KASUN MANGALA OPATHA.WHO HAD FACED EXTREME , HARDSHIPS, HAD NEVER GIVEN UP ,AS MANY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE HAS TRIUMPHED IN LIFE AS A RENOWNED MUSICIAN – By Sunil Thenabadu
Failure is a phrase that comes with negative implications. It’s often connected to defeat and frustration, but many forget that a catastrophe is a crucial part of growth that can result in an embarrassment of positive actions. In fact, failure has a multitude of benefits that can help one to learn and even strengthen skills, regardless of the journey you’ve embarked on. Kasun has had not hereditary affiliations to music only inborn distinctive talent. While attending to his school Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda where he had studied seriously music from grade six having a passion for music with intention in mind firmly to become a musician who could compose music, a music director and to own a studio cum to be a vocalist of repute.
In school he had participated in sports like swimming and cricket .But fate for Kasun had been very cruel when he was only thirteen years old, had fallen from a moving train resulting in many injuries to his body, hospitalized for one hundred days in the Karapitiya Teaching hospital also having had to amputate a leg which was a huge handicap for his future movements particularly having to walk with the aid of clutches. Lately he now has an artificial leg. Examples of people who had to overcome much throughout their lives to get to where they are today. Some had grown up in extreme poverty like Kasun From the age of fourteen while still a schoolboy had been a member of a popular band as the keyboard player as well as the vocalist singing songs on many languages had continued to be the band member for a decade.
Owing to sheer poverty his father had gone abroad in search of greener pastures when he used to remit money for family expenses. There had been a phase when Kasun’s family was deprived of his income hence had been in dire straits. There had been a period when the family had to starve for weeks had said they have had no tears in the eyes to cry. The relatives when approached had turned a blind eye offering no sympathy. However one relative once had offered vegetables, rice , thriposha in a bag by which they were able to tide over for a few days. Mother at a time has had to sell something they possessed in the dwelling to buy food stuffs. Incidentally later once Kasun got established in the music arena had compiled a melody for a song’ Hal Mitakata’ for his own lyrics and melody and sung, was watched by about forty thousand which prompted Kasun to produce a video of which became an instant hit even today. He had received assistance from most of his classmates, village acquaintances, special mention was made about Daminda Samaranayake. Even Kasun himself had not believed of the tremendous success which he adds his name became instantly known. Kasun has stated that this idea had come to him instantly but another such similar creation will not be able to be made with success. Kasun at a media dialog had added that it was after this song his name became widespread. He is in the obsession of writing lyrics for others , Kasun believes that similar creativeness is not possible also the audiences will not accept such comparable types to come to light Kasun had added in a television dialog that many mothers had called him in appreciation of the lyrics , most had cried while speaking. Also many young students had copied the lyrics on paper had brought to their classes..
Kasun’s first wife had died after few years of marriage the duo has had one daughter, she had bid adieu after a few years when the daughter was only three years old. Kasun had married again has a son in his second marriage but she had left him when son was five years old. Now they are 15 and 8 years old attending the same school concentrate well on studies. Kasun had been worried over her deserting but had said he loved her and had lived a good life. He had mentioned since leaving she had not inquired about even her son. Kasun had lived with his parents thereaftersince. Kasun had said that it was his parents and friends in school and village who had helped particularly as he was busy in his chosen music field.
Kasun had learnt to play the guitar possessing his own guitar via his academic skills which enabled him to make his own music compositions. In year 2022 he had thought to apply for the Hiru Star season 3 as by then Kasun had become a competent vocalist having recorded his songs into music videos like ‘Raththaran’ in November 2021,’Oba Mata Hamuwana Nam” in year 2022 been considered a singing star to be reckoned with. Kasun had believed then that Hiru Star was the best reality singing contest for talented singers.As it was held involving three the heavy weight adjudicators in Nirosha Virajini, Shehan Mihiranga, Amal Perera and Saranga Dissasekera as the presenter, all with huge reputations.
In the first round the song Kasun selected was “Hamara Banavara’ sung by Ravi Royster for the excellent and rare lyrics penned by Iresha Hemamali a very popular rendition even today This song was sung to precision by Kasun accepted by all audiences getting the votes of all three adjudicators. Kasun though helped by the clutches to sing had not received any sympathy form the organisers for his handicap . Kasun said after his first round triumph added that the manner his daughter and son behaved ,derived an immense happiness after hearing him sing. He was delighted when he saw the joyful faces of the duo.Kasun was automatically nominated to round two. Kasun strode to the stage when his turn arrived to sing the song of Jagath Wickremasinghe “Oba Ma Hamu Wenam’ which unfortunately did not impress at all three in the panel of adjudicators for Kasun’s ,the daughter and son’s vast displeasure
In the past two years Kasun has been very busy recording his songs most with lyrics of others sent to him but with his melodies most of them have been accepted by many music fans which could be heard via the Apple Music, Spotify, Sound Cloud, in the you tube channel ‘Kasun M Opatha’ of Kasun.etc having already millions of subscribers. Kasun is now very busy with constant invitations for media events, musical concerts, and television dialogues.Lately the other day Kasun was invited to ITN’S ‘Chat N Music’ where his aptitudes were disclosed to listeners ,also singing many songs accompanied with his guitar.
Some other music videos of Kasun Opatha are ‘Hal Mitakata’ in July 2023,’Husma Mage Appachchi’ in February 2024, “Manika’ also in February 2024, ‘Hada Mandira Pura’ in February 2024 , ’Kaladasawa’ in December 2024..Lately his song videos recorded are ‘Minissu”,‘Ahimi Paskuwa; ,Obe Pen Kathawa’ ’etc
Kasun is now full time into music who receives regularly many song lyrics from knowledgeable Face book fans, busy making melodies and to sing.All his followers and friends would wish Kasun to elevate his position to unprecedented tall elevations for him to reach the pinnacle of fame
Kasun could be contacted on 0775706791
