Kasun Kalhara

Kasun Kalhara
Born
Kasun Kalhara Jayawardena

(1981-11-03) 3 November 1981 (age 43)
Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka
Occupations
  • Musician
  • producer
SpouseKushani Sandarekha
Parents
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
  • keyboard
Years active1999–present

Kasun Kalhara Jayawardhana (Sinhala: කසුන් කල්හාර ජයවර්ධන) (born 3 November 1981), known professionally as Kasun Kalhara, is a Sri Lankan singer, musician, vocal coach and record producer. During his musical career, Kasun has released three albums, Haritha Nimnaye, Radical Premaya and Romantic Opera. Regarded arguably the greatest Gen Y singer Sri Lanka has produced, Kasun's singing voice has garnered acclaim from prominent musical peers and publications. He is one of the biggest and best-selling music artists in Sri Lankan history.[1][2][3]

Biography

Main article: Sri Lanka cinema family

Kasun was born in Rajagiriya on 3 November 1981. His mother Malani Bulathsinhala, was a veteran vocalist and his father H. M. Jayawardena was a renowned composer as well.[4] His younger sister, Nirmani Chaya died in 1991 at the age of three.[5]

Kasun's music career started along with Indrachapa Liyanage and his schoolmates from Ananda College under the mentorship of Maestro K. M. Rathnapala in late 1999. His mother who was highly supportive of his musical career once answered a newspaper interviewer who asked "what is the most memorable day in your life?" with "the day Maestro Premasiri Khemadasa hugged and wished my son, following his first musical concert (Waves of Introspection). That warm hug from Maestro Kemadasa guaranteed that Kasun had a genuine talent and a clear future".[2]

Kasun has held a number of solo concerts, collaborating with other artists such as "Kasun Kalhara: Live in Concert",[6][7] "Kasun Kalhara Unforgettable Live in Concert",[8] "The Black Red White Concert",[9] "Kasun Kalhara in Culture Shock", "4U: Live in Concert"[10] and "Love U: Live in Concert".

Kasun also performed in concerts: Culture Shock (2013) and Kasun Kalhara in LoveU (both in 2016 and 2017) which collectively became one of the most attended musical show trios in history of Sri Lanka with over 5,000 fans gathering around at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre.[citation needed] He was one of the judges of The Voice Sri Lanka seasons 1 and 2 along-with Bathiya and Santhush, Sashika Nisansala and Umaria Sinhawansa.

Television shows

Year Title Channel Language Role
2020-21 The Voice Sri Lanka (Season 1) Sirasa TV Sinhala Coach – Himself
2022-23 The Voice Sri Lanka (Season 2) Sirasa TV Sinhala Coach – Himself

Discography

Albums

Haritha Nimnaye (2001)
No.TitleLength
1."Ananthayata Yana Para Dige"05.19
2."Chiththa Kanyavi"03.34
3."Tharu Ketayak Wee"04:04
4."Sanda Sanda Wage"03.17
5."Sanda Sanda Wage (Slow Version)"03.04
6."Aadara Mal Wala"03.30
7."Escape"03.05
8."Hangum Mathuwee"03.42
9."Walaakulak Wee"05.31
10."Oba Pipunaa"03.31
11."Mal Warusaawe"03.30
12."Veenawee"03.13
13."Wine Kendiye"04.18
14."Kaulu Piyanpath"03.45
15."Nathasha"04.59
16."Aachariya"03.33
Radical Premaya (2005)
No.TitleLength
1."Eka Wasanthayaka"04.05
2."Radical Premaya"05.25
3."Sonduru Sithuwam"03:38
4."Sithija Rekha"03.56
5."Mal Mitak"03.37
6."Lihiniyeku Se"03.14
7."Susum Podhak Wee"04.23
8."Worldless"05.51
9."Appachchi"03.58
10."There She Comes"03.23
11."Sulanga Obadha"03.48
12."Maname Kumari"04.02
13."Irimaa Udaye"04.10
14."Hasanganawee"03.02
15."Daetha Wihidhaa"03.55
16."Paawelaa Yanna"03.32
Romantic Opera (2008)
No.TitleLength
1."Heta Aluth Aluyamak"03.29
2."Andhure"04.51
3."Aadhare Sithum"04.41
4."Rae Ahasin"03.12
5."Leila"03.51
6."Warna"04.26
7."Pitastharayaa"04.50
8."Sandha Onaa"03.45
9."Kandhulu"02.42
10."Obata Mathakadha Thawama"04.15
11."Romanthika Operawa"03.49
12."Mae Heenaye"03.18
13."Haritha Wana Rekhawa"02.46
14."Arambumama Kandulak Wela"04.38

With other artists

Singles

  • Sanda Mithuri (2009)
  • Meedum Dumaraye (2009)
  • Math Mal Sena (2011)
  • Mata Kiya Denna (2011)
  • Nawathi Methekin (2012)
  • Adarema Geethayak (2013)
  • Atheethaye Ma (2015)
  • Kadadasi Oru (2015)
  • Lowa Dutuwe Amma (2015)
  • Lihiniye (2015)
  • Ithin Hadamu Api Aluth Ratak (Let's Make A New Country) – Produced with Rookantha Gunathilake for the victory of New Democratic Front (Sri Lanka) at the 2015 Sri Lankan presidential election
  • Sri Lanka Cricket Theme Song (2016)
  • Varamale (2016)
  • Me Obata Ahenawada (Adaraneeya Kathawak Movie Song 2016)
  • Vasilissa (2016)
  • Alaye Ghatha (2016)
  • Nagena Bindena (2017)
  • Melaa (2017)
  • Wahilihiniye (2017)
  • Nodaneema Awasan Una (2018)
  • Nela (2018)
  • Siyak Dahasak (2018)
  • Hanthana Nathimuth J'Pure (2020)
  • Ma Balawath Karana Samide (Sinhala Hymn) (2020)
  • Roopakartha Adariye (2021)
  • Ruwanarini (2021)
  • Hitha Heena Aran (2021)
  • Banchimaari (2022)
  • Mage Diwi Pana Nala Rakinne (Sinhala Hymn) (2022)
  • Paradeesaye Jawayai Me (2022)
  • Matath Kaviyak Liyanna (2023)

References

  1. ^ "Kasun Kalhara". My Events LK. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b Kuruppu, Chamitha (18 December 2005). "Originality his forte". www.sundayobserver.lk.
  3. ^ Witharana, Thushara (11 February 2016). "Kasun talks on origins of life, sexuality, love & guilt". www.srilankamirror.com.
  4. ^ "Still no answer". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  5. ^ "On the occasion of the 19th Commemoration of Veteran Singer Malani Bulathsinhala". Divaina. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Events". www.nation.lk.
  7. ^ "Dailynews". Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  8. ^ "Kasun Kalhara in Concert". www.sundaytimes.lk.
  9. ^ "Dailynews". Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  10. ^ "4U – Seek the Essence of Your Soul". Xtream Youth.