ANJALEEN’S MEMORABLE WEDDING INVITATION

   “President visited my house with Shiranthi to extend their wedding invitation
My professional charges are very high. Hence I am not given the opportunity to sing in musical concerts and not given programmes in the television channels:”
-   ANJALEEN GUNATILLAKE

Although the versatile singer Anjaleen Gunatillake had been singing for almost 40 years, she is yet to perform a solo musical concert in this country. However her first solo musical concert is planned to be held in the month of February this year. The reason she had given the music directors do not offer her assignments as her charges are very high.
She had disclosed that she does not believe in going to ‘boutique’ on behalf of politicians. She had said that she does not possess those low qualities. She had confessed that the President and Shiranthi as close associates had come to her place to extend to her their wedding invitation. She also disclosed that many young singers sing her songs and earn a lot of money. The authorities of television channels do not invite her as a judge in reality shows as her charges are very high. She had complained in that manner.
In this regard she had given an interview to the newspaper ‘ADA’. Some excerpts from this interview are appended below:
After been in the singing field for so long why did it take so long for you to have a solo musical concert?
“As a principle as a singer I do not sing for meagre payments. Hence the organisers of these musical concerts hesitate to invite me. However on behalf of Sri Lankans living in Australia two solo concerts of mine was organised by Fahim Mawjood. He is organising my first solo concert on my behalf at the ‘Nelum Pokuna’ ,Mahinda Rajapaksa performing arts theatre in February this year.”

Today veteran singers prefer to sing in indoor than in outdoor concerts?
“These are stories that are told by people having two tongues. This is a real laughing matter for our people. They will very willingly participate when invited to outdoor television programmes. I too will participate if I am paid my fee.”

New stars are born. But they sing songs of veteran singers?
“When they sing songs of veteran singers they do not attempt to bring in new compositions and new songs nor emerge. The excel singing our songs and earn a lot of money and had bought houses and cars. But they never extend respect to us”.

There are conflicts about the lyric writers?
“I of course never participate in these meetings and discussions. Today most lyric writers and musicians are real rogues.  Although they earn a lot, I have not been given a red cent. They have no business to talk about songs. Certain television channels also sell us and earn. They act like innocents. They never invite to judge boards in reality shows as my charges are high.”

Some artistes have become stooges of politicians?
“Really speaking it is me who should go to ‘Temple trees” first. This is because the president and Shiranthi came to my house to extend their wedding invitation to me for their wedding. We have had close links. But still we remain at alms length as artistes, but never go boutique to them.  However those who go to ‘boutique’ for them get high posts and other benefits. We never bend down to politicians and become their stooges.”

Newspaper Article by Marlon Vidanapathirana