by Mahes PERERA
Just five days ago Sri Lanka’s
most popular young singer Ashanthi was in a feverish last-minute-packing
and weighing-of-the-bags scenario before driving off to the airport to
jet across to Melbourne, Australia for two concerts on February 27 and
28. Before the packing scenario reached a high we threw some questions
at her to answer.
These concerts at Melbourne will see you singing solo?
 “Yes.
I’m the featured artiste. Marians will be flying across too, to play at
this dinner dance at Springvale Town Hall and at an open air concert at
Noble Park. This is my first gig after my stint in Dubai in December
2008.”
Prior to Dubai you were on tour with Bathiya ‘N Santhush. How did you
find the tour and the reaction from the audience?
“The reaction was good. We performed in New York, Washington,
California, Toronto and London. Our shows were for three and a half
hours each concert, with a small break. It was strenuous but lively what
with the audience out of their seats dancing to our music. The concerts
were sell outs.”
Now that Sandawathuren has found success is there a follow up CD in
the bag?
“I’m working on my second album which will be released in May. There
will be twelve tracks on the CD. I’m producing it along with Eranga
Jayawanse, Bathiya, Thusith of Centigradz and Billy Fernando.”
While her second CD becomes a reality, Ashanthi whose song Hanthane
found success as the No. 1 hit on the YFM charts has opened up a school
of music in vocal training for all age groups.
“I’ve found that there is not enough guidance for aspiring young pop
singers in vocal theory and practicals, microphone techniques, harmonics
and dynamics, lyric writing and producing and showmanship. I’ve always
wanted to help the youth who are ignorant of the techniques and that is
where the school comes in, presented by Ethno Entertainment at
Thimbirigasyaya.”
Ashanthi’s come a long long way since her young days. She was five
then, when she sang Stevie Wonder’s “I Just Called to Say I Love You”
and took every one by storm. Today her original songs are in a class of
her own and her voice continues to radiate happiness to all her fans. |
