An exemplary vocalist
by Nilma Dole
Hailing from Eppawela,
Anuradhapura, Dananjaya had a special place for music in his heart.
Singing to his hearts’ content and strumming the guitar and keyboard
which he learnt under his music teacher at the Sri Siddhartha school, he
would sing his idol Vijaya Kumaratunga’s songs eloquently.
 Thushara Dananjaya comes across as a shy and humble individual
despite much fanfare and recognition for winning the prestigious Sri
Lankan Life talent contest. In an age where reality talent shows have
hampered and head-axed talented singers to the extreme, vocalists like
Dananjaya are exemplary.
“I then attended the Parakramabahu school in Polgahawela which then
opened my eyes to western and eastern musical influences that I carry to
this day”, said a soft-spoken Dananjaya. While he was doing his AL,
Thushara Dananjaya managed to win the coveted title for which over
100,000 applicants had entered.
Singing musical wonders like `Oba Wenuwen’, `Rosa Gaha Yata Palu
Mawathe’, `Adharayaka Hangumak Sithehe’ and `Mal Pibidena Eka Wasantha
Samayaka’, at the last moment, Thushara said that it was the
overwhelming sms votes that came in his name that made him win. “I am
very thankful and grateful for the people who voted me and stood by me
to win this prestigious title’ he said.
It was the highest number of votes ever for an individual at 178,000
votes. The judging panel also gave, their valuable comments as it was a
75% judges’ decision and 15% voters decision. Thushara thanks everyone
who backed him up for the contest including Sathi Surendra, lyricist
Aruna and everyone at Rupavahini. “My dream is to take on India and I
hope that there will be a sponsor to help me study music there to give
Sri Lanka the recognition we deserve”, said Thushara.
He added, “We have to learn from India to take on the world because
ours is a musical history that is similar so then only can we uplift the
music in Sri Lanka.” He is open-minded in performing for charity shows
but only if they are genuine causes.
“The youth of today have to respect the elders who have created the
best Sri Lankan music and must take on and build on what our forerunners
have done.” Thushara Dananjaya hopes to have his own music company to
give back to the people who have made him the first Sri Lankan Life
superstar. |
