|
|
|
| Sunday, 05 March 2006 |
 |
|
 |
Magazine |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Dream come true by Lakmal Welabada 'Jothy Rathriya' (Jothy night) conducted by late celebrated singer H.R. Jothipala was one of the most popular musical shows in the mid 1970s. Dharmasri Wickremasinghe, a famous announcer at Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) compered the show.
Chandra, his wife who was pregnant was in the audience engrossed in the blissful melodies sung by Jothy and his supporting female singers on the stage. "If I happen to give birth to a girl...," she thought... "may she be gifted with a beautiful voice and may she be one of the top singers one day." There is an old saying that the baby feels what the mother feels. Chandra was quite aware of what she was doing at that time when she caressed her tummy. whispering her thoughts to the baby. A little girl was born to her on June 26. They named her Uresha Ravihari Wickremasinghe. Her granny noticed that her little grand daughter would stop crying and easily go to sleep if she was lulled to a melodious tune. At the age of three, once little Uresha started picking up words, the very first thing she did was to hum a tune which had beautiful rhythm. Her mother realised that her dream might soon be fulfilled. Veteran singer Sujatha Attanayaka, a close family friend of the Wickremasinghe's was conducting music classes in the annexe at Uresha's home at Nugegoda. Little Uresha who used to sit at the door step, loved to listen to the beautiful 'Ragas' sung by the celebrated singer while teaching her students. Soon, Uresha joined the company of the other singers as well. She began to learn music and vocal train. With the help of her parents and guru Sujatha, a little nightingale was born. While schooling at Samudradevi Balika, Nugegoda and then at St.Paul's Girls' School, Milagiriya, Uresha studied music and dancing while excelling in her studies. Every occasion in school, be it a 'Kala Ulela' (cultural event) or a 'Science day' or 'Commerce day', Uresha was the most sought after student called upon to entertain the audience with her beautiful rendititions. The talent of the little girl began to be recognised. The destiny that was awaiting the little singer, opened its doors for her. At the age of eight, Uresha sang her maiden song for the Sinhala film 'Shakthiya Obai Amme' (mother, you are the strength to me) with Sujatha Attanayaka and Tony Hassan. It was background music for a little boy who was acting. This was her beginning and with that Uresha has sung in more than 40 films so far. She released her first song CD and cassette 'Surathal Nangiye' (my dear little sister) at the age of nine. Her brother Navod who was about 7 years old, also sang with her. Uresha began to sing Hindi songs and released a CD/cassette with top old Hindi hits at the age of 11. Simultaneously she got the opportunity to sing in Hindi songs on ITN telecast every Tuesday. "But this labelled me as only being capable of singing Hindi songs. So my parents convinced me to do a Hindi- Sinhala mix CD/cassette. I was 13 years then. And I sang my own Sinhala songs which later earned fame," she reminisced. Uresha released her third CD/cassette 'Kasun Tharaka' with her own original songs at the age of 16, and continued releasing her own songs until today. 'Malsara Doni' was a film produced by Dharmasri, and Uresha's father and she made her debut into acting.she played a dual role in the film. She was only 13 years old then. Uresha completed 'Prathama' and the Diploma in Hindustani music under gurus Sujatha Attanayaka and late Austin Munasinghe. She learned Bharatha Natyam under Preethi Ganegoda and Vasuki Shanmugampillai. The little nightingale won her first award in 1996 the Rasa Awards Festival for the best selling CD/cassette 'Sithin Man Aaderai'. She won the best tele singer's awards twice. Firstly in 1998 at Sumathi Tele Awards for 'Sasala Ruwa' teledrama for which Jagath Wickremasinghe composed music, and in 2005 at the Raigam Tele Awards for 'Idorayaka Mal Pipila' for the song for which veteran Khemadasa composed music. Singing is her first love and later became her career. Dancing was her past time, and beauticulture has been the hobby of this versatile young woman. She did a diploma course in beauticulture under Suwineetha Kotalawala, and at one time practised beauty culture. "I have no time to spend on it now. But it was something I really enjoyed. Making someone beautiful gave me a lot of self satisfaction," she says. Her mother says Uresha is spick and span and fond of keeping the house neat and tidy. "She rarely comes to the kitchen. But everybody loves her cooking as she is an expert in it as well," says her mother. Salmon-pink, black and blue are her favourite colours. The young singer pays a lot of attention to her clothes. Facing her adversaries with a smile, Uresha continues her journey with courage. Uresha says she is leading a moderate and satisfied life. When asked the common question which is relevant to girls of her age, Uresha with a blushing smile claims she is very happy with her present status. She will soon end her single status once she meets her partner in the near future...' Uresha is thankful to Swarnavahini, especially Hema Nalin Karunaratne,
Jackson Anthony and Kelum Palitha Mahiratne for all the assistance given
to her. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
