Music is my forte...

by Lakmal Welabada

Music...music....music... Music is the only word that would come out from her. Thiloththama Prabha Kumari Jayasinghe, the 4th-runner-up and 'Miss Photogenic' at the recent pageant 'Ms.Lanka 2007' says that her pastime, passion and life is 'music'... "My ambition was to be a singer.

And still it is the only prevailing dream in my life. Out of all my childhood dreams" says Thiloththama. "I'm studying oriental music and have done second part of Visharada. I've learnt Western piano music upto grade five and can play the Key-board. Apart from that I'm singing in a band called 'New Life'," she says.

'Ms.Lanka 2007' is not the first pageant Thiloththama took part. She selected to the final 17 in the 'Miss Lanka 2007' and won he mini title of 'Miss. Photogenic' in the 'Lions Queen -2008'. She was in the top five of 'Oriflame Look of the Year - 2007'.

Question: What do you think of the final judgement at the 'Ms.Lanka 2007' pageant?

Thiloththama: Every pageant has plus and minus points. 'Ms.Lanka 2007' was not the first and only pageant I took part. I had experience before hand, and I was quite immune to everything.

However we have too respect and bow to the judgement imposed by the panel. I'm satisfied with what I got. I am really thankful to Mrs. Gwendoline Kuhatheva and the team of Technique International for organising and presenting such a pageant for us.

Question: You have won the mini titles of 'Miss Photogenic' twice in two pageants. Did not that give you an idea of taking into acting?

Thiloththama: Oh! I don't think I have the talent for acting. I do have got a few invitations to take part in teledramas, but had to turn them off. I would take up a few Commercials in the future. Apart from that I'm engaged in modelling under Roshan Dias who assisted us at 'Ms.Lanka 2007'...

Question: What attitude do your family have towards your career?

Thiloththama: My father, Newton Jayasinghe is an Administrative Executive at the Tea Tasting Corporation in Thalawakele. My mother, Sunethra is a housewife. Both my younger brother and sister are still schooling.

All of them are really happy about my career. They render their utmost support to me. So...I'm leading a happy life.

Thiloththama is from Digana, Kandy. The 'Kandy Lamissi' is a past student of Hatton Convent and Pushpadana Girls College, Kandy. She was a student who was keen in extra curricular activities.

Thiloththama took part in many athletic events while at school. Pushpadana orchestra in which she was the Accordionist won the first place at the inter-school orchestra competition in 2004. "I have been singing at musical shows since I was an eight-year-old," she says.

Question: You say you would carry on with your career through out. Would it affect your family life one day?

Thiloththama: No. I don't think so. I'm still a 20-year-old. My boy friend Asanga has been behind me and encouraging me in everything I do. It was he who sent most of the applications to these competitions. He is a banker in profession, but loves and respects my career a lot.

We have a good understanding between us. But still we are too young to take decisions of our own, so we always seek the guidance of our parents and elders. Also I do not try to tell others what kind of person I am.

People who associate me closely would decide it. I'm a strong character and believe that if we don't do wrong nothing will go wrong in our lives. I don't have hopes reaching up to the sky, as people around us tend to change with time. We have to accept it.

Question: You are a beauty queen now. How do you feel about it?

Thiloththama: Nothing much... I lead a normal life. I'm a person who love to live with my feet firmly on the ground. I'm a realist. Also I do want to continue my career with some clear consciousness.

It's a path which one has to tread carefully through, as one can experience more bad than one would experience good in this industry if one do not watch out. But if we proceed mindfully nothing would affect us.

Question: Is there any message that you like to give to the others who are willing to follow you?

Thiloththama: Yes. In a field such as this, there are a few that could be believed and trusted. I do not trust anybody other than myself. People tend to change. That's the nature of the world. We have to accept it. First of all we have to love ourselves and develop faith. It is only then that one can move towards any target.

Thiloththama studied up to her A/Ls in Arts. Hindi language, Oriental music and geography were her favourite subjects. "I've got 3-Cs, and am waiting for the university cut-off marks. However my ambition is to be a good singer," she concluded.