‘Vale,’ Mariazelle Goonetilleke. A Sri Lankan music icon snatched away too soon. BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE
Singing icon Mariazelle Goonetilleke makes an untimely exit from our midst after a period of illness.
At the young age of 68, logic suggests too soon. But God’s plans don’t often align with our expectations.
Mariazelle shot to stardom decades ago after a musical journey that began at the tender age of 16.
Rising quickly through the ranks in a fiercely competitive music world in Sri Lanka, she soon gained acknowledgement from all and performed with some of the biggest names in the business such as Desmond De Silva, Sunil Perera of the Gypsies, Ronnie Leitch, Clarence Wijewardena and everyone who was someone in the music business.
She launched a reputation with the classic composition that has survived the test of time with the super hit “Kandy Lamissi” teaming up at the time with now Melbourne based Ben Nathanielsz. Few are aware of that fact.
Her journey in music achieved countless accolades but none more than from Desmond De Silva who would always tell us she was the best by far to sing along with. They blended and harmonised beautifully on stage.
Mariazelle is renowned for being self opinionated and a firm believer of her views on music and the music scene in my brief conversations with her among other things. She was passionate about how music should be delivered without artificial influence. A true traditionalist.
Mariazelle’s demise leaves a huge void in the Sri Lanka music industry and shocked peers took to social media to grieve her passing.
The media networks around the world joined in harmony, much like she did as a wonderful vocalist, paying just tribute to a wonderful entertainer.
As the music world mourns her passing, a general feeling and agreement is that she has made a choice to join those she enjoyed her musical exploits with and the choir in Heaven will ring supreme with those beautiful voices singing in harmony. Mainly introducing Sri Lanka’s traditional Baila.
Reading through the tributes I choose my rugby mate Ajith Abeywickrema’s comments about the late Ronnie Leitch’s comments before he passed during his last gig in Australia in Perth. Ronnie and Mariazelle were performing at a dinner dance and after the event, Ronnie being the mischievous larrikin promised to break Mariazelle’s door down in the night.
She found him the next morning dead in the kitchen. They can now talk about what brought about his sudden passing.
May those beautiful vibes she shared through music that thrilled fans over the decades carry her to the Heavenly celebration that we believe is life everlasting.
Anne and I loved our limited interaction with Mariazelle through the journey. She was a no nonsense lady.
Rest easy in God’s loving care Maria.
