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| Sunday, 13 March 2005 |
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Wathsala Gunatillaka : In a class of her own by Mahes Perera
At the recent 'Reach Out - Part II' concert staged by youth singers and musicians at the John de Silva Memorial Theatre, for tsunami victims, Wathsala Gunatillaka came through strong with her performance of 'New Day Has Come' and I Will Survive. Was she nervous? Not quite she tells us. 'Because once you start singing the introduction the rest follows easily' she elaborates. Sure that's how most singers feel however experienced they are. Talking of experience, her first professional gig was with Diliup Gabadamudalige, the extraordinary keyboardist who moulded her into the strong singer she is today, while performing as a duo with him at Trans Asia. A product of St. Joseph's Girls School, Nugegoda and the Marian Singers, Wathsala like the other teenagers of today entered herself for the Showboat Karaoke competition in 2002, for larks, and never thought she would move into the finals. Winning the competition was kind of great for her and for her family who were always there with their whole hearted support. "I sang with Diliup at Trans Asia for about an year and now we freelance, performing at corporate functions and special occasions. This way it is not strenuous, because I do a 9 to 5 job and I don't have to rush to hotels weekly to meet my performing deadlines" expresses Wathsala in between attending to her customer service needs at her office. There's no denying that she is a Celine Dion fan, because most of her performing songs are covers of Dion's songs. "I used to emulate her too in the singing style but now I don't because Diliup insisted I have a style of my own and so now my style is different. But I'm a crazy fan of Aishwarya - I won't miss a single movie of her's. She's fabulous." A classically trained pianist, she has a Grade IV under her belt and is now a keyboardist as well. Wathsala confesses that her favourite music is diametrically opposite. She enjoys soft rock and country and "Oh I love hip hop dancing and salsa which I learnt from Kevin Nugara" Wathsala is exuberant in her expression. But hold on, this next confession will surprise you. "I'm not a book fan. I get bored reading books and I'm not into sports either. I hate action movies. But I love horror movies, musicals and comedies." Strange combination of hates and likes you tell yourself! But then that's youth for you! However catch her next performance, you won't be disappointed. Slim though her frame is, her powerful voice will keep your attention right till the end of her song. She certainly has style and a bright future is assured if she pursues her career diligently. "I'm working on a CD of originals with Diliup and I hope to release it soon. Watch out for the day." We will. |
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