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| Sunday, 25 May 2003 |
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by Umangi de Mel She's got talent, grit and long goldy locks..Hitting a high note with ease is her speciality and singing heart out is her passion. Young Monique elaborates on how her `passion' began to swell with time. "I probably inherited the knack to sing from my mom's side. My grandma's family was talented," she says kicking off the conversation. The 21 year old singer remembers crooning with her father as a tiny tot. "That was the Roxette and Richard Marx era. The first song I sang with my dad was Richard Marx's `Right here waiting'. I wouldn't have been anything more than six or seven," says Monique going back in time to catch a glimpse of the good ol' days. She adds that she even took part in kids' shows at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC). Having had mom's total backing, Monique says that she stepped into big time singing. "It was my mother who encouraged me throughout. She introduced me to Karoake at Hilton. My sis and mom would sit and listen to me sing there for hours, for fun," she laughs not forgetting to add that her sister was bored out of their wits at times. Monique first tasted singing success in 1998 after winning the Hilton Karoake championship. "And in 1999, I was lucky to win the `Familian Fantasy Karoake' in which girls and boys from many places took part. The proud Familian that she is, Monique reveals that all three winners had been from her school. Speaking about singing, she says that she's always sung for the love of it and letting out a high pitched giggle, says that she doesn't let certain thoughts push her around. "And those would be `winning awards'. If an award ever came my way, I `gladly' accepted. I never expected to win even at the times I actually did. I felt very good but I never let it get to my head," as she puts it, walking ten feet above the ground, could dig one's grave. "An embarrassing example would be taking part in Showboat Karoake Championships in `99, 2000 and 2001 just to lose all," she says not trying to mask the notes of embarrassment in her voice but adds that there's no room for losses in her life. "I don't let it discourage me because I believe if something has to happen, it happens." Monique says her idea had been to become a journalist. Having completed a diploma in Journalism and Communication at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, (SLFI) IN 2001, Monique was an intern at YATV for seven weeks as she specialised in Television module. "I didn't know I was going to be a professional singer but things happen when you least expect them," she says. During her internship at YATV, she got acquainted with Diliup Gabadamudalige, music director at YATV. It was he who noticed her impressive sing-song personality and took her singing seriously. Since then there has been no looking back, says Monique. "I began singing with him in March 2001 at Oberoi, Galadari, Hilton and Trans Asia," She remembers. After singing with Diliup for a while, Monique says that she decided to take a bow. "I started off as a jazz vocalist with Diliup but after he started doing fusion music, I knew I just didn't want to continue, which is why I left," she says adding that luck hit her once again as she got a chance to work with `Ultimate'. She talks about her first encounter with the band. "I was to do a spot at the Royal Shuffle organised by the old Royalists. Ultimate happened to be the backing band and I instantly fell in love with the outfit," she says that she kept her fingers crossed hoping the guys would ask her to work with them. Monique says `Ultimate' is one of the most professional bands in the country. "Manjula, leader of the band fondly known as `Sudu' happens to be a perfectionist. I like working with people who know what they are doing and those who don't fudge on stage," she says in a serious tone. "Now I'm a permanent member of `Ultimate' and I owe it all to Imran Pakir Saibo of Funtime Entertainment," she grins. Having always been life of the party, Monique says singing is a passion to her. "And the stage is my world. No matter what happens in my life, when I get on stage to perform, I forget about everything," she says and adds that singing is not about making big money or becoming famous. "It's all about being able to perform and having a faithful audience," she points out. Stage craft has been something Monique always had in her. "My audience is very supportive and I love them. The interaction begins from the time I walk into a club or function. It's a never ending jabber plus they inspire me to continue performing," she says as thinks it's very important for the whole band to interact with the crowd. Monique says she doesn't do anything apart from singing. "We practise during day and we perform at night. I'd rather rest during the day and give my 100 per cent to what I'm doing at gigs," she explains. "I'm still learning as I've only been in the scene for one year," Monique says that she doesn't want anything to get in her way as she wants to concentrate on her music career, She says that there is tremendous support from the guys in the band. " Sudu, Joe, Sudath, Lal and Dulip always back me up teaching me the do's and don't's to improve my singing. Musicians from other bands help a lot too," she doesn't forget to add. Monique sings mostly commercial and alternate stuff. "My fav. is `Don't speak' by No Doubt and I also sing quite a few country and western songs," she says. Speaking of local talent, she says that there's a lot of talent in the country. "But unfortunately the people who have a say in the industry don't see that the young musicians should have a platform to show off their talent. Senior musicians don't seem to recognise their talent, I'm thankful to my lucky stars that I got a break with `Ultimate'," she says. She says that there is a common misunderstanding in society about musicians. "A lot of people think that musicians are uneducated and are into drugs or booze. You might get a few characters who are bad news but most of them are very decent," she explains. Future plans? "To be the best female vocalist and performer in the country," she says with sheer determination ringing in her voice. |
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