Kishani sings for Visakha

by Lisa Blake

The music lovers of Colombo are in for a treat. South Asia’s star soprano and Sri Lanka’s darling on the operatic stage, Kishani Jayasinghe will sing her heart out for them once again, on Sunday, May 11. In keeping with her theme of singing for children, this time round she sings for the worthiest cause of all: her alma mater, Visakha Vidyalaya.

A fitting tribute it would seem from a very versatile and celebrated former pupil of Sri Lanka’s largest leading all girls’ school. During her illustrious career at Visakha Vidyalaya which spanned 13 years, Kishani was the Head Prefect, Captain of the Debate and Tennis teams, Leader of the Choir, Best All Round Junior and Senior Student and the school’s first Rowing Colours woman, amongst other things.

A flamboyant and popular student, Kishani graciously accepted an invitation by the Old Girls’ Association to do a Charity Benefit Concert with all proceeds going towards the development of the school.

“I am largely a product of my school. Apart from the very important and obvious familial influence, much of the person and character that I am today, was moulded within these Hallowed Walls,” said Kishani.

“The beauty of going to a school like this is you learn to cope with all kinds of people in all kinds of situations.

In addition to the obvious academic lessons, it also teaches you to strive for excellence at all times, whilst preserving your honour and retaining your humility. I simply loved school. I have such extraordinary memories of being a student, and all of it, for free. What better thank you than being able to ‘Sing for Visakha?”

This of course means that Kishani will take to the stage for a second time this year. Hot on the heels of her sell out concert at the Lionel Wendt theatre earlier this January, comes “Kishani Sings for Visakha”.

Perhaps one of the most significant features of this performance will be the venue itself: the School Hall.

“What better way to pay tribute to thirteen glorious years of my life, than to sing about it from where it all happened?”.

And sing about it, she will. Accompanied by Soundarie David-Rodrigo at the Piano; Surekha Amarasinghe on the flute; Satish Cassie Chetty on the Violin and Shamistha De Silva on the Cello, Kishani and her ‘S Team’, will present a program on the lighter side.

The evening will showcase a multitude of beautiful and popular songs from Opera musicals, movies and even cartoons, sung in her signature operatic style.