Multi-faceted nightingale ? Erin Kelaart
by Joe Van Langenberg
In a soul-bearing, exclusive tele-interview with Joe Van Langenberg
of the "Sri Lankan Anchorman", Erin highlights her musical milestones
during that golden era and talks about the battle with personal demons,
which not only threatened her sanity, but also almost destroyed her
life.
Regarded as one of the linchpins of pop music in Sri Lanka during the
golden sixties, she was the youngest singer to blaze a trail in the
corridors of entertainment; a phenomenal success and multi-talented
nightingale who reached the pinnacle of fame in a relatively short time
frame. HER NAME IS ERIN KELAART.
Born to Erwin and Anne Kelaart, Erin was the second of six children.
Given her parents' musical prowess, it was a foregone conclusion the
lass would eventually follow in their footsteps. Erin cut her musical
teeth under the tutelage of Doris Forbes, who persuaded her to follow
her dream and hone her singing skills. Though guided by Estelle de Niese,
Erin was not professionally trained.
Through sheer perseverance and invaluable know-how from her Mum and
Dad, Erin's vocal range became enriched and took on an unique edge.
Improving in leaps and bounds and gaining in confidence, Erin decided
the time was ripe to start firing on all cylinders. "I felt sure of
myself and knew I could make an impact,? she said.
Singing debut
Erin made her singing debut at age fifteen. ?I sang "Stupid Cupid",
which later became my signature piece. Then, at a Father's Day concert,
I warbled my vocals to great effect around "Silver haired daddy of mine"
added Erin, her voice laced with emotion. She started singing on radio,
also at fifteen, later entering the "Airship Talent Quest" with the
melancholic Jim Reeves hit, Dark Moon".
"For some strange reason, the number appealed to me", she said
laughingly. Erin and her sister Erma, entered the "Maliban Talent Quest
in 1965 and came second with "You've got me under your spell again".
Erin was adjudged winner of the "Maliban Talent Quest" for 1965 with her
powerful rendition of "Kiss of fire".
She was over the moon and floated on Cloud 9 when her name was read
out by all-time great, Livy Wijemanne. The thunderous applause was sweet
music to her ears. "It was pretty exciting," said Erin. Dubbed the local
"Connie Francis", Erin became an overnight sensation.
She was spotted by legendary talent scout cum showbiz personality of
yesteryear, Decima de Kretser; who opened doors of opportunity, by
giving her top billing on all her shows. Erin's performances were
classy, breathtaking and spectacular. She moved on stage like a soft,
summer breeze.
Soon, everyone wanted a piece of her. "It was intoxicating" she
added, peering through the mists of time.
Back in the 60's
The sixtees was a time when entertainers of the calibre of Gerry
Crake, Papa Miskin, Wadham Dole, Harold Seneviratne, Adrian Ferdinands,
Jimmy Weerasinghe and Galali Ahmith held sway. Now it was Erin's turn to
join the elite ranks.
She became the new kid on the block, causing quite a buzz on the
circuit. Erin's repetoire comprised a blend of soulful ballads,
stimulating tempo, pulsating rhythm; even including a few of Chubby
Checker's gyrating hits, notably, "Let's twist again".
Her glossy, luxuriant black tresses cascading to her shoulders,
enhanced her natural beauty and youthful exuberance, with her face
bearing the hallmark of childhood innocence. These attributes not only
endeared her to an amalgam of audiences, but also warmed the cockles of
many a male admirer's heart.
Some even called her "Lady with the mystic smile". Erin, along with
her mother and siblings migrated to Australia in 1972, but shortly after
arrival, moved to London and resided with her partner for five years;
thereafter returning to Australia in 1977. "My marriage unfortunately
didn't work out. I reckon it wasn't meant to be" she said, her voice
tinged with an iota of regret.
Vicious cycle
Erin has been battered and bruised by the vicissitudes of life, an
emotional roller-coaster and prolonged confrontation with the "black
dog" called depression. She was forced to run the gauntlet, but emerged
stronger, despite having rolled with the punches. Her troubles, later
developing into a nightmare, began at a time when life was full of fun
and laughter. She was only nine; a mere kid. Both her Mum and Dad were
blissfully happy, together with the rest of her siblings.
The Kelaart's family was closely-knit, bound by sterling Christian
values. No one expected the bubble to burst, but it certainly did.
Everything was hunky-dory until satanic forces cruelly ripped their
parents apart, driving an irreparable wedge between two compatible
people.
What transpired in 1955 was the beginning of a vicious cycle. "My Dad
was a wonderful man, deeply devoted to Mum. She was his world. It was
devastating to see him change into someone unrecognisable through no
fault of his,? said Erin sadly. Her world was torn asunder.
Watching helplessly, as her mother stoically suffered in silence,
Erin's life took a turn for the worse. She waded through rapids of
rock-bottom lows, suffocated by quicksands of despair. This was the
start of a protracted depressive spiral, culminating in a propensity for
self-destruction. She found herself floating in a vacuum; disorientated
and wiped-out.
However, this courageous, resilient woman, like her mother, has
overcome monumental odds in the face of adversity; finally putting the
ghosts to rest. "Dwelling on the past is an exercise in futility.
Focusing on the positives should be the bottom-line, says Erin
realistically. O Father Mine, is an awe-inspiring chronicle of Erin's
true-life encounters which gives a spine-tingling, mind-boggling,
in-depth insight into the supernatural and despicable levels one could
descend to, by not only violating every canon of human decency, but also
surreptitiously robbing another of tranquility.
Her literary skills are impeccable, writing style exquisite ; bound
to keep readers spellbound and riveted to their seats. "I have dedicated
this book to my beautiful mother, who was my anchor on life's turbulent
ocean" Erin emphasized.
CD of Gospel hits
Not one to rest on her laurels, she has now released a CD of gospel
hits. Many books, poems are in the pipeline, along with a few irons
blazing in the fire. Erins life has come full circle since those
traumatic days, which she likens to an experiment gone horribly wrong.
Now a committed Christian, who sings in her local choir in Auburn, New
South Wales, Erin at sixty years young, is a boon to those standing to
gain by her sagacity and inner strength. A humanitarian in her own
right, Erin's commendable deeds involving helping disempowered women and
kids, have spread far and wide.
She is particularly concerned about human rights abuses in
impoverished Sierra Leone and raises funds for the underprivileged.
Erin is a heroine who feels no bitterness towards those who wronged
her. This speaks volumes for her integrity. She has not only done her
motherland proud, but is also a role model for the younger generation.
What makes her so special, is her ability to separate the grain and with
a breath of kindness blow the chaff away.
This is the stuff champions are made of
(Courtesy: The Sri Lankan Anchorman)
|