In a sense I am a solo artist - Ashanthi

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

The Trio, Ashanthi, Bhatiya and Santhush will be on tour shortly to perform in Doha, UK, Singapore and Dubai.

Ashanthi, the queen of hip hop in Sri Lanka (as Bhatiya would call her on stage) is all keyed up to face any challenge that might come on her way in the popular music industry.

In spite of her identity as a hip hop icon in R and B category, Ashanthi says she is prepared to take up other styles of singing if she had to.

“In a sense I am a solo artist,” she told In Tune.

“As a singer I seriously think that one’s singing should be represented in more than one style,” she said.

Sandawaturen

In fact her track “Sandawaturen Nahawa” made a noticeable difference in contemporary Sinhala pop music.

It’s a hallmark track that made critics think twice before making any comments on that. It was neither Palkavi nor Noorthi gee, but a pure track of R and B which Ashanthi sang in Sinhala.

Ashanthi’s aggressive articulation of Sinhala lyrics and the carrying power of her singing made the breakthrough.

Unlike other Sinhala rap, R and B, hip hop or house tracks, the popularity of Sandwaturen was not restricted to Colombo crowds. It was a track that received genuine appreciation from all corners, village or town, making people think positively of new wave music.

Pop video artistry

Ashanthi said, she has done a pop video for her song Alawathiyak, which she said would set new standards in female pop video culture in Sri Lanka.

It will be out in a week or two, the visuals have been directed by Nilan Cooray, she said.

I did a film theme for a local movie titled Heart FM with Kinsy and Centigrade. We appear on visuals of the movie, she said.

Connection

My friendship and connection with Bhatiya and Santhush has always been healthy and progressive right from the start. Bhatiya has done a lot of tracks for me.

Even if I had to concentrate on a solo career, I will have them near. May as well perform with them.

Oh there’s a strong bond between us as friends in the industry.

Bhatiya’s advice has been invaluable all this way.

Now

I am planning to have my first album concert. I am working on that. Solo gig-wise I am planning to perform in US and UK in due course.

Bhatiya, Santhush to introduce Hindi album

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

Bhatiya and Santhush will hold a concert to introduce their Hindi album to Sri Lankan fans on Wednesday (14) at the BMICH.

The two artistes had produced the new album targeting an Indian clientele for their music.

The album contains 18 Bhatiya and Santhush tracks dubbed with Hindi lyrics by the two. The album was first introduced in India.

Bhatiya and Santhush are yet to produce an international hit.

They are said to have positive responses from Indian music lovers for their tracks in the Hindi album.

Rasangi celebrates 18th musical year

Rasangi de Mel celebrated her 18th year in the field of music with a show held at C.W.W. Kanangara Maha Vidyalaya Auditorium, Matugama.

She presented her new creations and a selection of many of her popular songs. Music was directed by Piyal Fernando and Bandu S. Kanangara. Rasangi is the music teacher of C.W.W. Kanangara Maha Vidyalaya.

She emerged through the light music programme ‘Lama Pitiya’ by Nanda Malani where she qualified as an ‘A’ grade artist of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. She started her music, taking lessons from late singer Malanie Bulathsinghala.

She thanked all her teachers and those who helped her assend to her current position. She was a past pupil of Moratuwa Uyana KV, Moratuwa Princess of Wales and Maradana Ananda Baliak Vidyalaya.

She plans to produce a new album in due course. She is to perform at the Moratuwa Bauddha Mandiraya and at the Maradana Elphinstone Theatre shortly.

Hayasinth launches new album

Hayasinth Abeykoon launched her maiden song album on CD (Epa Handannata) at Sanhinda Reception Hall, Nugegoda recently.

She handed over a copy of her new CD to the Vice Rector of St. Peter’s College, Rev. Father Siri Cooray to mark the launching.

Hayasinth said she was planning to do a visual for the track, Sundara Lowak in her album in the near future.

Marvel melodies with Gypsies today

The Welfare Society, Old Boys’ Union and the Teachers’ Guild of St. Benedict’s College, Colombo 13 will hold a music concert titled “Marvel Melodies” featuring Sunil and Gypsies, today (10) at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium from 7 p.m.

The concert will also feature Radhika, Ronnie and Shihan Mihiranga.