SHIHAN “DREAM BOY” OF THE YOUTH “SINGING SENSATION” IN THE DECADE OF 2000 AT APEX OF FAME

SHIHAN “DREAM BOY’OF THE YOUTH,SINGING SENSATION IN THE DECADE 2000 AT SUMMIT OF FAME

Shihan Mihiranga Bennett born 18 March 1985, is a Sri Lankan musician, composer, songwriter lately selected as an adjudicator at ‘Hiru Mega Star” singing contest. Considered one of the best products emerged from the Sirasa Super Star season one in the year 2006, Shihan Mihiranga was often known as the “Dream Boy” of the youth in Sri Lanka. He became the youth sensation in the decade of 2000 after Namal Udugama was in the decade of 1990s.

Shihan had been born in Weliweriya as the eldest of the family. His father, Tyronne Bennet was a sound engineer previously worked in Bahrain and mother Nilu Mallika a housewife. He has a sister, Shanika Mihiravi. He studied at De Mazenod College Kandana a mixed school.

Shihan married Gishni Clementa Silva on 25 February 2012.^] Their love story had reportedly started nine years earlier and it had been a secret to the media and many until the wedding.Even today Shihan’s private life he is reluctant to divulge The wedding was held at St. Mary’s church in Nayakakanda, Hendala. Gishni Clementa is the daughter of Upali Silva, who is a PTI of Shihan’s school a strong disciplinarian. The duo has two sons, the elder son is Shihan Kenneth Yarsh and the younger one is Shihan Glen Marsh.

Shihan was critically hospitalized by dengue fever in 2017, but recovered after treatments. However, several false rumours stated that he is dead. Shihan came fifth place in the competition despite being the most popular star throughout the show. He sang mostly Rookantha Gunathilake’s songs including, Dawasakda Hendewaka, Nihanda Maruthe and As Deka.

After finishing the competition, he released his first album Dreams of Shihan in 2006. All the songs were written, and music composed by himself and became highly popular among young generations. The album won Most Popular Album award in that year as well. Then in 2008 he released his second album, Dreams 2 – “My Life” which includes lyrics and composing by other musicians.

Shihan released his first music video Ada Thaniyen maa which was a great hit in Sri Lanka. Later it won the most popular music video award at Derana Music Video Awards in year 2007. He is also a playback singer who rendered his voice for many films including Suwanda Danuna Jeewithe. His songs Perada Mewu Sina, Ron Suwanda Dena and Sith Mal Hegum Popiyana Yame in the film were highly popular. He did playback singing for the song, Raya Pibidee in the movie Super Six.

In Sirasa Superstar season 4 which was renamed Generation 4 where Shihan compered the program along with Nirosha Perera. He also sang the theme song Yawwane Sihina Yata Daelwune for the competition.

In 2018, Mihiranga became a Judge of the singing reality show Hiru Star on Hiru TV for first two seasons. begun in year 2018.In year 2020, he released his wedding song Oba Magemai. At present Shihan is the Brand Ambassador for Mobitel Smart 5 and Tiara Rollo cake of Ceylon Biscuits Ltd.

Shihan recollects the huge gesture of musician Nalin Perera did for him at the beginning of his singing career which bolsted his singing career.The song “Sulagak Wela Oba Soya” had been sung and the ‘master copy’ of Nalin Perera was all ready to be released when the song was happily handed over to Shihan saying ‘Mallie’ this songs suits you.Even to date Shihan relates this unselfish willing donation to the public. Shihan’s voice was inserted to that of Nalin’s this popular song became his.Shihan before he sings the song on stage relates this story On stage Shihan used to quip to thank so many voted to me at the Sirasa Super Star when he was nineteen years old and now he is thirty seven, his two sons also in the ages able to sing. His next song was “Mihiraviya Sihine Kumari”Shihan had sung to the tunes of famous songs sung by Milton Mallawarachchi,HR Jothipala in the 1970 decade which was an instant hit.

Shihan had admitted that he is a bit absent minded ,forgetful tend to forget dates of birthdays , wedding anniversaries etc., which his wife is also well aware. Before his marriage he had visited his fiancé’ dwelling on a wrong date. His wedding anniversary is on the 25^th February each year. For the 9^th wedding anniversary celebration, he has had two celebrations remembering the date was the 15th February.Though he is not a party boy who also do not celebrate anniversaries had thought to himself to surprise his wife .Had bought all the food stuffs cakes, drinks ,champaign etc without her knowledge on the 15^th February. When she went for a wash to the toilet before retiring to bed, he had suddenly come downstairs and arranged the surprise anniversary party for his wife.After she came back from the toilet had seen the preparations for the surprise party Shihan had arranged. She knew Shihan had mistaken the date on this occasion as always.However Shihan has had to arrange two anniversary celebrations. This story he related while on a copy chat program recently.

The love story of Shihan and Gishni is also very interesting. Both had been students in the mixed school De Mazenod Kandana, Gishni ‘s father had been the master in charge of discipline. Shihan had fallen in love with Gishni when she was in year six , when Shihan was in year nine.For good and bad things Shihan had done in school he had been a very popular in school. Though he was in love Shihan had not been able to meet her and convey that he loved her,There are many days he had watched her after school boarding the school van after school.Though he had wanted to tell her several times about the interest he had and that he loved her, he had been able to say only ‘miss’ after which he had been lost for words in excitement. Shihan had been noted in school for growing his hair, hiding the hair, wearing the slack with a short folder,his had never stitched the slacks from the cloth given, had a number of friends moved socially, did music. Some friends in school had said on him “pissu” attaching the label. Many did not have much regard for those who did music branding them as misfits and corrupted. Somehow Shihan through two girls in his classroom had sent word that he is interested and loves her,He was well versed in writing letters expressing love through lyrics of songs.Though she had not spoken she had consented but was not able to have a dialogue for a long time. Just before after his advanced level examination he had thought should meet his father in school by an appointment to impress him to tell him who he really was .Shihan had told the intended father in law that Gishni had consented about one year ago wanted to convey to him about the relationship before he left school.Shihan had quipped that he had not been able to meet her for five years though had given calls secretly without getting caught. Somehow things had got better with time, when with the consents of both parents before the wedding took place in the year 2012.

To date Shihan had released a few cassettes and CD’s under the labels Dream 2 Entertainments and M Entertainments.Some of the songs include Obage Mathaken,Pereda Mavu Sina,Raa Sihinene,Mihiraviye,Raa Thisse Avilla,Amme Obe Senehe ,Sudu Rosa Mal etc,

Shihan is a committed family man loves wife and his two sons.To Shihan his family life is very personal .He continues his passion for music which is his first love performing composing , producing, recording attending to concerts locally and overseas. Shihan has a inimitable style of his own does not like to imitate anyone though he resembles legendary Elvis Presley the all-time great.During a career spanning just one and half decades Shihan has established himself in the music arena to unprecedented tall heights , all his fans would no doubt wish him the very best to continue in the same vein for all future endeavours .

Sunil Thenabadu email sthenabadu@hotmail.com WhatsApp 0061444533242