Visharada Deepika Priyadashini with many music degrees locally ,internationally, social worker, award winner, autographed vocalist at summit of celebrity – by Sunil Thenabadu
Visharada Deepika Priyadarshani Peiris, was born on 13 July native of Kalubowila as the third child of the family. Her father, Sumanadasa Peiris was an engineer. Her mother Karuna Peiris is a retired nurse. She completed education at Anula Vidyalaya Nugegoda. She has one elder brother, Ajith Peiris and one elder sister, Ajantha Peiris who died when she was 3 years old very strangely, she died on the same day she was born. Her youngest sister is Shalika Peiris. At early times, her mother had gone to sing for various programs on Sri Lanka Radio. Mother’s sister Priya Gunawardena is also a singer.Hence it is via the hereditary affiliations and her innate talent that Deepika had achieved all her singing feats to unprecedented tall statures. Deepika is the head of Deepika Priyadarshini Aesthetic Institute, perhaps the most popular female singer in native Sri Lanka,teacher,musician,vocalist well known for volunteer work, conduction at regular intervals an innumerable number of classes, workshops, seminars in order to enhance the familiarity and skills particularly of the underprivileged segments of children in inaccessible villages, conflict effected area.Deepika also takes the initiative to sustain programs such as coalition of care, education and support services. Also Deepika participates actively in aids prevention, human rights ,women’s rights ,tsunami relief etc.
She had obtained Bachelor of Music Education (1st class) Vocal Visharadh, (1st class) from Bhatkhanda University in India in 1990 and Master of the Arts in Mass Communication from the University of Kelaniya in year 2007. Later she obtained Bachelor of Education in year 2002. On 15 August 2018, Deepika married longtime partner Chamika Herath, a banker by his profession cum a renowned lyricist., Chamika had composed many famous songs such as ‘Maga Denethata Denatha Thea’ sung by Deepika.
At her school Anula Vidyalaya, she had studied music under renowned musicians, Manjula Vithanage, B.Victor Perera and Visharada Nanda Malini
Having performed in radio and television programs as a child artist, Deepika later studied music under the acclaimed musician Dunstan de Silva. In the meantime, she met popular artist Athula Ransirilal at Kalubowila Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Buddhist school. At the age of 10, Deepika got the opportunity to sing ‘Sanda Mama’ and ‘Sangeetha Handawa’ at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).
She started her career in 1985 with the song ‘Aaju Thapara Lahila’ a duet sung for the television serial Bhagya directed by Vijaya Dharmasri which song is still a hit. The song became highly popular among the public and paved the way to her singing career. In 1990, Deepika launched her maiden album ‘Sina Podak Wee’ as an audio cassette. By then she had already secured an appointment as a music teacher in a public school since 1989 including Panadura Gokarana Maha Vidyalaya for five years, Anula Vidyalaya for 10 years and another five years to Vishaka Vidyalaya Colombo 4.
In 2006, she was lucky to perform in world renowned Sydney Opera House on 3 September and then in Melbourne Concert Hall among in many other venues in Australia and Camden Center in London. Very lately In September 2022 she sang in a concert at the Monash University auditorium in Melbourne to a packed audience. In 2009, she was awarded with the most popular female singer awarded by Sirasa FM. In 2020, she launched her fifth album, ‘Sudu Hansinee’ which composed of 16 original songs. Some of her most popular songs included; Kaviya Oba,Sina Podak Vee, Pembara Kumarana, Ahasai Oba Mata, Me Thani Yahane, Premayata Nim Him, Oba Heenayak Wage, Nubata Inne Mama Witharada, Boralu Aenena, Pithu Senehe Pidu, Kandulu Hela and Jayasiri Ma Hamuduruwane.]She sang many children’s’ songs for the cartoons such as Ha Ha Hari Hawa and Behei Kyla Behei Kyla Ba.
Deepika was among 20 laureates of the Philippine Gusi Peace Prize 2012 for performing arts with her song Ma Thotin Ena in the film Saroja. Gusi Peace Prize is a Manila, Philippine based award, recognizing individuals working toward the attainment of peace and respect for human life and dignity. It is the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize. The Gusi International Peace prize is awarded in memory of Captain Geminino Javier Gusi, a Philippino guerrilla who defied the Japanese invasion and later in his life, as a politician, campaigned for human rights In year 2010, Commander Security Forces-Jaffna (SF-J) Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe was awarded the prestigious Gusi International Peace Award at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila...Atthis event Deepika made a vey impressive speech which made the foreign audience mesmerized. Initially she expressed her gratitude to the Philippine peace foundation personnel.
”Peace has become the most sensitive subject all over the globe,in which contest she was indeed fortunate to participate in this grand event as a Sri Lankan.My small island country has suffered from brutal terrorism for almost thirty years.We have now arrived at the tone off peace and harmony.She paid gratitude of the President for the unprecedented unstinted courage and support rendered. As a citizen and singer, I have been very sensitive to peace and harmony among all human beings. I decided to sing for the innocent folks who lived in the border villages .I sang ‘Saoja’ seventeen years back when the whole country was under a dark cloud.The lyrics were by renowned Mahinda Chandrasekera , the music was by Dr Rohana Weerasinghe.The visual was accomplished by Uplali Ariyasiri under the guidance of the SLRC.Even to day when I hear this sentimental song tears come to my eyes.However we are now at peace , but there are so many countries in the world who are suffering from on going wars .This award give me strength to sing for the wounded hearts of many.I bow down my head to you for giving me this strength I do not consider this award as not to my self alone I believe it is for me and my little country for integrity .I will accept this award for me and on behalf of my country”
Deepika also made an excellent speech at the funeral oration of her beloved mother For her departing from mother is what she could bear. She said it was like a rigid bond which was broken saying ‘ Giliheegiya”. She spoke at the funeral oration very emotionally with immense courage of her mother Karuna Peris, thanking the many who had attended the funeral sans any notice despite the Covid-19 related epidemic .After father’s death she had been very closely attached to her mother since year 1987.She recollected the demise of her elder sister Ajantha Shiromamala three years old. When the mother entered hospital for the confinement it is this three year old sister had arranged the bag to be taken to hospital. Mother had seen a very bad dream where many clad in white clothing gathered in numbers around the dwelling. The sister had died on the same day she was born in the wee hours of the 14th July. Which is indeed very significant incident which she cannot .Both parents were staunch Buddhists had been very keen for her to attend ‘daham pasel’.The monks in her temple had been like friends to her.She reminisced three specialist consultants who had saved her life on three previous occasions conveyed her gratitude.Her mother had always said to love your fellow human beings, her humanity been always at tall elevations. Finally Deepika added that her fervent wish was to meet her mother some day during the long journey through the sansara.
She has bagged several awards including presidential award for the best singer. Apart from that she was awarded with the Binka Award by Japan for the illustrious career. In year 2015, her solo concert “Kaviya Oba” was held on 24 November at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall. Thereafter she performed at other venues locally and internationally to packed audiences in subsequent years.
Apart from singing, Deepika is a Board Member of National Youth Service Council Sri Lanka and a Board Member of “Sadaham Sevana” International Buddhist Research Center and consultant of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious affairs. In 2017, she won the Sumathi Award for the Best Singer for the theme song of television serial ‘Maada Obama Viya’ directed by Sahan Wijesinghe. Before that, she has been designated via nomination for the Sumathi Awards several times.
Currently, she has her own music school “Saundarya Shalikawa” located in Kalubowila which was started in 1993. Still new students are enrolled serving the musical industry immensely.The school is open to all children of all ages and groups also for adults passionate about music.The training includes voice training, singing and other basic exercises, with her qualified team of specialists in the relevant fields. Her academy also provides opportunities for students who target the Indian music examinations.
The concert “Daru Tharu Waruna” was held on June 3 at the Bishop’s College Auditorium, Colombo which showcased the music abilities of the children of her music school. The first show was held in year 2003 which was held at the Maharagama National Youth Services Council. So far, Deepika has been executed six musical shows. The first concert was held in Canada. She also worked as a drug prevention consultant and involved in the social work of educating university students and youth about the dangers of drug abuse.
As a teacher even before she became all children were considered her own children. She used to contact parents to find faults in their children for which she endeavored to correct their faults.She believes marriage is a sacrifice and trust which she is now undergoing been a mother of twin sons.She is full time mother as her husband as a banker is very busy person .She is a staunch Buddhist who is a firm believer of the Lord Buddha’s phrase” Dhammo Hare Chakkthi Dhamma Chari” which is really the truth as those who conduct self in Dhammaya is totally protected by Dhamma.
All her fans would wish Visharada Deepika Priyadarshini Peiris good health and longevity.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane
WhatsApp 0061444533242
