand new track "Angel" which featured in her "Ashanthi and Ranidu" CD. Getting it from the previous time award winner Sunil Perera himself, whom she calls "Uncle Sunil" Ashanthi took the stage by storm during the show itself performing for the first time in public with her mother Antoinette "When you believe". Want to know what Ashanthi has to say about all this and more? Read On. Question:- What was it like winning the award? Ashanthi:- It was a big surprise. I wasn't expecting it at all. It felt like a big achievement specially as I got the award from Uncle Sunil who won it the last time for his song which was a big hit. Winning this is a big encouragement for me. I hope this will make more people recognise and listen to my music. Q:- What do you feel about the show? Ashanthi:- It was well organised. Went on smoothly. Being backstage a lot I knew what was going on. Performance wise it was excellent. Q:- Tell us about singing with Mum? Ashanthi:- It was superb. It was the first time we sang together in public. We've sung together before only in family functions and such. Singing together that day felt good. Q:- Will we be seeing mother and daughter sing together in public in the future? Ashanthi:- Yes. Maybe. Can't tell for sure. Q:- What did you do afterwards? Ashanthi:- We all went out for dinner. Me, Nevanthi, our family and friends. Bathya and Santhush were to come too but they were tired so they went home instead. Q:- What do you feel about the western music scene in Sri Lanka? Ashanthi:- I think people should do more originals. To hit the global market you need to do originals. We have a lot of talent here. Our own ethnicity. We should use this to create our own unique music. Q:- What are you doing these days? Ashanthi:- Well I go with Ranidu as a duo. However he's abroad these days studying, so I'm meanwhile working on my own solo album. I like doing things on my own too. So I'm working on my own originals. Q:- How would you describe music? Ashanthi:- Music is something I believe that is driven by passion. It is my biggest passion. I'm very enthusiastic about it. Music for me is more than just a hobby. Q:- What's your favourite kind of songs? Ashanthi:- R n' B & Hip Hop Q:-What's it like when your on stage performing? Ashanthi:- Sometimes it is really nerve wracking. But I've got over that now. I'm in the stage at the moment of getting a real high with the crowd reaction. You get this inexpressible high when you get the crowd going and hear them cheer and clap. Q:- What are you like as a person? Ashanthi:- Friendly. All smiles. Easy going. Fun to be with. Like to make new friends. Q:- Sum up the Golden Clef in one word? Ashanthi:- Brilliant. |
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