 Nilma Dole
Taking on the international music industry isn’t an everyday thing
when it comes to Sri Lankan beats. Sri Lankan musicians who play abroad
always play to Sri Lankans living in that particular country, but
Hasanjith will play in Rome and Milan this summer to a guaranteed
audience where at least 30 percent will encompass Italians. The musical
extravaganza ‘Serendib 2009’ will feature great singers together with
Hasanjith coming on the same platform. They will also give special
interviews and have videos aired on Italian electronic media. The
Italian sponsors of the tour have sanctioned that his will be a concert
to remember.
 Hasanjith has studied at Nalanda College and then at Gateway
International. “Just like one of my role models, Bathiya Jayakody (of
BnS fame) I started like him as a campfire scout musician and then
developed confidence in improving my singing skills” he said. Getting
his break in the music industry in 2004, Hasanjith started out as a
backup vocalist and harmoniser for popular musicians. He made his mark
with the song ‘Pem Keruwata’, a Hip Hop track mixed with English rap.
“The lyrics was done by Wasantha, ‘Duka’ Dukgannarala and the music
was done by Hiran Thenuwara.” Having signed up with M Entertainment
after the release of his song, Hasanjith then released his first music
video which became an instant hit.
“The next video I did was ‘Sandalu’ that was shot at a graveyard
which is an R&B integrated with Indian beats track but it never became a
hit” said Hasanjith. However, not giving up, he went on to produce ‘Obai
Mage Jeevithaye’ in December 2007, done with music composer Gimantha
Aponso, lyricist Kumara Bopearachchi and the video was done by WideAngle.
“It was then that I met my friend Sharmini who was instrumental in
producing her dazzling costumes for a video which was nominated as the
Best Video in the Derana Music Awards”, he said.
The name of his upcoming album encompassing these songs is ‘Destiny’
which will be released after the Italian tour. “I acknowledge the music
industry veterans who worked with me to produce my first album including
Iraj, Chinthy, Gayantha, Nisal, Niran, Gimantha, Pradeep, Kumara and
lyricists ‘Duka’ and Nilar Cassim” said Hasanjith who has toured with
many Sri Lankan artistes like BnS and Iraj in Australia, Oman, Maldives
and now Italy.Today, Hasanjith writes his own songs and is the host of
the satellite channel where he hosts his own music program ‘Sri Lanka
Unlimited’ where he showcases the best of Sri Lankan talent.
“This channel caters to the whole crowd and it’s an international
station” he said. Hasanjith also contributes to the Sara music magazine
and devotes his time on uplifting and giving a platform for budding
Lankan musicians.Advising the younger generation, Hasanjith says, “Do
something new and don’t copy others, the trend of remixing songs from
old ones is not good and since the competition is stiff, it’s important
to have your own signature music style”.
He comments that about 15 videos are produced every week in Sri Lanka
and after about 2 or 3 months, the artistes who became famous overnight
lose their glamour.
“With the latest technology, today’s wannabe music stars can use a
software called ‘Autotune’ to correct their voices, so the real talented
musicians suffer because money is the name of the game,” he said.
As for the future, Hasanjith is working on new material like
‘Mandodari’ where another side of God Ravana is revealed. Exuding with
multicultural and multi-religious harmony, he says, “I’ve also produced
a song called ‘Fathima’ with Iraj about how different religions can
unite with love” he concludes. Hasanjith thanks his family, friends and
fans who have stuck with him through thick and thin. |
