ASHA TENNAKOON ALREADY A SHINING SINGING STAR IN A SPARKLING VOYAGE WITH DEEP FOUNDATIONS LAID – by Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane
Asha Tennakoon though has no music intelligence through inherited affiliations certainly had been born with innate music talent. Asha is a native of Kegalle who’s parents are not living has only one elder sibling now a science teacher in a reputed school in Sri Lanka.Asha had been educated at St.Joseph’s College in Kegalle had followed music both singing and playing music instruments for ordinary levels even up to Visharada level having passed initial examinations of the Bhatkhande music University in Lucknow India. She had come second in the All Island school’s Ekala Kyal Ragadari music competition while in the ordinary level class in school.After her triumph she had been selected to the Sri Lanka Army music Band to sing but had not accepted the offer owing to her higher studies. Among the music instruments she had excelled in playing the Violin which too she had not pursued. But she had been compelled to study in the science stream for her Advanced levels particularly as her elder sister had followed science stream as it was thought then she would find it be an easy path emulating her. During this period with innate music in her she had to be away from music .Since leaving school she had worked as a Marketing Executive at Ms Tritel Services( Pvt) Ltd for two years before she migrated to Melbourne for her higher education having studied at the Hales College, Melbourne when she got the opportunity for her to endure music as a career .
During this period Asha was eager in concentrating on obtaining Australian citizenship by forfeiting the Sri Lanka citizenship. In Melbourne there are many musical activities like indoor concerts in abundance much when she had met all popular musicians, events organizers, lyricists etc which helped her to be involved with music having obtained assistance for her songs and music videos sans much of a dilemma. This was a boost to a music career .She has got the opportunity to sing with stalwarts who are invited from native Sri Lanka.For this endeavour she was facilitated as the musicians were based in Melbourne. She had added that her husband Milan Karunanayake had been of immense benefit helping and encouraging her. She has admitted that with two small kids she had balanced all her challenges and obstacles in the home environment, office (Good Start Early Learning) and music with resounding success. All these she balances well with her other hobbies travelling, shopping, cooking, driving ,baking and relaxing.She had already travelled all over Australia and to many parts of New Zealand too.
In year 2015 Asha has recorded her inaugural song titled ‘Hitha Pereda” which comprised of her own lyrics.This paved her way to the resounding accomplishments she possesses currently. Her second song was titled ‘Mage Arthmaya. Music composition of Ruwan Hettiarachchi. Asha’s third song was a duet with Tharaka Mallawarachchi a resident of Melbourne, the music composition was by Indrajit Mirihana who dominates musical arena in Melbourne in the habit of felicitating many Sri Lankan vocalists and lyricists.Asha had sung in many such felicitating concerts like Rohana Siriwardena and Dayaratna Perera to amaze numerous audiences.
After release of her first music video in year 2015 she became a sought after artiste for many prominent music concerts.She in year 2016 had performed on the same stage with invitees Bachi Susan and Umariya had even sung a duet with the former. Then later she had sung on the same concert when stalwarts Anjeline Gunatilleke,Shashika Nissansla and Nirosha Virajini and Yuresha Ravirari sang, which was a feather to her previously decorated cap .
Music for Asha’s fourth song was also by Indrajit Mirihana and the lyrics by Saman Kularatne.All her songs recorded in Melbourne are with music videos could be viewed in the U tube.The latest song video though released freshly has become an instantaneous hit among all music lovers .The song is titled “Selena” the video is a Saga Production solely owned by Saga Guruge.Asha had quipped at a recent television interview that she had flown to Colombo only on the previous day when all weighty groundworks and provisions had been made and was shot at a familiar site mainly a fully equipped beautiful location where prodigious music videos are usually shot.For this other than Saga Guruge himself, the choreographic arrangements had been the exertion of Ruckshana Dissanayake who had been ably aided by Chamathsra Navodi, Sara Saleem, Thakshila Maduwanthi, Geethanjali Lakshitha which ultimately had become a superb creative video viewed already by many enthusiasts.
It is learnt that Asha has intentions of recording a song with a popular male vocalist soon in Sri Lanka with another video.Very recently Asha had sung a cover song of Upekha Nirmani song titled “Thawa Eka Parak” with a music video which has gone wild in Melbourne particularly which had made Asha a more sought after vocalist.The music had been remake by musician Windika Maduranga a resident in Melbourne.
At a recent television interview Asha was asked when she would return to Sri Lanka with her immense fame and popularity. She added that as she is no longer a Sri Lankan having revoked the Sri Lankan citizenship she would like to come and go off and on as she is fully established gladly in Melbourne and having got used to life ‘Down Under.’
In the context of the above Asha Tennakoon is already a star and a vocalist well known not only in Australia but in native Sri Lanka too is not only a sought after vocalist but has stamped her class as a supreme artiste.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane 0061444533242
