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Deepika Priyadarshani launches new album :
Voice for all seasons
Uvindu Illeperuma
Sensitivity oozes out of her songs.
She sings from her heart and pours humanity into other’s through her
melodious tracks. She summons empathy with love, compassion, kindness
and purity. These are the themes which are common in her work. The
delightful Deepika Priyadarshani Pieris is back with a new album titled
Sudu Hansini which includes seven new songs.
Venturing 25 years in tuneful tracks, Deepika noted that it had been
a secure and steady journey for her. She never pondered on keeping her
dignity in line in exchange for publicity.
She said: “The media always sought me out. I never requested for
television or radio programs or asked for space in the print media for
my articles. I earned fame through my talents, not by tricks of
marketing.”
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Deepika Priyadarshani |
Deepika showed the signs of a budding vocalist from childhood. Athula
Ransirilal, her teacher at Kalubowila Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Dhaham
Temple, was the first to identify her skills. His influence guided her
and helped her sharpen her talents. The Subashitha verses sung by the
young lass at the Dhamma school spoke of her potentiality as a singer.
She recalled how Ven Rathnapura Seevali Thera at Kalubowila Sri
Sambuddha Jayanthi Dhaham Temple encouraged her to get over her stage
fright and sing.
The little star got the opportunity to sing Sanda Mama and Sangeetha
Handawa on SLBC at the age of 10.
Singing was not her sole interest then. She also held a passion for
drawing while schooling at Anula College, Nugegoda.
By late 1980s Deepika was able to win Sri Lankan music lovers over
with her songs. Ajuthapara Lahila which she sang for Vijaya Dharmasri’s
teledrama Bhagya catapulted her to great heights.
She never laboured to become a singer. The talent was inborn.
“I was fortunate to be able to rub elbows with senior artistes as a
school girl. That is the greatest opportunity I have ever had in my
life. It brought me to where I am today. I cherish my fans. They have
been loyal to me throughout the years. I have never followed the trends
to gain more wealth.
“The Sinhala song has deteriorated because the Sri Lankan identity is
lost in most of the new creations. The new generation has a soft corner
for imported music styles. This is tragic. We are losing our
individuality in music,” Deepika noted.
She read her degree in B.Ed (Bachelor of Education) and completed her
M A at Kelaniya University. She flew to Bathkanda to earn a first class
Visharada title in singing and a diploma in music.
The experience she garnered as a teacher for 20 years is of
importance. She worked at Panadura Gokarana Mahavidyalaya for five
years, Anula College, Nugegoda for 10 years and another five years to
Vishaka Vidyalaya, Colombo.
She is very proud of her achievements. Sudu Hansini is a victory she
could record after a seven year period of hardships.
Speaking about the reason on why she decided to launch her CD, she
said: “Cursing these negative propensities is useless. We should do
something worthwhile for our fans. The songs are my productions. I do
not mind if they do not bring in profits. I am happy that I have been
able to do something worthwhile for my nation.”
Sudu Hansini is sure to carry her more miles ahead. But she notes
that she has many miles to go on her operation to enthrall the music
enthusiasts of the country. |
