A New Female Vocal Power house VIDUSHA Rajaguru is Born – By Sunil Thenabadu
Image Source : Vidusha Rajaguru Facebook
Vidusha Nethranjali Rajaguru is a female vocal powerhouse detected at the gruelling Derana Dream Star season 11 contest concluded in November 2023 There is absolutely no doubt about it as she has a range that stretches nearly four octaves, making her a master of both high belts and low notes with her innate talent not hereditary Her control, emotional depth, and versatility across many GENRES pop, rock, and R&B have made her a promising standout in the music industry after her triumph in the most popular reality program Derana Dream Star season 11 Her live performances were consistently praised by the experienced panel of adjudicators. She was even termed the ‘Queen’ among all contestants via all ten previous seasons held uninterrupted since year 2010.
In all reality programs elimination is determined essentially via the number of SMS’s polled. In this final it was three young female vocalists perhaps for the first time three girls vied for the ‘plum’ at the grand finale for Derana Dream Star’ award namely Vidusha Rajaguru, Anjalee Herath and Apoorwa Ashawari all singing in three different inimitable styles which was held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium attended by a capacity audience with thronging fans and celebrities amidst grandiose festivities.
Vidusha had been the most skilful contestant not only among the trio having received excellent comments from the panel of adjudicators throughout the exhausting competition over a period of months having sung in many ‘genres” of music unlike many other contestants’ apart from been called a Queen’ by the panel .
As a person who had watched all previous ‘Dream Star ‘competitions from the inception her beauty is unique , but yet she remains unassuming and simple who is very soft spoken. Reminiscing the final when she was named the first runner up she had first looked at her mother Damayanthi Rajaguru as she was a tower of strength for her journey. As she looked very weird obviously as she expected Vidusha to triumph. At that moment some senseless guy had captured Vidusha’s photo had made it go viral which had been a talked about topic among ignorant people This was made known to the public by Vidusha at subsequent interviews that followed. Of course all three finalists had been very close friends through the duration of the gruelling months long competition. It should be mentioned as the winner in the contestant would be, who polled the highest number of sms’s. It need to appropriately mentioned that the ultimate winner Angeli Herath was attached to the Air Force whereas Vidusha was then only a first year student at the Visual and Performing university. It should be reminisced that after she sang her the first song’ ‘Walakulak Wewi ’ a duet of two legends Kasun Kalhara and Indra Chapa the panel had remarked that it was sufficient for her to be Dream Star. Hence Vidusha mother and fans were hurt and upset as she was only the runner up.
Vidusha is the youngest of the three daughters. The eldest sister is Imesha an external lecturer in universities having a Masters degree. The second daughter Ayesha too educated following imitating Imesha. Mother Damayanthi had been a teacher by profession but to look after the daughters had quit teaching to look after them.Father had served in the Sri Lanka Army as a competent computer analyst had been stationed in Vadamarachchi .Several times Mother had demanded him to get a transfer and come to Colombo as was stressful for her to look after the three daughters. For her pleas he had retaliated saying then who will look after the vital work entrusted.. After ending the prolonged ethnic wearing war he had retired had lived for five years before bidding adieu,when Vidusha had been only fifteen years old then .When Vidusha dominated in preliminary rounds she did say that her father’s blessing she may have had immensely
Vidusha has had her primary education in three schools in Matale where she and family had dwelled. The flora of the vicinity in her native Matale dwelling was loved by Vidusha who awaits eagerly to visit home from the hectic life style in Colombo to enjoy the climatic conditions . Vidushi had educated in four schools viz.,Vijaya National school, Mahinda Rajapaksa Vidyalaya, Sangamitta Balika Vidyalaya , finally for her higher education at Vishaka Vidyalaya Colombo 4 from where she triumphed to enter the Visual and Performing Arts university. She had participated in the this demanding contest while a first year student in the University. As her two elder sisters are qualified her mother wants Vidusha too to be educated to serve the people of Sri Lanka.
During a television dialog Vidusha’s mother said about Vidusha. She is supposed to be a soft spoken girl talented in singing likes to take up challenges .She is a staunch Buddhist, ‘‘observing Sil’ ,visit Buddhist Temples often ,.likes Bhawana, involved with ‘Yoga’ also talented in many fields which should be ‘Gods’ precious gifts to Vidusha, She had commenced singing when she was 5 to 6 years old had been adjudicated as the ‘Most Popular vocalist’ in Derana ‘Little Star contest ‘ .
There have been before the Derana Dream Star competition season 11 ten dream stars two been female vocalists. It is pity to note that none of them had composed and sung new songs in relation to the number of songs that have been recorded at rapid intervals by Vidusha. Many of her songs could be heard and watched from her ‘you tube’ channel already watched by millions. There is a group of competent lyricists , musicians and recordists who have made a number of song videos for Vidusha. The most popular video among many song videos is titled ‘Sambudu Ruwa’ a song with lyrics on Lord Buddha released about four months ago. Having had over two million viewers. The lyrics of this song were written by Nilmini Wahandrasinghe while the music arrangement was by Anuradha Abayasinghe,In most of Vidusha’s videos the lyrics have been written by Nilmini Wahandrasinghe while music arrangements were by Anuradha Abayasinge. Some of the other videos are “Enna Siyathuna’,”Ran Tharu Dahasak”,”Lahiru Res”, “Ran Tharu Dahasak:;.”Pudadena Me Mal”.,”Nuba ma Herada”, “Ohuge Ruwa’ The video “Malsara Hee Sara” is a duet sung with another Dream star Sumeera Sumanga One other song recorded also in a video was “Hada Wedana’ for the music composition of renowned Tyronne Maddumage. Vidusha also a recorded a video lately titled “ Divaman Thawsithawaka’ the lyrics were by a monk Venerable Attidiye Pugngnathana thero in USA. For the music video of “ Lahiru Res” the lyrics were by Tharangani Senerath to the music composition of her brother Anuradha Abayasinghe,
Two songs were recorded in music video predominantly sung for this Christmas for Christians v.i.z., “Enna Sihathune Samaye Panividaya’, “Jesu Samidan Udesa’.All these songs of Vidusha when added even supersedes all videos of songs produced by all previous Dream Star winners which is a remarkable achievement while been a university student. All followers and ardent fans would wish Vidusha in this remarkable journey which during an year or so has reached to unprecedented tall elevations.
Theruwan Saranai
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane
e mail sthenabadu @hotmail.com
WhatsApp 0061444533242
If you missed Sunils’ last Article – here it is! Professor Dayarathna Ranathunga an incomparable doyen in Rajadhari music arena for over five decades – By Sunil Thenabadu
