THE TUNEFUL TALE OF FARZANA JALILL

During the past decade or two, there had been a gradual change in the music scene especially when it came to vocalists. Many have opted to fall in line with the new technology, but a small percentage took the difficult route by sticking to the old hits and old styles that still remain in people’s memories. Many such young generation stars who were passionate about the sixties and seventies music, specifically achieved star status, thanks to the reality shows that unspooled on local television. Bahrain-based songstress Farzana Jalill is one such star who emerged among this new crop of music enthusiasts. Farzana Jalill who was born and bred in the cool climes of Nuwara Eliya, is today a well known voice among music lovers here and the world over. The girl blessed with a golden voice, has that knack of singing straight into the hearts of music lovers and she has also sung four of her originals which will come with music videos soon. Farzana who clinched the first place in the Nuwara Eliya District at the 1998 Thurunu Shakthi singing competition, was an ardent fan of Nirosha Virajini then. She emerged victorious singing Nirosha’s popular song ‘Sanda Rajini Aida Hengee’. “I studied at Our Ladies’ School Nuwara Eliya, Gamini National School Nuwara Eliya and Welimada Madhya Maha Vidyalaya. I was so passionate about music from my early childhood. I was exposed to music in my family. My grandmother used to play the harmonium, My uncle Tuan Noor Mohamed was a talented tablist who used to organise peduru parties in Nuwara Eliya with his friend Anton Milan. As a child I witnessed all this. I used to play with my cousins as a child using a piece of stick as a microphone. My dream was to become a singer some day and today I am grateful to all who paved the way for me to become a known face and known voice in the music scene,” Farzana told Daily Mirror Life Impulse. Just type Farzana Jalill on youtube to see how this girl has proven her singing talents today. “My music teacher Mr. Dharmadasa Kangana at Welimada Madhya Maha Vidyalaya realised my singing potential and asked me to join his music academy where I studied music upto the Visharada status. I must thank my uncle Tuan Noor Mohamed for helping me to get the crucial break in singing when he took me to the practice sessions of Nuwara Eliya Blue Max headed by Susantha Kumara. Later I sang with the group at functions and other events. Later I sang with groups like Creations and Genius. After my Thurunu Shakthi victory I got an opportunity to sing the theme song with Jagath Wickremasinghe in Channa Perera’s tele drama ‘Wassanayata Hiru Ewidin’ through Mahinda Silva. I was also teaching at Little Flower School in Nuwara Eliya. In 2003 I married Mohamed Imthiyaz Abdeen and three years later settled down in Bahrain where my husband is employed,” she said. “I was so engrossed with my little baby there. One day we attended a musical show in Bahrain when Anush Gunawardhana introduced me to organiser Sudesh Karunathilaka. I was given a chance to sing at that show, and virtually my second innings in my singing career started that day. I am getting singing offers in several musical events in Bahrain where I also took part in contests. Last year when I was in Sri Lanka on vacation Visharada Manoj Peiris gave me opportunities to sing in Chat and Music and Nomiyena Sihinaya, after Sudesh Karunathilaka introduced me to him. I also sang in Hiru Sindu Kamare, Eye Channel live band show, Saharawe Tharu and other programmes. Pioneer Sinhala cinema actress Gemini Kantha was my grandma’s sister and I believe this singing talent is a blessing I got from my family. I must express my gratitude to all who helped me in my musical career especially Tuan Noor Mohamed, Tuan Siraz Dain, Tuan Naleem Dain, Tuan Faizal Dain, Susantha Kumara, Mahinda Silva, Mahinda Karunarathna, Dharmadasa Kangana, Shelton Perera, Anton Milan, Tuan Shaheed Buksh, Sudesh Karunathilaka, Thushara Kuruwita, Manoj Peiris, Chaminda Sudarshana Kumara and others,” said Farzana. Among Farzana Jalill’s original songs are Vilata Nokiya Arune (Lyrics – Bandula Nanayakkarawasam, Music Rohana Weerasinghe), Chandraya Payala (Lyrics and music Mahinda Karunathilaka), Maga Harinnata Beri (Lyrics Kelum Srimal, Music Mahinda Bandara) and Dore Geluwa Adare (Lyrics Shehan Galahitiyawa, music Dinesh Dissanayake)

“Later I sang with the group at functions and other events. Later I sang with groups like Creations and Genius” Bahrain-based songstress Farzana Jalill is one such star who emerged among this new crop of music enthusiasts.