SHALIKA ISHAN MULTIFACETED MUSICIAN AT PINNACLE OF FAME AT YOUNG AGE ACCOMPLISHED FEATS NO MUSICIAN HAD ACCOMPLISHED IN THE ARCHIVES OF HISTORY IN SRI LANKAN MUSIC ARENA – by Sunil Thenabadu
Image Source : Shalika Ishan Facebook
Like all musicians Shalika Ishan too score highly on openness which means they are usually curious, highly imaginative and considered valued .They also tend to be at a high ebb on the measure of social responsibility, indicating that they desire for fair outcomes having a general concern for others in society. Behind all the songs and music that we hear, there are some untold narratives such stories of those musicians who dedicated their lives to music. Stories of each of their career paths are identified by them. In a competitive and saturated industry like music, one needs a lot of luck to thrive. Young Visharad Shalika Ishan (AGSI Kusumsiri) ) competent in vocal and organ is one who has established himself in the industry via his own talent having thrived effectively in the music industry been in the focus for over one and a half decades, having commenced music just after leaving school with innate talent without any hereditary affiliations. Shalika is a native of Deraniyagala, born to poor parents, apart from Father and Mother he has only a sister. Shalika has had his initial education in eight schools in his native village and in schools in the Kegalle district before moving to Ananda College Maradana for his Advanced level. Though from his very younger days he has had an obsession for music he was reluctant to request his parents to buy him any music instrument owing to their huge financial constraints. Shalika recollects how he made a musical instrument by hardboard copying them from the instrument he viewed in school. Of course, Shalika had abundant of innate talent for music though not having any music genes. Shalika possesses a robust passion and an appetite for music in an abundant magnitude. Any person with a passion for music in comparing to those in the annals of history in musical careers, there had been no stable income for one to start to embark upon this path. Many commence music as a passion but to transform passion into a career is a path through a vast strain and struggle, but Shalika had navigated over constraints with complete dedication and hard work which he knew was the only way to climb to stardom. The foremost characteristics needed to be successful musician are confidence, practice, ,modesty, perseverance, not giving up attitude which were all haunted by young Shalika Ishan who is a pleasing and an inspirational individual with down to earth, unassuming with utmost modest attributes though at the zenith . Shalika is now domiciled in Moratuwa, is married, his spouse is Sachini Silva an University lecturer at University of Kelaniya in social science and criminology.
After leaving school with his desire for music allied with instinctive talent had joined Bellwood institute affiliated to the National Youth Services Centre to study various fields in music to develop skills with the ulterior motive to become a competent musician. Simultaneously Visharad Shalika had studied a diploma course for Sangeeth Visharada at Bhatkhande University, in Lucknow India in vocal and instrument to become a Visharad. Shalika’s professional career in music could be illustrated as a vocalist, musician, composer, lyricist, conductor, and a director of music. He is well known as a solo musician who has provided music perhaps to all singers in all television channels, one could not be challenged by any other musician for his solo accomplishment seizing this mammoth expertise. Shalika had directed music in several television, radio cum FM channels. Some of the programs for which Shalika backed up and presently backing are with the aid, of his band “SHALIKA with SHA” are “ Mal Bara Derana”, “Sirasa Sathi Aga Sadaya”, “Rupavahini Chakra Watiya”, “Rupavahini knowledge First”, “Nugasevana”, “Kedellaka Sandella”, ”Rhythm Chat”,”Thurunu Tharu”, ”Doramadalawa”,”Shanida Sadaya”,”Ridma Rathriya”,”Rasanandaya”, ”Hathdinnath Tharu”,”Kedellaka Sandella”,”Rhythm Chat”, ”Doramadalawa”,ShanidaSadaya”.”Ridmarathriya”,”
Shalika had been entrusted to provide music for several documentary programs of the SLRC and other institutions for which he had received accolades, laurels, and awards. The hall mark of Shalika’s success could be attributed for his perseverance and dedication to any task with the ‘never give up attitude’ firmly instilled within himself. These attributes possessed by him are well known to related authorities in all television and radio channels who sans any fear delegate tasks even of huge magnitudes to him. Shalika is now well conversant through repetition in composing melodies and directing music with ease.
Shalika had composed and directed music for songs of famous Lyricists like Bandara Eheliyagoda, Rathansri Wijesinghe,Ven Rambukkana Siddartha Thera, Mihira Sirithilaka etc and for songs sung by Shashika Nisansala, Saman Lenin ,Dumal Warnkulasuriya, Krishan Erandaka. Rohan Shantha Bulegoda, Somasiri Medagedera. Viraj Bathiya etc., also had given a significant hand to boost many novice vocalists too. Apart from the above programs in Rupavahini channels, Shalika had been invited to sing in the popular SLRC television program telecast on 16th January 2022 the “Sihinayaki Re” dueting with renowned Sithara Madushani where he performed commendably receiving accolades from the popular veteran presenter Mahesh Nissanka.
Shalika confesses he had not been guided by anyone to what he is today, he had studied playing musical instruments all by himself of course with innate endowment. Shalika has confidently added that by looking at someone playing an instrument one could learn as he did. One who had not gone behind opportunities but does not deny that he had got adequate chances and openings. Though he wanted desperately to own an organ when young he knew requesting the parents was not prudent as they were financially very frail. When very young he had drawn the picture of the organ in school music room on a sheet of paper, with hardboards from milk packets had made a toy organ and sung believing he was accompanied by an organ, Now Shalika states that currently the organ he owns and plays is an exclusive, is one of two organs available in Sri Lanka .Though Shalika’s mother had sung songs to put him to sleep with the song ‘Rajamaduraka Ipadee sitiyanam” of Malini Bulathsinhala, mother had disliked Shalika following music. Though there are challenges in the music field Shalika is one who has a ‘snail’s pace’ slow journey not competing with any other musician. Shalika is never after greener pastures been satisfied with what he receives for a modest living. During his tenure at the ‘National Youth Services Centre’ he had got the opportunity to travel island wide, on music cum to explain human resource management strategies ,with money been not at all his emphasis. This experience has made him competent to provide music for any song he is requested to. There are many to whom he had composed music and for many teledramas too. To this at a television dialog , he had emphasised on behalf of all vocalists should be prepared to provide music for any song. Shalika stressed that any vocalist sings only his or her songs but he and other musicians have provided music for many artistes breaking rest sometimes all night. The benefits Shalika enjoys currently is because of his supreme sacrifices made. Shalika loves to work with children to teach them attitudes which should be the slogan of all to develop one’s country. Shalika in this regard added his endeavour is make the growing children with human virtues . But he was depressed as all old Childrens’ songs are sung by the present generation of children but not new creations, but he endeavours to compile some new Childrens’ songs to become hits.
Shalika is perhaps the solitary vocalist who could sing to his own music compositions and melodies to precision with his organ. At the same time, he had quipped also at television dialog that he had provided his solo music compositions for over twelve thousand male and female artistes. This he had searched in the you tube to prove, which he himself could not believe that accomplishment. Very modestly he had quoted that he cannot trace a single vocalist to who he had not backed music at television programs , which could well be a record to be encompassed in the Guiness Book of world records Shalika is closely knit to nature says people do not think they are all dying people. Also not satisfied with what they possess always dreams of greener pastures. To Shalika he adds he has no contest with other musicians. Shalika adds music is a universal language which illustrates life .
Shalika had confessed that he gets opportunities as gifts from God. Was deployed as a music instructor at the National Youth Services Centre Maharagama, Also had been deployed by the Ministry of Social Services from year 2007 to date, For a period of two years was assigned to NADA as the music instructor. Presently attached to the National Police Academy as a visiting lecturer. He had been a music supplier to the Hirdaramani group of companies having even organized a singing competition for employees scattered in branches island wide which was telecast as a mega event.Shalika had sung many solo songs with appropriate videos viewed by many audiences including a Tamil song “Unnai Naan’.In the song ” Sasara Puraa” lyrics music composition and vocals were all by Shalika himself. Lately Shalika had composed music and sung new Police theme song “Minisa Nubai”, in an impressive video to collaborate with the 157th anniversary of the Police department. The lyrics were by senior DIG Dr Dinesh Karunanayake .Also for the first time the Sri Pada theme song was sung by him to his own music composition titled “Sumana Saminde” also to the lyrics of senior DIG Dr Dinesh Karunanayake with a colourful appropriate video which should be a historical triumph. Shalika had been instrumental in composing music for many artistes like Viraj Bathiya for ‘Thumpane Shapaya”. ”Pini Bindu Mal’, “ Sende Peye” the list goes on and on.It was Shalika who composed and sang the theme song for this years Independence day and the theme song of the National Zoological gardens are available in impressive videos. Shalika has also had composed the melody for the Sri Lankan professional artist.He had been the music director for many cultural and musical extravaganzas in Sri Lanka.He had been the music director for the Japan International Cooperation Agency ( JAICA) Shalika is very humble does not like to make the public aware what he does.He believes one day what he had done to society may get highlighted. Shalika when time permits to visit rural areas to address school children and elders to explain about ‘life’, to sing to make them happy .It is reliably learnt that Shalika even donate books, clothes and other utensils for the destitute during such visits via which he derives a huge pleasure as he is a strong believer that we all die. For a young person who is only thirty-eight years old born on 19th November 1985 ,the achievements thus achieved need to be etched in gold.
When not engaged in outdoors Shalika dedicate himself working in his own studio always endeavouring to improve his existing competences to uplift them also deviating from the monotonous themes for which all his followers would wish him. He never refuses anyone who need to compose music for a song. In summarising while talent provides a strong foundation in becoming a great musician with hard work, experience creativity and passion. All well-wishers of Shalika would no doubt wish him a stupendous future in his chosen profession.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane
whatsApp 0061444533242
