The band is a prodigy! The biggest super stars in Sri Lanka ! Bathiya N Santhush presents to you their first ever Hindi pop album ‘Ayubowan' (Namaste). This album has 15 beautiful songs and 2 fabulous videos and if that not enough it features non other than – Sri Lankan cricket sensation, Sanath Jayasuriya & Chaminda Vass.

Sri Lankan pop sensations Bathiya & Santhush (BNS) launched their debut Hindi music album 'Ayubowan (Namaste)' on the 14th of March 2007. The album is a collection of BNS' greatest Sri Lankan music hits 'recharged and remixed' in Hindi. The album is a fresh fusion of Hip Hop, RnB, Dancehall and Ethnic Folk and is to be released globally under the Universal Music record label. The launch of 'Ayubowan(Namaste)' is considered a milestone for the Sri Lankan music Industry as it marks Sri Lanka 's first music release in the global arena.

The launch of 'Ayubowan(Namaste)' was preceded by a morning press conference on the same day at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo . The event was attended by over 45 members of the Indian media and close to a hundred members of the local Sri Lankan media. Among the Indian media were reporters from MTV, Channel V, B4U, Z Music, Z News, CNN IBN, Aaj Tak, Times Now, Sahara, ANI, ETC etc. and long list Indian newspapers such as the Hindustani Times, ANI, Mumbai Mirror, Asian Age, Dainik Bhaskar etc.

Also present at the event was a host of Indian music celebrities such as reputed playback singer Babul Supriyo of 'Hum Tum' fame. Babul also performed live for audiences at the launch of 'Ayubowan(Namaste)' later that evening and further indulged viewers with a special guest appearance on BNS' remix of the Indian song 'Sawan Ka Mahina'. BNS Also received video wishes from Indian Celebrities Apache Indian (International Singer), Tanushree Dutta (Indian Actress), Sukhbir (Punjabi Singer) and Resh Monu (Malaysian Singer).

According to BNS, 'Ayubowan(Namaste)' has been in the making for the last four years. As they explain, the development of their album was a labor of love and involved some heavy commuting back and forth between Sri Lanka and India . 'Ayubowan(Namaste)' was co-produced by Indian music producer Paul Jacob from Bodhi Music, Chennai and features the crème of Indian and Sri Lankan instrumentalists. Also featured on the album are Sri Lankan soul-diva Ashanthi and pioneering hip-hop artist Randhir. BNS further acknowledge that Indian songwriter Diraj Jha penned the lyrics to all of the Hindi-language songs on their album. 'Ayubowan(Namaste)' was mixed by Bathiya at BNS' own recording studio Saregama Productions in Colombo while Chris Athens of Sterling Sound ( New York ) carried out the album's final mastering duties. BNS are especially thankful for the collaboration of Sri Lankan Airlines and the Ceylon Tourist Board towards the production and promotion of 'Ayubowan(Namaste)'.

Cricket legends Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas have shown their support towards BNS' debut Hindi album by featuring on the song 'Oh Sathi' and as well as its video clip. As BNS explain, working with Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas was both a privilege and an honor. The video clip for 'Oh Sathi' was directed by reputed Sri Lankan video producer Suren de Silva and depicts Colombo 's urban lifestyle. On the other hand, BNS' video clip for the song 'Meri Hoja Re' takes audiences on a scenic tour across Sri Lanka 's prime tourist hotspots and budget-wise is Sri Lanka 's most lavishly produced music video to date. The video clip for 'Meri Hoja Re' was directed by veteran music video director Nilan Cooray and now airs on all major Indian music channels.

MTV India 's 'MTV Select' show will feature a special two-week expose on BNS from the 22nd of March 2007 onwards. Similarly, India 's Channel V and B4U are set to air a series of programs on BNS during March and April. One of Sri Lanka 's highest-rating television networks, Sirasa TV, has already aired a three episode documentary on BNS' rise to global fame. The station was also responsible for broadcasting the launch of 'Ayubowan(Namaste)' to audiences nationwide in Sri Lanka .

According to BNS, the coming months will be jam-packed with promotional activities in all the major Indian states. BNS' first Indian tour following the launch of 'Ayubowan(Namaste)' in Colombo will kickstart with a concert in New Delhi on the 30th of March.

BNS are Sri Lanka 's most accomplished musical duo in the field of ethnic fusion music. In the last 5 years the duo have secured over 350 live performances, a music publishing contract with Universal Music Publishing and released 4 platinum albums; Vasanthaye, Life, Tharunyaye and Neththara. Vasanthaye and Neththara (2005) have both triple platinum status with record breaking sales. There movie sound track “Hiri Poda Wessa” in 2006 also marked yet another record braking sale for them.

Locally BNS are two household names loved by all Sri Lankans. They are the only heroes who emerged in the resent past in an island where heroism is generally dominated by cricketers. They were awarded the prestigious TOYP award in 2002 in Sri Lanka for the contribution for arts and culture. They are amongst the highest with regards to number of brand endorsements in Sri Lanka with many international and local brands under their belt.

BNS are laso launching their own clothing label soon. This is the first by any Sri Lankan artiste. Since their inception in 1998, the duo has scored fourteen entries in the Sri Lankan music charts along with 9 number one singles. Their album ‘Neththara' released in 2005 achieved triple-platinum status in just 5 months. The album has been ranked as one of the highest selling Sony BMG releases in Sri Lanka .

BNS have also enjoyed enormous success overseas. In 2005 they won the award for the best music arrangement at the Voice of Asia Music Festival in Astana Kazakstan. In 2001 they were runners up at both the Voice of Asia Music toured over 25 countries, their most memorable overseas show being to a crowd of over 27,000 in Sharjah , United Arab Emirates . They have also performed at the prestigious SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, Festival De Cannes, Millennium dome etc. Further, they have opened concerts for legendary acts such as UB40 and famous contemporary artists The Vengaboys and DJ Bobo in Sri Lanka .

As a musical duo, BNS are a meeting of two entirely different creative journeys. The magic behind the trade mark BNS sound lies in the blending of the two musicians contrasting personalities and visions.

Bathiya

A classically trained singer and piano player, Bathiya's is the driving force behind much of BNS's production and arrangement. The son of a decorated military general, Bathiya's upbringing was one that taught him discipline and perseverance. These values come to life in all of the young singer/producer's musical endeavors which show brilliant attention to detail. Anyone who has followed Bathiya's career closely enough, knows that his true potential unfolds during a live performance. His showmanship on stage is almost theatrical thanks to his ability to translate the energy and feeling behind a song into something physical. 'With his stage presence and charisma he can hold an audience captive and take them on an emotional roller-coaster ride' an eloquent young fan once said after a BNS concert in Auckland , New Zealand . When asked about his influences Bathiya cites a list of musicians from amazingly different backgrounds: RnB super group Boyz II Men, Hip Hop legends The Fugees and Sri Lanka 's own maestro Rukantha Gunatillake. Given such an eclectic taste in music it is no surprise that the trademark BNS sound echoes a variety of musical influences. Given the young musician's drive and tenacity, it's no surprise that his plans for the future are nothing short of ambitious. "We want BNS to be successful in the Indian market. Following that we may look at the Arabian Gulf and the UK depending on circumstances.".

Santhush

A classically trained vocalist and keyboard player, Santhush is the emotional pulse behind the music of BNS. He is often teased about being the quiet one out of the BNS duo. After listening to his music it becomes apparent that behind his quiet exterior lies a reservoir of thought and emotion. There is one basic principle behind all of Santhush's live performances - less is more. He has the ability to inject passion into a live appearance with the least effort. He is a master of nuance, picking and choosing delicate expressions to suit the mood and feel of a song. When on stage Santhush carries himself with an unusual calmness, like a man who has made peace with both himself and his music. It's this unusual calm and mystery that thrills audiences leaving them wondering what to expect next from the tall debonair vocalist. Santhush's musical influences are varied. He claims Eric Clapton and the late Ray Charles as two of his personal favorites. Being raised on opera and jazz this comes as no surprise.

Santhush advises that much of the Sri Lankan flavour in his music is influenced by Rukantha Gunatillake and Pundit Amaradeva. It is such musical tastes that allow the young singer to seamlessly blend together classical and modern music styles. Santhush's is fully transparent about his future career goals. "We want to rock the world" he smiles with boyish enthusiasm. "We have our sights on the Indian market. Following that we will certainly look at the Arabian Gulf and the rest of Europe like the UK etc..." Given the vocalist's skillful musicianship, BNS's efforts will certainly not go unrewarded.

Further information on BNS can be found on the web at www.bnsmusic.com