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| Sunday, 27 April 2003 |
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When Planets disbanded because some of its members migrated, Priya joined the dance band Pearl which was the band at the Supper Club, Lanka Oberoi and still continues her career as a frontline singer with the same band now led by Jayantha de Silva playing at the Hilton Colombo. Name: Priya Goonetilleke Fav colour: Pink. But in my career as a musician I've favoured black, I think it is elegant. Trendy outfits: I like to see others in trendy outfits. As for me I prefer casual or leisure wear - like jeans. Hairdo's: Short hair. I used to have long hair in a plait, even in my Planet years as a drummer. I think long hair is beautiful - but it must suit the person. Fav music: I'm rock oriented - not in the heavy rock styles but in the soft rock idiom - songs with meaningful lyrics. However, I'm now singing many types of music in the band Pearl and have acquired a wide repertoire. Fav songs: from the '80s/'90s: From the '80s I can't right now tell you exactly what it was but the music of Gladys Knight and the Pips was high on my list. As for the '90s it is Odetta Adams and 'Get Here.' Any embarrassing day: No embarrassing day as such, but perhaps moments like when I forget the words of a song while on the bandstand. Are you superstitious: Yes I am. I'm interested in the mystique. What's your pet hate: I hate people who are scroungers. People who scrounge on others. I'm sympathetic at times and they keep taking advantage of me. Not only me but I've seen others having to face it. What makes you happy in life: Basically music. Also when I paint - it makes me happy. It is a release. The colours help me to release my anger and suppressed emotions. I developed the art in water colours after I left school. I held two one-woman exhibitions in the '70s and '90s. I took part in XIII Bienal de Sao Paulo exhibition in 1975, with a modern art contribution. There were others like S.H. Sarath, Tilak Abeysinghe, Donald Ramanayake, Vernon Saldin to recall a few names of leading artists who participated. My themes are landscapes and people too. Landscapes I prefer to paint from memory - paint a scene the way that I see it. Where would you like to be most now: In wide open spaces - living and working in 'open jungles'! What keeps you awake at night: After a night of playing with the band, I'm too hyped up to fall off to sleep. I unwind by watching TV, a movie, anything that will relax me. What other profession would you like to be in: I suppose it has to be art. I will have to develop it in order to make a living out of it. What's your meaning of life: I would like to live life and not be a burden. I wish to be remembered. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be: I don't want to change anything about my myself. I want to be me. What would you do if you ruled the world: I would elevate the literate, develop education, so that people would understand the value of peace and to fend for their hunger. What do you think life would be like in the year 3000: Man would still rule the world. Not robots. We need man to create and manufacture robots! Are you a dreamer by nature: Yes. We need the balance to live reality by dreaming. Your fav food? Do you cook: Yes I cook. I love to cook Eastern and Western food - like rice and curry etc., not the sweet stuff like cakes etc. Fav cartoon character: When I was a kid it was Superman. Now I prefer the aminated full length movies like Shrek, Antz etc. Worst hit song: I can't think of one now. What about rap music: Not in large doses. Some songs about social conditions yes. But the presentation has to be clear, or you lose interest. If Elvis Presley were still alive, what would he be doing: I don't think he would have survived in today's music scene. He would still be King of rock'n roll - that will never change. Yet even if he changed his style, I think he would not be able to survive in today's scene. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
In
the early years of her music career Priya Goonetilleke held the
distinction of being the only girl drummer in a field dominated by
arrogant males. A singer as well, Priya was the drummer of the successful
all girl band Planets - a name group that vied with the other bands for
gigs.
