Visharada Udara Kariyapperuma skilled in aesthetic lustre by Sunil Thenabadu
She got the vital distinctiveness of applying comparative doctrine and vocal creativity to tradition of music, specific styles but not blending them all together to create un-rhythmic tunes.
Udara was born on 27th April 1990 in Kohuwela as the second of three daughters to humble parents Dhanapala and Champika Kariyapperuma .The former was an Assistant Controller at the BIA, while her elder sister Hasara is married living in Abu Dhabi while the younger sister Thulara also married lives in Australia. Though the siblings are far apart Udara continues to have very close links with them.
Udara, who learned Easter classical vocal music under Professor Sangeeth Nipun Sanath Nandasiri ,had passed the Visharadh examination with a ‘First Division’ and also part one of Violin Visharadh.
Udara had confirmed precisely to possess an excellent wisdom of vocal potential. Singing was not only her passion but concurrently playing musical instruments like the piano and Indian classical violin. Udara, while at school, had passed the IWMS (Institute of Western Music and Speech) in Western music under Neelakantha Dias. Subsequently she has passed her Visharadha exam in Indian classical music at Bathkande.
As music was her passion, she was into competitions with sheer confidence and having participated in ‘Swarnabbimani’ singing competition in year 2008, where she was adjudicated the winner all-Island. Udara was placed fifth in the ‘Sri Lanka Life’ competition organised by SL Rupavahini Corporation, was placed third in ‘Pibidena Gayaka Parapura’in the same year which had given Udara the required impetus to prolong a career in music.
While still in the University she had participated in the gruelling Sirasa Super Star singing competition in year 2014, where she was among the top twenty which incidentally was a turning point in her singing career when she was well recognised as a talented vocalist.
Udara is a renowned folk singer too having participated in music folk festivals in Austria, Thailand and China. Udara has sung many solo songs, ‘me obesuwanda wage’, ’ashawen maa bala’ etc with lyrics and music by famous lyric writers and musicians. In this respect Udara emphasises the rigid influence and guidance from Professor Sanath Nandasiri and many others for contributing lyrics, arranging music and helping in numerous ways for her endeavours.
Udara is often invited to sing as a guest artiste in many programmes in TV channels and radio such as ‘Mathra’, ‘Shanidaasaadaya’, ‘Sihinayaki Re’, ‘Raa Padura , Sirasa Padura, Dialog Ridma’, SLBC’s singing programmes etc. She had also sung jingles in Television.
Udara has been working as a music teacher after graduation in international schools initially in Daybridge International School while from year 2017 to date is attached to Colombo International School.