Software Engineer returns to Music

by Sureni Dayaratne

Chaturika Rajapakse, a full time software engineer in London left her PhD in Computer Science after five months saying it was "not challenging enough" and so, "I got really bored with it" to return to her favourite pursuit -Music.

Every year when Chaturika returns to Sri Lanka for a holiday she gives a piano recital. This time too she

performed in November at a House Concert organized by the Kandy Music Society at "Varama," the home of Bridget and Ashley Halp‚.

Having her roots in Kandy and having attended Kandy Girls' High School studying Maths for her Advanced Levels, she entered the University of Peradeniya in 1998 and followed a four- year Special Degree course in Computer Science, coming out with First Class Honours.

"After my finals I went to the U.K for my Postgraduate Studies at the University of Surrey and obtained an MSc in Computer Science."

She had already completed her LRSM Diploma to qualify as a professional pianist and performer (before she began her tertiary education at the University of Peradeniya) 10 years ago.

Music being her pastime and being mainly engrossed in classical music, the 28 year old Chaturika says "I used to play improvised pop music when I was very young but I'm not interested in pop anymore." Further, she adds "I started playing in public concerts as Aunty Bridget's choir accompanist and afterwards I moved to playing solo. In 1999 I won a scholarship to U.K where I had the opportunity of playing in concerts."

But when asked how she chose Computer Science and not Music as her career she says "The reason is I like to perform but I'm a bit lazy to teach. In Sri Lanka it's very difficult to make a living out of performing alone, so I chose Computers as my career."

She likes challenging pieces like Rachmaninoff and Liszt: "I like to take the challenge of working on pieces like that, despite my small hands" says Chaturika grinning away showing off her petite hands with rather small fingers. And when asked how she manages the pianoforte with such small fingers she says "I don't know.

I don't think the size of the hand matters....it's the size of the mind."

She says she doesn't have a definite plan, but hopes to work as a software engineer for at least another 4-5 years since "I spent so much time studying and doing the Masters I don't feel like just giving it all up.

I'd love to be a full time performer, but that is very competitive specially in London." Further she added that she'd love to be involved in professional choirs/music groups in London but says "I still haven't taken that seriously but maybe when I return to London I will write to professional musicians and take master classes from an internationally reputed pianist.

I have written to international pianists and have contacts with them for getting advice."

When asked what it feels like after all those programming (which includes much typing on the keyboard) and wearing out her brain at work, to keep her fingers on the piano, "Very relaxing" is her reply. "Work is very stressful and a strain.

Specially because I'm a programmer, but when I get back home no matter how busy and tired I am, I go to the piano and it's simply relaxing and I enjoy it so much when I return to my piano."

This 28 year old software engineer lives all by herself in London yet says "my piano is my family." When asked about her future plan such as marriage apart from work and music she says "It's a tough decision, because I work full time and I the only time I have to spare with the piano.

It's difficult to have 3 different lives. So I'd have to sacrifice either of the 3. It'll either have to be computers and marriage, marriage and piano or piano and computers. So perhaps in another 5 years' time I'll decide what exactly I want to do."

Concluding the conversation she beams as she says "I'm very thankful to Aunty Bridget Halp‚. If not for her concerts I don't think I would have reached this stage. Next year I'm completing my 20 years of music life with her." Chaturika began music with "Aunty Bridget" as a 9 year old.

It was indeed mesmerizing to listen to her playing and of course to see her petite fingers glide smoothly over the keyboard for over one hour. It was indeed a treat. While the pianist seemed to be relaxed gliding her fingers over the piano, it was more than just relaxing for the audience to hear and see her perform that evening.

She moved the audience and held them spellbound, making the audience cry "encore" at the end of her performance!!!!!

Though extremely busy with her work at the moment she will always have music and piano as her top priority. She will continue to perform at many events (for which she has already been asked ) and hopes to make a mark as a performer somewhere along the way.

Which I earnestly wish will be soon!!!!!