IROSHI ALREADY A STAR FOLLOWING FOOTSTEPS OF LEGENDARY FATHER PRIYA SURIYASENA – By Sunil Thenabadu
Image Source : Iroshi Suriyasena facebook
Iroshi Suriyasena is the second sibling of late evergreen renowned vocalist Priya Suriyasena who had excelled in Sri Lanka’s music arena as a sought after popular singer and musician for over a period of five decades Iroshi has one elder sister Minoshi a doctor by profession, one younger brother Luckshita having a doctorate in ‘Nano’ engineering presently a lecturer in physics at the Colombo university having pursued a PhD at Stanford University, USA, is a scientist. The youngest sister is Gayashi who is also qualified works as a consultant in the mercantile sector It is pertinent to state that Iroshi ,Minoshi and Luckshita all had secured scholarships to Australia, Russia and USA respectively to acquire professional qualifications. Iroshi is attached to a private bank as a Senior manager Her mother Kumari Dissanayake too had been a teacher by profession, that is how the parental duo had met and tied the nuptial knot…
It has been revealed that all siblings could sing well.But it is only Iroshi who had been interested in pursuing in singing. Father although had known on the inherited singing skills within all siblings had never encouraged them to make a career in singing.Priya had told them to study initially after then having chosen their careers could commence to sing that too not as a profession. Iroshi recalls that after her triumph in ordinary Level she had sung a duet with Father with lyrics about a Father and Daughter which Father did not want to make public. Iroshi reminisces that Father lent his fullest corporation for academic studies even when he returned home in the wee hours of the morning having participated in musical concerts.He had never sung songs at the dwelling as he believed would be a threat to their studies. Iroshi had reminisced in a television confrontation that Father had even made a wall in the dwelling a black board by painting it black.
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Though Father Priya was invited regularly to participate in television programs he had accepted invitations only very rarely. Lately in the year 2020 hen Sirasa TV invited him to participate in the popular program “Jeevithayata Idadenna” he had consented only if he was to attend with daughter Iroshi. During that program he had even shed tears when he was taken by surprise to watch and hear the singing aptitudes of Iroshi which was to tall unprecedented elevations. At that program Iroshi did sing a duet with Father .a rare occurrence , but he was stunned when Iroshi was asked to sing a Hindi song. It was at the 29th Annual Sumathi Awards that Priya Suriyasena was conferred with the ‘ONCE A LIFE TIME AWARD ‘.It was indeed a very emotional moment to Father Priya. On that day too it was Iroshi who was by the side of the Father who was brought in a ‘wheel chair’. Likewise it is Iroshi the pet daughter of late Priya Suriyasena As Father was ailing and unable to attend to musical concerts and many television programs it was Iroshi who substituted him in all channles. In the recent era Iroshi had sung Father’s song very delightfully to enthral many audiences. It was on the 25th of January Iroshi was invited to sing in the show in Dubai “ MIYASI ARUMASI” as the only female artiste.The other participants were all well known like Amarasiri Peiris, Sunil Edirisinghe, Pavan Mallawarchchi, Saranga Disasekera the music score was by Nalaka Sajee Jayasinghe. This invitation made her win another feather to her already decorated cap.
Apart from Iroshi’s television triumphs she had participated in many other television programs. What comes to mind is her participation with brother Luckshita when the duo sang many songs of Father for the ‘legends tribute’ popular program of the SLRC ‘Sandaru Suyamaya” which is program that lasts for nearly three hours in which many details of Father Priya Suriyasena was explained by the two siblings. Some songs she sang as duets with brother Lakshitha. The titles of some songs were ‘Heta Dawase’, ‘Mata Wasana’, ‘Praneetha Mee Bindu’, ‘ Lihini Rena’, ‘Sanda Tharaka Handawee’, “Gala Wata Bendawu Muthu Pote’,’ ‘Sudu Paravi Rena’,’ Heta Dawase’, “Mage Sudu Hamine’( this song was sung by Iroshi splendidly at the Priya Suriyasena tribute program at Sirasa popular program “Sajjayana)’ It need to be added Iroshi had sung all songs of Father to acclaim applause from all walks of listeners.
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Iroshi had recorded many solo songs like ‘ Obatamai Jeewithe’, ‘Erabudu Mal Pipila’, ‘Dakina Ruu Seya’, ‘Nube Susume’, ‘Churaliya’.’Dehenawa Hamana’, Maayam a cover song etc I t should be reminisced that for some of Iroshi’s cover song there had been a huge fan base with 100K viewers..Iroshi could play a lot of musical instruments too having inherited Father’s ability. But she could sing by playing the guitar too .At many television programs she had sung mostly Father Priya Suriyasena songs to precision
All would wish and bless Iroshi to follow Father’s footsteps of course singing her own compositions too as she possesses a supreme voice with inherited talent.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane
WhatsApp 0061444533242
email sthenabadu@hotmail.com
If you missed Sunils’ last Article – here it is! – Young Rozeth Dias a Badminton Champion in the making – By Sunil Thenabadu
