RAINI CHARUKA RENOWNED VOCALIST, ACTRESS, PERFORMER, ENTREPRENUER IN AN EFFERVERSCENT VOYAGE – By Sunil Thenabadu
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Excelling as a musician takes practice and demands opportunities – not just lucky genes. This quote is partly true when the career of Raini Goonatilleke is taken into importance. Raini may have undoubtedly inherited hereditary affiliations from her parental duo who are acclaimed vocalists for decades. But to be successful one has to have the dire passion which obviously possessed by her. Even if you’re privileged enough to belong to a family that includes musicians, you would still need to study, practice, and get expertise guidance to sing to precision, which propel vocalists towards resounding and booming accomplishments.
Maryon Raini Charuka Goonetillake was born in Kegalle on 10th April 1991 in the general hospital, had lived for seven months, then was moved to Mattegoda residence. At the age of 3 years she was featured on her father’s song “Banana Song”.Raini had initially attended the Montessori of St Bridget’s convent before she joined Wycherley International. School. Raini recollects that at the dwelling she was regarded as a ‘tomboy’ behaving like a boy did not love dolls but played with cars and toys which usually boys like. She has had all comforts with a sea -saw , swing and a bicycle.She had been a person contented with small possessions.
Her best friend is her cousin sister Udari even to date though domiciled in Japan. Raini had added all close associates are from within the family circle. She has only a very few friends not even five, she confess, as she possess a weird character. Raini had taken part in sports, basketball, Volleyball but she had been a champion swimmer having won many medals. Though she had participated in several singing competitions she had never been victorious not having even placed among the first three. But just before the departure to USA she had won a schools’ singing competition. Vindi is six and half years younger hence her relationship to her is not close. In USA she had been a very subdued student not bright had not taken part in school extracurricular activities. But in grade seven she had believed in having a prestige problem as all her colleagues were involved in many activities wearing badges for sports. But she was accepted well adding as a ‘smart ‘ girl also for her name ‘Maryon’. At home in Sri Lanka Raini and Vindi was instructed to speak in the English vernacular. But a promise was made to the duo, before landing in USA that the duo should only speak in Sinhalese. These promises Raini and Vindi had never busted. Raini had confessed that she has had a very happy younger days life having had all comforts, but she had never demanded anything from parents. Raini had recollected how her father Rookantha had blown out her phlegm from his mouth when she was struggling to breath. She wonders whether she could do the same after becoming a mother. Raini however recollects how father used to beat her and Vindi with a cane for mischievous activities.
Raini’s father Rookantha had been a staunch enthusiast of the United National Party.Though he supported the party never expected to be a Member of Paliament which Raini adds he was not suited to it. It is common in Sri Lanka after the emergence of a new government appalling political harassment is eminent though every citizen is independent could select his party to vote and support. After the general election in year 1999 after SLFP came to power on January 26, 2000, at around 9.00 pm, the dwelling of Rookantha and Chandralekha was raided by about fifteen members armed with guns and bombs, of the former President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s security forces, who cut off their hair of both parents. The culprits had thrown petrol or similar liquid at the bodies, looted a jeep belonging to them, having looted gold and other belongings, and fled. This traumatic incident had terrified and flabbergasted the Rookantha family. The personnel were found guilty, after an identification parade, the Panadura High Court sentenced them to four and a half years in prison. In year 2013. one of the defendants, who was completely disabled, was given a lenient sentence. In 2014, Rookantha granted a presidential pardon to the defendants and later released by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. One person in Welikada prison and eight others in Kalutara Prison were released on bail.
After this traumatic experience the entire family was worried and dumbfounded. Raini who attended Wycherley International school then had declined to go to school for one year as she thoughts were whether her beloved parents would be subjected to torture again.This was a severe concern to her parents. The duo was confronted with an issue as how to control and pacify Raini when they needed to go out. Rookantha, it was acknowledged he was in tension unable to sleep been up most of the nights, even was used to be scared when he even hears a vehicle passing. Raini had quipped at a television dialog she had prevented during that tenure, the parental duo attending to concerts. She had jested that during that era she had developed a unfamiliar forte where she could resist any fear , run fast even on roads with a lot of debris, perhaps an unique strength given by a superficial element.
Once this tension was defused worst was to follow to the dwelling at Mattegoda on 5th December year 2004, a music heaven with latest most treasured musical instruments was made into a rubble by a fire in the wee hours of that morning. The damage was estimated then to be around rupees six million. A visibly shaken Rookantha also had some burn injuries. Rookantha had managed to take the shaken up screaming Chandralekha, mother and kids out through a small door in the bathroom. Rookantha had desperately endeavoured to save some of his latest creations cum compositions. The analysts have confirmed that the fire had broken out due to the toppling of the altar lamp but the suspicious lies as to who toppled it?. To Rookantha it was not the real issue but the psychological trauma his wife and children had to undergo, The daughters have lost all their school books which was a gigantic concern to Rookantha. It was professed that this ordeal had occurred just when the scars were disappearing from the earlier torment four years back. Rookantha is a ‘God fearing man’ had thanked God for rescuing their lives. However, career-wise it was obvious to have serious consequences. The songs that were planned for his third album with Chandralekha, the duo was however able to complete though through a hassle. This incident paved the way for the family to migrate to USA in year 2005.In a television dialog Raini had divulged that Rookantha is a person who could not be separated from the piano hence he had joined a church as soon as they arrived in USA to be an integral part of the church choir, where he had contributed triumphantly.
The family returned Sri Lanka in 2018 with Rookantha’s intentions to enter politics again. In 2019, he was appointed as the Dambadeniya electorate organizer of the United National Party.
After she was born, her music maestro father Rookantha Goonatillake had composed a song with his own lyrics emphasizing her names Raini Charuka concluding with “Anya Munya” airing his emotions. It had been conveyed that Raini would feel these words only when she becomes a mother. Her names had been the findings of the endeavours of both parents.Her third name Charuka had been made from the letters of names of her parents Rookantha and Chandralekha.
Raini likes all songs of her mother Chandralekha Perera who possess predominantly many colours in her voice where music compositions are of father Rookantha.Rani’s has had no songs of hers when she was back in Sri Lanka in year 2018. At a welcome back show at the Sugathadasa stadium attended by a mammoth audience, where some even had to go back as no space was available. Raini had sung mother’s song ‘Kusumata Lanwee’ which incidentally had been mother’s first song sung. Raini was introduced by the broadcaster Kelum Sri Mal as a qualified pilot, which had penetrated the minds of so many young girls in the audience, after which many had wanted to make their careers in the sphere of aviators. Raini’s first solo song was “Neela Kandugete”, lyrics and music composition was by Rookantha Goonatilleke duet with Gayan Perera of ‘Daddy’ fame ,when she was just eighteen years old in the year 2009.This was when the family returned to Sri Lanka for a holiday and a concert.This song was to be sung by Rookantha but got Raini to sing as should have her own songs to sing in concerts.The video of this song was shot two days later after which Raini hurriedly returned to USA as her University career was to begin. Raini had recorded her song when it was played on a FM radio had been thrilled as she was very inquisitive to hear her own voice. Raini adds that the same excitement she still possesses when her new songs are broadcast.
Raini confessed that she has in her possession three confidential books where she records all her issues. She is exceptionally unconventional, after taking her own judgement only she updates her parents. Raini continues in this same vein as when a song video is released she informs her parents at the eleventh hour.
After the terrible incidents faced, the family migrated to USA in 2005 when Raini was in grade eight at Wycherley International school. It is pertinent to quote that Raini has had a robotic like mind perhaps more mechanically innate talent who could plan herself to design many day-to-day needs as in USA one has to attend to one’s personal desires. In USA Raini had joined the Junior Rotary Airforce also housed within the school premises had to be clad in a blue smart uniform, while attending to normal high school also clad elegantly. Raini had conveyed also in a television confrontation that the syllabuses in both schools were same but the difference was the manner the teachers taught. Raini had obtained her private pilot licence. After her initial flight after her training in the Royal Rotary Airforce despite objections from Rookantha. After landing her first solo0 flight, she had thought to herself that that was no such issue though she was content in achieving her ambition and goal. Raini had known that from the passion in singing and acting she derived a pridefulness that was hard to illustrate describing in words. Hence had thought if flying was sustained as a career, she would not be a contented individual hence had not protracted in the aircraft dome.
It is publicized that Raini after returning to Sri Lanka had remained silent for several years, when she commenced singing had released one song only during her first three years. Thereafter she had sung two to three songs than was also elected to sing tele drama theme songs. The theme songs in tele dramas, her fans had begun to love as comparable to her solo songs. Raini had confessed also to the media that she loves her personality always endeavours to stay focussed on her personal life. Subsequently Raini had thought to herself that ‘is it her life going to sing come back as a routine.’ This she realized should not her life to be in a routine sequence simply as a perpetual cycle. There had been a thought that to even to dress up to leave for a concert was boring to her becoming a bit monotonous. It was then she had thought to change her routine to focus on some alternate mission. Raini had added that she is a person who never loses her temperament but remains calm and patient, but lately she had become worried over some personal issues the result was that she had felt very perilous as she had beaten an innocent pet cat only a month old. Abruptly it comes to her mind what she had done. It was probably an internal issue mentally perhaps depression. Ultimately Raini had taken a very strong decision to be more precise. The duo had married after having been known well having the ideas that tallied thinking could live together. Akila had been a drummer in Rookantha’s band had met him in USA having come for studies. Raini says it is not so as her case is proof that it is difficult to understand even having known rather intimately for years. It was revealed that the two have different visionaries going in two directions which was precisely understood by Raini. Raini had said he is a very good person , some had asked, then why did you separate. This was owing to difference in opinions having different drastic thinking patterns. Raini had quipped that it was for the better of the duo, but she is not furious.
Raini had disclosed that though she had been a victim of anxiety and depression for years she had realised only much later.She added that she did not have a drive or motivation to do anything.She loved to visit home to have fun with Vindi or preferred to be at work or visiting friends. Otherwise she used to sleep for more than sixteen hours a day.This decision Raini had conveyed to parents only after one and half years. When asked why she did not inform them she had told as it would have hurt them. Also, Raini had articulated that both her mother and father had married after divorcing the respective partners. Hence owing to this issue she had dragged this news for over a year. Raini has denied speculations about her marriage. She confesses she will get married but will take time as she is interested in achieving her goals which are in her mind, but she is not ready right now.Also she claims she needs a long length of time to establish a relationship. Her parents believe and are scared that if she marries would divorce again. Raini is contented that she is now a brand as earlier she was considered only as a stem of Rookantha Chandralekha twosome. Apart from possessing the genes of the parental duo Raini has gone steps further to be acclaimed as a formidable actress and even generating her own short films. She had obtained certificate for acting from a performing arts University, Deleware state university in USA. Raini has added that the passion for acting is above singing, she loves to be on music videos as acting comes inevitably to her.
In another television interchange Raini recalled about her half- sister and half-brother by names Shyami Nadheeshani and Yohan Perera who are domiciled in Melbourne and Italy respectively. Both could sing very well like Raini having obvious hereditary affiliations.When Raini’s family visit Melbourne and Italy they lodge at their dwellings. The families are a well-knit as an unit is a role model to others, the togetherness is well displayed prominently in times of a calamity. Raini had added Vindi is a separate character altogether, quiet, not friendly, reads books comparable to be an intellectual. Raini attributed to this relationship as completely contrasting black and white characters.
Raini was instrumental in coaching mostly teenagers at the very popular ‘Voice’ musical program of Sirasa television. This was to Raini challenging endeavour, as she was needed to train mostly the aspiring talent who needed to be groomed in numerous techniques. Raini had earlier involved in assisting in many private sector music competitions and television programs.
Raini had disclosed in a television dialog that she to date never sings songs to go viral or trending. Also, she had not endeavoured to make them popular via Tik Tok, Instagram or Facebook. However, to all Raini song videos there have been views exceed well over one million. She very often receives good comments but there are times when bad comments are also published which Raini says is same to all artistes.
After Raini had heard the song of Dinesh Gamage “ Dennena Thuru Maa” with the lyrics of Manuranga Wijesekera she too wanted him to compile comparable lyrics for a song. The song “Kaluwarata Hitha Baya Hinda” was penned by Manuranga Wijesekera. In fact on hearing this song Raini had said she would have clamoured to sing that song if she was given the opportunity. The music score of this song was by Raj Thilliyampalam. Raini had in grade six under Mr Khan who had taught her Tamil language, to read and write but not spoken Tamil. It was Raini’s fervent hope that this song should be recorded in Tamil and made into a Tamil video totally coinciding with the Tamil genre. The male counterpart in this video was Dharshan Thevaraja. Immediately after the release of the two music videos Raini launched on extending this video to a short film with three more episodes produced by herself. The director been Dhanushka Ratnayake co starring Dharshan Thavaraj , herself, Manuranga and a new star Anjula. This is her career based plan.
After the songs were released there had been two a audiences from two races , two types of comments to which Raini had pleaded as was a wonderful venture new to many. To Raini this was a dream come true.This was a highly successful venture having had well over four million viewers in year 2021 .Raini was also interested in making a Tamil version of her song ‘Chanchala Desa’ but could not get it off the blocks as several language versions had already been made across the globe.
Raini has not recorded many songs, all were with videos herself acting which she loves.All songs have been hits to date including the Tamil version of the song “Kaluwarata Baya Hinda” .The other songs sung are “Mathakada Handaawe”, ”Sarojini”,”Dawasak Ewi”, “Kusumata Lanwee”,”Nobala Ma Diha”,” Sithuwili Pawee Giya”, “Malwaram” etc. As a person Raini is simple unassuming cares for others also pardons others.She is a staunch Christian who prays daily.Like her parents never misuse the popularity, remains simplem down to earth not proud at all. Leads a simple life soft spoken , sensitive and emotional unlikely to shed tears. All her fans would wish her good health and strength to execute her future plans to precision. Raini is constantly called to several programs in many television channels like Nugasevana, Coffee studio. Ma Novena Mama, Laya saha Leya, chat programs in numerous channels and those who own video channels.
Her links are as follows
Facebookfacebook.com/
Spotifyopen.spotify.com/
Apple iTunesmusic.apple.com/us/
Instagraminstagram.com/
Twittertwitter.com/
MySpacemyspace.com/raini_
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane
e mail sthenabadu@hotmail.com
