Abhisheka Vocalist, Play- back Singer, Lyricist, Author Cum Entrepreneur – by Sunil Thenabadu
Being able to control pitch to develop further is one of the prime fundamental aspects of singing, we do know that a good singer like Abhisheka Wimalaweera typically should possess exceeding control over the pitch of her voice sing- ing sans strain going through her range with relative ease.
Since she was a toddler her parents Sunil and Damayanthi Wimalaweera ,the former was a film director, lyricist and author had identified Abhisheka’s innate talents for singing had been adamant to pursue a singing career for their only child. her Father’s elder brother was Sarath Wimalaweera, the renowned announcer.
As she grew up, she had improved her vocal control under the guidance of her mentor Sangeeth Nipun Sanath Nandasiri at his music school in Nugegoda which had made a huge impact on her talents with different vital elements of singing such as pitch, breath control. dynamics, sustainability and so on to become the accomplished film and play- back singer she is.
The sought after artiste Abhisheka was born on 11th November 1988 very significantly rarefied number as 11/11/11 .(Year /time) During her early life was very unfortunate as Father attached to UDA as a Director was politically victimized had suffered for fourteen years. Although there were many drawbacks, none of them were made felt to Abhisheka. She had received her initial education at Sacred Heart Convent Galle for three years and then at St.Paul’s Girls School Milagiriya. There had been a period of two years when “Abhi” was compelled to stay at home sans a school which had been a very agonizing factor for Father. The family had to navigate over many obstacles having had very challenging periods.
After leaving school in 2006 Abhisheka received Sangeet Visharad from Bhatkhande Music Insti- tute Deemed University, Lucknow, India. In year 2013 she received a Bachelor Arts degree in Music from the University of Colombo. She in year 2019 joined the University of Colombo as a music lecturer. Having pursued her music ca- reer in the year 2020 completed a master’s de- gree in Music at the Kelaniya University.
Before her marriage at the ballroom hall of Ho- tel Hilton to Electrical Engineer, handsome Ga- yan Nirantha Alahakoon (Niran to many) from
Matale, now attached to the CEB Nawala. She had possessed means to put up a two storied house designed mostly by herself. She fulfilled her life’s ambition to look after her parents when she was still young. She has confessed that it was her father who was her huge shadow, all successes achieved are owed to him. She had confessed that even when Abhi disliked to go for a new event, it was her father who more or less forced her which was a prime factor for all her achievements. She recalls how father accompanied her from Himbutana to for music classes and for other events. The parent duo had looked after her so well had pleaded to Niran before marriage to look after her in the same vein. Niran had seen Abhisheka singing on TV had proposed via a University friend, posted photos on FB then met her parents. Abhi in a recent interview admitted that Ni- ran was an adorable husband but she is still trying to understand him properly, perhaps like all other wives.
The duo was blessed with a daughter in year 2014 named Fairy Abhilasya Alahakoon. It is learnt that currently Niran and daughter now six years old are very attached to one an- other, unlike Abhi who was attached to both parents alike. Abhi had also confessed that unlike many other parents in law are very attached to hers just like her parents, she was full of praise for Niran’s mother.as no different to her own mother. One fervent wish of Abhisheka after the birth of her daughter was primarily to give her the best education possible as her journey was along a thorny path with obstacles to hurdle
Even prior to marriage Abhisheka was on her way to stardom to the pinnacle in populari- ty becoming a sought-after singer for films, tele dramas as a playback singer also for her own songs mostly videos viewed by millions on you tube. Her playback singing ca- reer with her tonal screen voice had begun with the song “mangalam pathala”, in film Sanjana 2009, also “Nil Nuwan Pathu Sema” in film Sinasuma Adaren ,in year 2011 “Prarthana Bidee” in film Challenges, in year 2014 “Hawasaka Ma” in film Rupantharana, in year 2018 “Madu Sandakan” in film “Wassanaye Sanda”. She also sung playback for “Double Trouble”, “Ethuwatha be Nethuwath Be”, having an ideal screen voice. Ab- hisheka’s video song “Chandra Mandale” a reply song to the lyrics of Rathna Sri Wi- jesinghe with over four hundred YouTube viewers was a real hit.
Then her theme songs for Tele Dramas also need to be emphasized. In “Ama” tele- drama the theme song “Dekapul Kandulen” was so popular prior to her wed- ding. The theme songs for tele dramas “Rejina” “Siththaravi”. “Sathyawee” were also hits in year 2014.
It needs to be emphasized on her solo songs along with videos she also excelled as a lyrics writer V.I.Z. “Nethra”, “Nissara”,”Ridi Ridee”, “Aye Numba Ne kiya”,”Kaha Pata Arunalie”,”Seema Nehe”. All lyrics other than that of song “Nethra” were by Abhisheka herself with Father’s inherit- ed talent. It should be emphasized that Father had induced her to sing mostly classical songs emulating the legendary singers Pandit W.D. Amaradeva and Visharada Nanda Malini.
Prior to singing in the above accomplishments Abhisheka was perpetually requested to sing in ITN programs, “Thamburuvila” and “Sanhinda” etc., where Abhi was a sought-after singer having impressed the producers.
When Abhisheka was very young for Father’s insistence she was selected to ITN’s Children’s programmes initially “ Lahiru Mandala”,“Samanala Uyana”,”Sellam Gedera”.”Hedakara Sandyawa”,”Dedunu Hendewa”,” Lassana Gedera” which are early reminiscences of Abhisheka’s multifaceted talents which need to be surfaced.
Of course Abhisheka’s saddest day in life was when her be- loved, so loved Father passed away in December 2015 after a brief illness succumbing to dreaded cancer, when he had been so healthy, hail and hearty throughout his life.For so much of love she and Mother had the duo did not like him to suffer and had even done to Nawagamuwa Devale to request GOD to accelerate his inevitable death which no other child would have vouched for.
As many know Abhisheka is not only a singer, a lyrics writer but above all she is a suc- cessful entrepreneur cum fashion designer having an established her own concept “Abhi TOP to TOE wellbeing. The Chief architect behind this concept commenced in March 2016 is Abhi herself who is a much-acclaimed renowned beautician in the cosmet ic industry. In addition, she also has an established fashion entrepreneur tilting emphasis on “Kurta and jeans” sporting for western looks and body shapes in contrast to her un- precedented singing endowments.
Abhi has from year 2020 shown prowess as an author emulating her late Father. Her first novel “Karmaja” which was to be released in January 2021. However, her first novel was “Nisadas” to be released by K books. Abhi is grateful to her Father in teaching her the basics in writing. Also, she is thankful to Indra Alahakoon and her mother for editing her book. Her first poetry book “Mathaka” was also released in year 2020.
The latest feather in Abhisheka’s cap was when her short story had been selected by the Godagama Publishers hand copy story competition 2020. where Abhi’s story was se- lected among the best six stories.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane
