Young artiste in the making

by Lakmal Welabada

Fifteen years is considered teenage, which means 'at the doorstep of youth'... But for any parent a 15-year-old is still a child. Sandani Sulakna is no exception.

She is still a child for all intents and purposes, but she hopes to release a CD and Cassette which consists of many songs

Carrying her first set of songs in a small electronic-digital compact, Sandani entered the Sunday Observer Features room with her uncle. Staffers were wary of her entry and some said they had seen her somewhere, but were not sure where. "I am an actress too," she expelled the doubts of the onlookers with this statement. Her friendly youthful appearance would pull at anybody's heart.

Sandani is studying at a Private School in Colombo in which she supports her a great deal in her endeavour . She believes that this support is a great blessing for an up and coming star like her. Had the school made any objections, Sandani wouldn't have got the opportunity to carry on and achieve her dream at such a young age.

She has been learning eastern music, both vocal and violin from Anil Mihiripenna at Sharada Kalayathanaya since she was six years. "I learned Kandyan dancing from Channa Wijewardhane Sir, and at present I am mastering the dancing modes under Upul Sir. And then....," she went on, "I did a six month course of acting with Prasannajith Abeysuriya Sir at Sharada."

Sandani's first acting performance was on the stage with Keerthi Bandara's children's drama, 'Sudu Paraviyo' when she was 12 years. Rathna Lalani accompanied Sanduni for her 'Tak Tik Tuk' children's teledrama after that, although it has not been telecast as yet, Sandani talked happily about her first experience before the tele camera.

'Doovili Suvanda' directed by Mohan Niyas was her second tele in which she played a role of a Rodiya girl. Bermin Laili's 'Saanthuvaranaya' telecast on Swaranvahini at present is her fourth teledrama out of the eight to nine teledramas of hers which are yet to be released for telecast.

She really enjoyed doing the role of a mischievous Tom Boy at Mavo Lakshitha's 'Nehtu Abhisheka'. The ragger's role in a campus in 'Kedapatha', one of the serialised tele episodes in 'Dhawala yaamaya' on Sirasa, was a memorable role among all the characters she has done so far.

"I have done about six paper ads and three TV commercials. One day, my mother had gone to get one of my paper ads laminated and.Bermin Laili had also come there to get his 'Santhuvaranaya' script bound. He had seen my picture with my mother and had inquired about me. He was looking for a teenage girl for that particular teledrama. And that was how I got the role," she said .

Where ever she goes her mother is behind her, like her shadow as her father is many miles away. "We miss Thatha, but know he is doing all he can to give a better future to me and Nangi. He is in the States and hasn't come for the past six years. But he gives his heart and soul for us," she smiles.

'Pini Keta Ahurak' is the title of her first set of songs - CD and Cassette. And it contains a handful of songs composed on different themes. "It's all about love. We shed love on others in different categories and relationships. We love our parents; we love our siblings and of course people fall in love with the opposite sex. My songs consist of all kinds of emotions ," she explains.

She had a quick no when we asked her about any relationships with the opposite sex. "My friends sometimes crack a joke quoting a scene done by me in a tele. And other than that no one has said anything nasty to my face so far," she says.

"I want to continue my studies as well while continuing with my performances as a singer and actress. Most probably I will become a music teacher," she says

She blushed when our artist Punchihewa (who sat next to me watching me interviewing her) handed over a beautiful sketch of her done by him.