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| Sunday, 22 January 2006 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Talent
galore
Ten youngsters.... one goal. Their dream is to become a super star. For the first time in Sri Lanka reality TV comes to life on Sirasa TV as they are tremendously inspired by the program called 'American Idol' which gives birth to young pop stars in America. And even the Sri Lankans had a chance to witness a whole heap of undoubtedly talented youth and adults on the same platform. Thousands were auditioned, but only a handful were lucky. Based on the public vote, ten young boys were selected last week purely for their immensely powerful voices and lively performance. Having pulled through many excruciatingly difficult moments, the top ten find their voices again, but this time, just to speak a few words about their experiences during the Sirasa Super Star Contest. Sunday Observer staffer Umangi de Mel speaks to the 10 finalists.
Actually I wasn't into singing as a kid, but I played the flute, and in 2004 I even got the All Island prize in flute. And I'm still in the national youth orchestra. I started singing in 5th grade at school. Well, in the first round of the Sirasa Super Star contest, the judges said even though my singing was good, my voice wasn't powerful enough, which made me practise more. I sang with the tape and increased the volume of the cassette player and tried to sing louder than the tape. The judges haven't pointed out a single mistake since then. And I was confident that I'd be among the last 11 contestants". Theekshana says that he never let the 'Super Star' pressure get to him. Instead he took one step at a time, "I never thought or let myself bother about winning, but I concentrated on every step carefully, and managed to come this far. Even if I don't win, I know there'll be other avenues for me, considering how far I've come and the fame I've got. I'm a very happy person to have come so far beating both young and old. Nevertheless it's hard not knowing if you're in or out. That moment is so difficult, that even if you're in, its happiness is almost lost in that previous fearful moment. But there's heaps of encouragement and backing from the senior musicians. They help us improve and forge ahead." He also adds that whatever happens, he'll stick around to give the public who brought him this far, his very best.
Having come this far, I don't think I want to turn back." Talking about the most difficult moment in the contest, Malith says it's the minute which decides if you are a winner on not. It's a very strange moment which could be overwhelming. I've won many competitions in school but never felt so difficult. But I know I'm lucky to be surrounded by those who support me and if I win, that'll be the best victory... And I've got a big journey ahead of me, anyway."
And that it was hard to believe the fact that he'd come this far, considering the crowd he saw at the initial workshop, "I flipped when I saw the hundreds of thousands of contestants, the very first day. I never lost hope though... And I became very confident as I kept getting selected. And even if I can't be the Super Star, I know there's hope for me, as I've already received a good training and loads of experience which is more than enough. Manjula says he's happy to be recognised wherever he goes, "There's lots of response. And it's nice to be recognised. Even if I don't get to be the Super Star at the end, I'll stay around so that I can improve as a musician."
My father is a music teacher and I've won competitions back in school. The first round of the super star contest wasn't so tough but the second round was. But after having overcome that obstacle, I took all my chances to come this far, I think that I'm already a winner. Actually, only one person can become the Super Star and we still don't know what will happen. It's a huge break anyway and I won't give up but will forge ahead taking all my chances."
"I was happy to be among the chosen lot and it's a big deal having come this far. It's not about winning or losing, it's about being able to face whatever comes your way. It's nice to be the super star and if I do get it, I'll take it as a positive start to live my life in a better manner. It's anyway made a difference in my life. My teachers, parents and musicians like Dayan Witharana have helped me a lot. I'm already a satisfied person."
I think I've already achieved my goal as my dream was to become a musician. The first time when I sang, it was a little scary but with the sort of experience and training I had received in the past, I pulled through. Jagath Wickramasinghe said I was talented, during the first round, and that helped me to come this far." He says that he's very proud to be among the top 10, "All of us are super stars now, people know us and we 'could even do our own thing. I'll be a little sad if I don't win, but the contest has given us much more. We get lots of support from the senior musicians and they've even promised us to lend a helping hand whenever we need it".
My first song was one of B&S songs and they praised me so much and said I did a better job. We've been given such a lot of publicity that I've already got many invitations to perform. I also did a radio jingle. My target is to be the super star and make a big difference in the music field in Sri Lanka. But I've made up my mind to face up to anything that comes my way".
All of us get a good feed back. When I sang one of Karunaratne Divulgane's songs at the first round, he called me and said I sang better than him." A very satisfied Asela says he's determined to stick around irrespective of the result, and continue his music, "I hope I'll be able to balance both my studies and music. Actually my friends back in the University help me a lot to catch up what I miss these days. All in all, it's good to be a winner".
My friends had sent and application for me for the Sirasa Super Star contest and I didn't know anything about it. Anyway, I was confident that I'd get selected in the three initial rounds. But after they started the voting system, it became a little tough. Nevertheless, the contest has given us a lot of experience. In Sri Lanka it's really difficult to come to the limelight through a media, but we've already got a taste of what it's like to be famous." Shihan says that he got a good response throughout the contest, "I'm quite confident about my singing, but now it requires more than that. You've got to be talented and earn the public vote. You've got to be appealing to the crowd. Everyone wants to win but it'll be just one person.... and if I'm the Super Star, I'd do something really unique and give my very best, especially to the youth." |
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Theekshana Anuradha (20) A student of St. Aloysius College in
Galle, Theekshana says that he was busy with his Advanced Level Examination
and it was my father who had forwarded an application for him for the
contest, "and when I saw the crowd at the workshop which was held prior to
the contest I couldn't believe that I'd make it this far. 
Malith Perera (18) An advanced level student of the National
School in Pannala, says he was into music from his childhood, "I applied for
the contest and have been desiring to become the Super Star, since. I'm very
confident and happy about my improvement. 
M. L. Manjula Pushpakumara (20) Having come all the way from
Polonnaruwa Manjula says that his brother who resides in Kelaniya forwarded
the application for him, for the contest. 
Amila Perera (21) Who comes from Kandy says that he knew next to
nothing about the contest till he got the letter from the organisers, "My
folks had applied and I had only to come down to the workshops. 
Darshana Pramodh (16) A student from Mahanama College, says he
sings in school, "I'm good at it so all my friends including my parents
thought I should give it a shot," he says adding that he took part
especially to gain the taste of a real contest and the experience. 
Nishantha Nanayakkara (25), Having come from Uda Walawe, Nishantha
seems quite content as he feels that people from areas like his, don't get
such chances, "We got major publicity and the public know us well. 
Ajith Bandara (29) Having formed his own group in Kurunegala,
Ajith says he loves music, "I was confident but it's a great feeling to be
among the top 10, having sung in front of professional musicians. It's sheer
luck to be the super star, but only one person can be that. Even if I don't
win, I think I've come far enough to last a lifetime in the field. The
senior musicians have helped us tremendously." 
Varuna Madushanka Peiris (22), Who works at the Colombo Swimming
Club accounts department, reveals that he already has a name in the field as
he sings at the hotels and is a great fan of Bathiya and Santhush, "I've
never taken part in a concert, but B & S inspired me to apply for the Super
Star contest. But I never thought I'd be chosen. 
Asela Eranda (21) A student from the Engineering Faculty,
Peradeniya, says he's the happiest to be selected out of thousands of
contestants, "I had no big hopes when I took part, though. I feel I've come
a long way and even if I have to go back home next week, I won't be sad. 
Shihan Mihiranga (20) A student from De Mazenod College in Kandana
says music is something that runs in his blood," my father is a music
engineer who also plays in the army band. I've won All Island prizes during
school days for classical singing. 
