Thushani Jayawardena : Sought after proficient violinist
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The violin, as known to many, is the baby of the string musical instrument family with four strings with tuned notes G, D, A and E played with a bow. Violin is the baby of the string family but like babies, makes the deepest sounds. The violin is the smallest and highest pitched stringed instrument typically used in western music. A person who plays the violin is called a violinist. One of the most sought after and accomplished violinists in Sri Lanka is well accredited Thushani Jayawardena.
Having commenced on this inimitable journey as a toddler, as her father was the reputed violinist Asoka Jayawardena formerly of the SLBC Orchestra. For her sixth birthday she was asked to choose between a piano and a violin. She had opted for a violin and from that date her life has revolved around playing the violin. She is now a very competent violinist precisely pressing down the strings to change the pitch, while her right hand moves the bow or plucks the strings.
The violin, sometimes called the ‘fiddle’, is exclusively accessible when speaking about folk music.
When Thushani was scarcely seven years old she had been competent enough to perform in many of events at her first school Kolonnawa Balika Maha Vidyalaya. Later through the year five scholarship examination, Thushani had entered Vishaka Vidyalaya for her secondary education.
The next momentous event was a recital she performed at the Russian Cultural Centre in Colombo, when she was nine years old. When 12 years old, she was auditioned for the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL) at which she remained the first violinist until year 2012. During the years 2013 and 2014, she was elevated to Concert Master in the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka. Scholastically Thushani has successfully completed both the examinations-Trinity and Royal Colleges of Music, London. In Sri Lanka she had passed piano and singing examinations while coming first in violin in all Island examinations
Thushani had studied music along with her father and with musician Ananda Dabare for over ten years, and with late Professor Howard Davis in London for one year.She had studied the piano under veterans Menaka Sahabandu and Ramya de Silva. Thushani had won 1st place in singing at North London and Enfield Festival of Music competitions in London. This paved the way for her to study further in London. On the strength of her music endeavours she had been awarded an entrance scholarship for one year at the Royal Academy in London. It is learnt that these are very competitive schools, where the auditions are set at high levels. She recollects that she regrets she could not continue owing to the financial constraints of her parents.
In subsequent years she was an automatic choice as the violinist at Derana Dream Star and Sirasa Super Star Reality competitions. Thushani had been acclaimed several times by the panel of judges for her contribution as the sole violinist in the orchestra backing the novice singers in these competitions.
Thushani had been a role model in this field for years. It is learnt that several children in the outstations are keen on the violin after seening her performances. These young children have developed a tremendous fondness for this western instrument, which many adults have failed to recognise. Thushani conducts violin classes in Colombo and Negombo for enthusiastic students during weekends. She had commenced these from the tender age of fifteen. She is a visiting lecturer at the University of Visual and Performing Arts in the same field.
Thushani is currently a member of the Mahesh Denipitiya Orchestra, where fusion music dominates, which should be the modern trend, unlike in many other western classical orchestras. Thushani believes fusion music is the current trend, hence every singer must be updated, and one needs to engage in fusion music fundamentally in a practical manner without distorting the original style of music.
Thushani’s parents are Asoka and Mallika Jayawardena. Here only sister Eshani is following a degree in IT. Her husband Asiri Jayawardena, an IT specialist, is her greatest pillar of strength as he looks after the children when she is out playing. Her eldest daughter Gehansa is six years old and a grade one student at Musaeus, while her little son Liam is seven months old.
All factions of followers of Thushani would have no hesitation in wishing her to be more skilled in her designated profession.
- Sunil Thenabadu
in Brisbane.