A complete woman

by Lakmal Welabada

At first I thought I would introduce her as just another woman among those who have sacrificed their careers for marriage and children. But after meeting this mother-of-two I had to change my mind.

Sanjeevani Weerasinghe is a versatile woman who could pull handle any situation, marriage, life and career simultaneously and successfully....

Sanjeevani, was 'Miss Working Girl' in 1992 and is still known as a singer, though she has extended her inborn talent in acting as well. The fame she got in the early 1990s with a major demand for the stage musical shows held all over the island has still not faded. Sanjeevani was a play backsinger for 50 to 70 films, and has been acting in many teledramas. In addition she is a popular compere and conducts lottery draws on TV.

Being the youngest in a family of four and raised with a lot of love and care, Sanjeevani enjoyed a 'happy-go-lucky' childhood and adolescence. Though she followed in the foot steps of her singer- mother Chandra Weerasinghe, her businessman- father was both her idol and best friend. Though it is nine years since he passed away, she still misses him yes . "Thathi was always encouraging.

It was the time that the local music industry was flourishing and glowing with stars. We used to get to be called for quite a number of shows on a single day. Whereever I went my parents were beside me throughout. Some days we set off around 6 o'clock in the morning and returned home 6 or 7 o'clock on the following day. Sometimes one show was at Panadura and the other one was at Negombo.

I used to arrange a mattress on a seat in our van to rest a bit in between the shows while my father drove and reached the destination. Once I noticed my father chewing black pepper seeds while driving.

When asked he said it would keep him awake. He never liked to hire a driver as he had no confidence in them. He was really worried about my safety. He was such a wonderful father," she says.

Sanjeevani was educated at Ananda Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo and during her school days she was actively involved in extra curricular activities.

We had to pause a few minutes when Sanjeevani's little daughter Sanjani sought her mom's attention for a while. After reciting the lovely poem 'Sweety' Sanjani went back to her brother, Sarenda who was rolling a big globe to go through the world map.

"After A/Ls I got into the Law College, but unfortunately for some reason, it was closed for over a period of five years. So I had to forget about it. Simultaneously I got the opportunity to take part as a supportive singer in my mother's solo music show in 1990. Eventually I entered the music world. But I did a degree in child psychology which followed after a Diploma in AMI Montessori.

More than anything in this world, I valued that knowledge as it has helped me immensely when handling and tackling my two kids. I think every girl should follow at least a crash course in Montessori training before marriage as it would broaden one's horizon in bringing up children," she suggests.

Face, figure and complexion are necessary for any woman who is ni the public eye. Taking this view many people had advised her to delay her pregnancy but she did not heed anybody's advice an d is happy that she took it.

She is married to Susantha de Mel, Branch Manager of Union Assurance and also a cricketer . "He is very supportive and broad minded. Being a woman I should know my limits . " she claims.

Sanjeevani released a CD and a cassette every month. But now she is geared to a family life "I have no regrets for sacrificing stardom for my marriage," she smiles. However her latest CD (after many years) with twenty odd songs will be released shortly. Also she will play a main role in the newest teledrama 'Kavya' on Sirasa TV in the near future.

Her sister Sangeetha and two cricketer bothers, Sanjeewa and Jeewaka are all settled down in the States. "My mother is also with them and I really miss them, "she says

She is very house conscious and keeps a beautiful home "Both Susantha and I have no separate friends, we have common family friends. We do love to travel both here and abroad. I work according to a flexible time table in order not to get my work mixed up or disturbed with the duties I have towards my family.

There are days that I also get aches and pains after a heavy schedules. But I somehow try to keep my spirit alive. A balanced diet and a bit of daily exercises helps me to be energetic," she says.

"We celebrate both the Sinhala Avurudu and Christmas equally because of our different religious beliefs.

Sanjeevani feels that a woman should be educated. Music and acting are very good occupations with fame and money. It's a field that needs young talent more and more, but young girls should know where to draw the line" she concludes.