Anyone who is into the art of
listening to music and appreciating music would definitely be aware of who the
De Lanerolle Brothers are. Esteem was thrilled to have secured an interesting
Q&A with the De Lanerolle Brothers taking into consideration their very
busy schedule. Anyone who knows these two personally would be aware of the fact
that they are so different and yet so alike. The one thing that unifies them
both is their shared love for music and also that ethereal art of singing.
Yet as anyone knows nothing in life
comes very easily. However, it is practicing patience and investing in the
profession of hard work that really helps you become truly great in what you
choose to do with life: This really is the legacy of the De Lanerolle Brothers.
It is a bold statement that can honestly be seen in their effortless singing
and also in their versatility. For instance, anyone who has been part of the
audience when the brothers perform would witness how they are able to sing
contemporary music, opera, and even some truly classical Sinhala music.
While it would be very interesting
and quite easy to give a long and rambling introduction it is not necessary
rather let’s hear from the brothers themselves. Without any further ado, let’s
look at some of the interesting answers that they had to a few questions we
asked them.
1. Can you tell us a bit about your family background and how
you both actually got into music?
Rohan: Actually both our parents and their
families have been musical. Our Mother was 1st in the island twice under age in
piano, and her brother was a good singer who was also an entertainer. So was
our mother’s sister who also had a good voice not forgetting our maternal
grandmother, too. From our father’s side, I would say that our father has a
very good ear and to-date remains our best critic. Our paternal grandfather
also had a good bass voice and was always welcomed in church choirs.
2. It is amazing how you guys can sing a wide range of songs and
a wide range of genres, but what exactly is your favourite genre?
Ishan: I would say Broadway and Pop would
be the standouts.
Rohan: Classical and sacred music would be
my pick.
3. I’m sure each of you has a favourite song. Would you like to
tell our readers what particular track is your favourite and why?
Ishan: I would say, “I dreamed a
dream” from Les Misérables simply because there is so much meaning and
emotion when one considers the lyrics.
Rohan: For me every track gives you a different
perspective, meaning and emotion, and it’s all about the lyrics and how you
bring that out to touch people’s hearts; so unfortunately I am unable to pick
one song as a stand out.
4. What are the things that annoy you?
Ishan: When things don’t go as planned, and
when each person doesn’t deliver and shirks responsibilities.
Rohan: Time and time again I have said this
– it is jealousy and copying. This is a BIG problem in this country in any
field let alone singing. People act as if nothing has happened and are not straightforward
and have loads of hidden agendas and are two-faced AND wish for your downfall.
There are others who just love to copy and cannot be original. An example of
this is people who have to copy the exact layout of a publicity material.
5. Aside from music and singing, what are your other hobbies?
Ishan: Teaching children, which gives you
immense satisfaction when they perform to people.
Rohan: Annoying everyone. My late maternal
grand uncle used to call me “The great annoyer!”
6. What are your future plans?
Ishan: Plans are many; what we are
concentrating on right now is to see how we can evolve into different areas.
Rohan: We will keep that a secret, if not
people will want to copy that, too.
Inspiration certainly needs to come from somewhere, and for this incredible duo nothing inspires them more than music itself. There are a great many singers and artists who are truly unique, but it would be suffice to say that it is performers like Andrea Bocelli, Luciano Pavarotti, Mario Lanza, and Beniamino Gigli who are the most inspirational for this duo. With the local music industry evolving quite a bit, it needs to be stated that there really is a requirement for unique artistry. The De Lanerolle Brothers definitely are a benchmark for the rest of the music industry; each and every single brand new performance is an absolute sell-out and is also incredibly unique in its presentation and delivery. As Rohan said there will be quite a few future plans, which are sure to be incredible and heartwarming albeit under wraps.
Nobody wants their drunken conversation written down
somewhere. Being a photographer is different. People come to you. They smile.
They flirt. They make sure you see only their best side. Nobody wants to upset
the camera.
— Numbercaste
The only instance when Yudhanjaya emanated a radiant and
effulgent smile was when we spoke about books, writing, and his fascination
with new and fantastic worlds. The only time I mirrored that same look of glee
was after downing 1/4 of a bottle of Halmilla Old Arrack, which he ordered.
He downed the other 1/4, and by that time, I was swimming
in a sea of similes, metaphors, analogies, allegories and other figures of
speech (the names of which have slowly gathered cobwebs and dust in the corners
of my brain) — luckily I took notes otherwise this enthralling interview would
have dissipated like autumn gossamer in the wind.
As most of Colombo’s work-weary denizens would know,
Mintage offers an eerie ambiance, and the yellow lamps limned Yudanjaya’s grin
as we spoke about his ‘other worlds’. Quite the storyteller he is, and my mind
was fresh from a reading of the Messenger, which is his collaboration with R.
R. Virdi. His sentences are short bursts of creativity quite like the laser
cannons used by the robotic Hindu deities in Messenger.
The mind of a fiction writer is a scary place to be in,
and the civilizations that are waiting to be scribbled down into a clean white
A4 paper is a violent labor of love. What’s even more enthralling is how he has
managed to combine his passion of writing fiction and his enthusiasm for his
day job as a Researcher at LIRNEasia — a pro-poor, pro-market think tank.
Gimlet-eyed, the main protagonist of this article spoke
of the importance of data and dataism. There was so much of Yuval Noah Harari
in him, and the symphony of monologues moved onto centrist politics, and the
utopia that’s awaiting us in possibly a century or so. If we won’t be alive to
see it, you might as well dream about it, right? We both shared a rueful glance
at that shared thought — What IF we were living in 2075 right now? What would
the world be like really? — and drank some more.
We spoke a lot. One interesting subject was of the
evolution of wealth. Harari at one point speaks of the transition of wealth: we
are at a transition where wealth, which is regarded as the ownership of land,
is transforming into a knowledge economy, where knowledge will be the new-age
definition of riches. And we agreed that the democratization of information
will lead to less poverty and better opportunities for people in future.
Here is a homegrown author who is at the apex of his
appeal, or, dare I say — yet to reach his apex. Some of his creative and
eloquent prose is bound to offer post-coital feels for those who treasure the
adroit navigation of the English language. We spoke at length about Sylvia
Plath, J. K. Rowling, Stephen King, and Indian and Sri Lankan cultural nuances.
The massive assimilation of knowledge Yudhanjaya possessed and disseminated was
an exercise in intellectual stimulation.
With motifs of cigarette smoke swirling lazily and making
quasi-symbols not unlike that of some badly-scripted sci-fi movie seemed apt as
the conversation segued into another different topic and one hundred more —
Think gender fluidity. Contemplate transphobia.
Care for an existential crisis? Anyone?
At times I disagree that fiction is actually fiction.
Once you meet the author you realize that there is so much of him in the
sentences and paragraphs that make up his novels. Channel your attention to the
quote from Numbercaste at the beginning of this feature article.
Anyone who does know this bespectacled Alchemist (a
nickname from his old gaming days) knows that he really is a chum. Luckily,
there were no cameras that night to capture a celebrity in a flattering light,
and although it was a drunken conversation — I did manage to chip at that
eclectic and confusing mosaic uniquely named Yudhanjaya Wijeratne and felt that it was I who turned out richer
and more enlightened.
The Moot Society of Sri
Lanka Law college will be organizing the Victors Moot for the second time anticipating to fill a long-standing vacuum of
international exposure to the enthusiastic law student community of Sri Lanka.
The competition titled “ H V Perera QC Memorial Moot Court Competition” is
scheduled to be hosted from March 22-24, 2019. The Victor’s Moot is the only
Moot competition organized and hosted by Sri Lanka on an international level.
The Chairperson of the competition Mr. Haritha Ranasinghe expressing his views
of the moot stated participants representing universities and law schools from
India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Thailand and Hong-Kong are looking forward
to participate in the competition this year.
The
Moot will be based on a very timely up and coming development of law in the
island, which is – International Commercial Arbitration. Arbitration, much more
than Court Litigation, is a significant development in alternative dispute
resolution (ADR) today and it will be critical for in-house counsel in
commercial entities to be completely aware and be trained in arbitration
skills. Thus, it is our vision to make this Moot Court competition a platform
for law students to develop these skills which will eventually benefit the
wholesome growth of this area of alternative dispute resolution in the island
as well.
Looking back at the
Victor’s Moot 2018, the Moot Society of Sri Lanka Law College had the
gratification in hosting eight Local teams and eight International teams from
prominent universities of India, Pakistan and Thailand. The final round
was between Rajiv Gandhi University of India and Royal Institute Colombo, in
which Rajiv Gandhi University won the prestigious title. The competition was
adjudicated by a distinguished panel of Arbitrators which included Dr.
Kanag-Isvaran PC (President of the Tribunal), Dr. Harsha Cabral PC, Mr. Faiz
Musthapha, Professor Srilal Perera and Professor Romesh Weeramantry.
The
overall vision of the Victor’s Moot, is that it hopes to become a vital gateway
to the law student community, to not only tone their skills of arbitration in
practice but also of legal research, analysis, writing and oral advocacy. The
simulation of a mock court atmosphere while arguing on a hypothetical matter of
law, gives them the firsthand experience of functioning under pressure and with
the intellectual flexibility required to be successful advocates in the future.
Therefore this international mooting arena is organised with the aim of
exposing the budding legal minds of the country to global factors and healthy
competition, creating the next generation of legal academics and professionals
in Sri Lanka.
There are a few dozen families that add bursts of glitter
to the kaleidoscopic and colorful history of ours. I’m not certain if it is my
travel reviews or an unusual event between two families that got me to
reconnect with Ms. Helga de Silva Blow Perera – the proprietress and creator of
Helga’s Folly – an interior design maze found amidst the cool hills of Kandy
and nestled at the brim of a hilltop. I had the good fortune to enjoy a
tête-à-tête with Madam Helga, but before I dive into any of the insightful
conversation, I must tell you about this place.
During my own investigations I was warned “the place is
fabulously interesting but it’s not for the faint hearted” so at that moment I
knew it had my name written all over it. The ensuing research led me to believe
it would be everything I wanted it to be.
The entrance promises that what is contained within the
boundaries of the estate will be out of the ordinary and the explosion of
colour that meets you at the door bears testimony to it.
At first you are stunned, then awe struck and finally
your inquiring mind makes a bold entrance – the patterns, the art, the
paintings, the mirrors, candle wax and fabric compete for your attention that
is swift to be caught by historic photographs, articles and cultural artifacts and
thus begins the journey into what seems like an exercise in creative
expression.
Yet another defining feature of the estate is the
courtesy so readily extended to you by the host’s staff. They are well
mannered, polite and well informed. All uniformly clad in red.
There is much to be said about the history to this place
and it’s best articulated by the already published information sheet you are
handed out. You will find a reproduction of it here.
I was then escorted to the upper chamber of the property
where you have several books, with sitting areas and dining facilities.
OH! I should have set the tone to all of this by
requesting you to turn on the gramophone to 1930’s music.
As for the art, you must experience it for yourself.
There is little I can say for its appeal lies in the eyes of the beholder. The
emotions it communicates pendulums between passion, ecstasy, love and fury so
you will have to make your own assumptions. But what I will do is tell you
answers to three questions I posed to my host.
What is there dream
and where does the passion come from? What are your future plans for Helga’s
Folly and where did it begin?
Madam Helga chose to amalgamate the questions and answer
them thus.
“I was in a
difficult, dark place in my life. It was my father who gave me the inspiration
to express my emotions through my art. This was our family home and I was lucky
to have a free hand.
Over here is the
room I was almost born in” she said pointing to a large room thickly decorated.
My intention is to run it as it is, and as it has always been a family home – a
nursery of imagination if you like. My expressions of art have many sources.
Much of it emotion and I like to mix up the pedigrees. I am often asked what
the theme is and I always reply saying that akin to life Helga’s Folly has no
theme.
I like and feel
humbled that many travelers and guests going through a ‘dark’ time find refuge
here, and ‘paint out’ as I suggest they do, which they find liberating’.
Helga’s Folly is blessed
with an epic provenance from the outset. Walls are adorned with newspaper
clippings, poignant photographs, hastily scribbled verses and hastily scribbled
verses. They all tell the story of the house, which was designed by Madam
Helga’s mother in the 30’s who was a student of the Bauhaus movement. Madam
Helga’s father Frederick de Silva was the son of political icons The Rt Hon
George De Silva credited with help securing Sri Lanka’s Independence, and Agnes
Nel De Silva credited for helping gain Women’s Rights. Aunt Minnette de Silva
described as Asia’s first woman architect. Her aunt Marcia De Silva De Vigier
the authoress, and of course the ‘Rt Hon Sir Desmond De Silva, the extravagant
and flamboyant barrister known as football’s best defender, and who specialized
in bringing justice to War Crime Criminals around the world.
She had many wonderful things to say about her staff some
who haven’t even painted the property and been with the family up to 47 years
in service.
I also had the opportunity to briefly speak with an arts
student, a live in volunteer here to do a sculpture in celebration of the life
of Ms. de Silva’s brother QC Desmond de Silva. A knighted pride of Ceylon. She
had poignant things to say about selecting a lion to represent all that he was.
Sadly, he had passed away in England just a few months prior to my visit. But
evidence of his countenance and his work is all over to be read.
Housekeeping rules are simple. There is plenty of accommodation,
even a family room, a pool and a courtyard and the meals are served promptly
and I opted to have authentic local vegetarian food which I found to be
delightful. The lemon rice and the tamarind rice in particular were my
favorites. On the ramp to the property is a bird’s eye view of Kandy and a morning
walk down the hill will do you well. The tropical fruit is sun kissed and the
accompaniments to your meals are unusual. For I had a glass of local tonic
instead of wine and found it quite interesting.
The services are paid for in dollar terms and its
enchanting surroundings are yours to revel in. If you are coming – call ahead
and make sure the staff know any special needs you may have and bring an opened
mind with you.
However, if you are thinking of coming to Helga’s Folly,
please check their website: Helgasfolly.com – it is an ART hotel, with some
island history. HF is NOT a boutique hotel as such, or a starred emporium, it
is a Sri Lankan home, overlooking the Temple of the Tooth, lake, magnificent
mountain scenery and flanked by jungle. If expecting a regular hotel
experience, best look elsewhere, there are many, many hotels in Kandy.
With an unapologetic belief in magic, madness and Santa
Claus and a slightly unhealthy obsession with coffee and the moon, Megan is a
creative multidisciplinary who toys with a pet expressive avenues like writing,
voice acting, singing, yoga and Art Direction & Design for advertising. Her
often melancholy and gritty short verse found its home on Instagram, and has
now made it into a debut collection “Poison Apple” published by Unsolicited
Press, USA. Megan is an Alumini of Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya, and
holds a BA in Advertising from RMIT University in Melbourne. She currently co-runs
a small creative think-tank, The Next Big Think, which handles advertising and
marketing campaigns for small niche businesses. She is also a mum to seven year
old Navya. Here’s what we discussed about The Next Big Think, her career and her
aspirations.
What inspired you
to start the next big think?
My partner Dillai Joseph and I were young mums trying to
battle the hours and demands of a traditional agency job. We both quit at
different times, choosing to dedicate more of our time to our very young
children, but at the back of our minds, we still felt that we still had a lot
to offer creatively to the ad world. We decided to come together, each bringing
to the table different strengths, to tailor make an agency model that was
workable for us as well as for potential clients. That’s how The Next Big Think
was born.
What makes ‘The
next big think’ different from other advertising agencies?
I wouldn’t go so far as to call ourselves a traditional agency.
We are a creative think tank that was founded to provide marketing solutions to
niche and growing brands, who may not be able to afford the large price tags of
a multinational. We are virtual, do not function in the typical brick and
mortar office and are focused on building your brand with you by giving you
more time.We believe in collaborating with different talents in the industry to
best fit the project and this model seems to work well for us as there is much
more transparency with the client and it also allows us to be more focused on
our creative product.
What were some
special campaigns you worked on?
Since beginning the Next Big Think we have worked on
quite a few different types of projects but a few stand out. Ohè Island was one
that was close to our hearts, as it spoke to women just like ourselves and was
marketed in an entirely different manner. We enjoyed creating experiences for
the loyalty members of Amante Boutique and designing some iconic window displays
for them as well. We also did an interesting rebranding exercise for the
popular Jewellery brand Lalitha, which was a lot of fun and we feel has given
the brand a much needed facelift. You can find more about our work on our
website www.thenextbigthink.co
How do you manage
to handle so many important clients when there’s only you and Dillai working
together?
We consciously take on a limited number of
clients/projects at one time. Currently we try not to handle more than 4
projects at any given time as we want to spend as much time as possible on each
client. Stretching ourselves will only mean that our end product suffers, and
we definitely do not want that. We also collaborate with a few others in the
industry on things like PR, Media and Graphic Design if need be, while
retaining full creative control of the job.
You’re also a poet
and an instagrammer. Tell us about it.
I’ve been writing in some way or another for as long as I
can remember, and poetry happened to suddenly triumph as my favourite form of
expression a couple of years back. I started writing in short verse and prose,
and shared these verses on social media before compiling them into a book about
2 years ago. My book “Poison Apple” is now internationally available and I have
been doing many readings of the work at open mic sessions in Colombo. My Instagram
@meganpoisonapple now shares my new work and some readings as well.
What are the main
themes you mostly focus on poetry?
Currently my writing is mostly centered around love, loss
and the fragility of human relationships.
When starting the
next big think, what was the support you got from your family members?
My family is extremely supportive of my work and help in
any way they can to take care of my daughter if I need to be away on meetings
or shoots. There are occasions where I have to work late or on weekends and
they rise to the occasion with no questions asked. I’m really blessed that way.
Any future plans?
I’m a restless soul by nature and not one to really make
concrete plans. For now I want to keep my work with The Next Big Think going
and stay as true to our purpose as possible, I definitely want to take my
writing more seriously and see what other forms of writing I can delve into.
Standing on
the shore of the sea of life, its easy to wonder ‘what if’. And shrink back.
Or – like
Howard Martenstyn you can muse that life is an ocean of experience and dive
right in!
For the
better part of the year, this wild about whales’ enthusiast has been immersed
in realms of research, an overload of photographs, and never ending facts and
figures all which translated into a sublime collection of awe inspiring marine
pictures, meticulous up-to-date data – captured in a long awaited revised
edition, launched just last week.
To
understand his desire to open his world out to us again, one must start by
trying to appreciate his world.
Who doesn’t
love whales? Along with dolphins these majestic marine mammals are revered the
world over. Watching the way, they move, hearing the sounds they make is both
hypnotic and calming. These intelligent, mysterious and resilient animals are
an evolutionary marvel and key players in the marine eco system. The mystery
and grandeur of the ocean that accounts for 90% of the biosphere is graced with
thousands of dolphins and whales.
Sadly,
whales were pushed into near extinction through whaling in the last century.
Thankfully the numbers have rebounded tremendously thanks to awareness and
their growing protected status.
While most
of us are content to watch these animals from relatively close by Howard has
taken his passion to another dimension, he has spent so many hours in research
that he has literally travelled more than halfway around the world in Sri
Lankan waters. He has written, re-written & re re written and with the help
of his brilliant editor Richard Simon, brought this book to a whole new level.
His love
affair with the ocean and fascination of the oceans biodiversity started way
back in his childhood when his brother, Cedric threw him over board a boat
& simply said ‘swim to the other boat!’. Howard literary works are dedicated
to his brother Commander Cedric Martenstyn who served in the Sri Lanka Navy.
Spending much time operating from his other brother Dallas’s hotels in
Kalpitiya, his knowledge grew in bounds.
The more time Howard spent gleaning information on these majestic creatures, the more his desire to inspire and instill this appreciation and respect in the next generation grew. And to this end he will next year donate 4000 Sinhala books of an edited & translated copy of his new book to coastal schools, hopefully giving the students a new appreciation of the marine world at their doorstep, and promote best practices while watching marine life.
Howard
particularly dislikes marine life in captivity because, no tank, no aquarium
however large, however decorated can ever replicate the conditions of the
rivers and seas.
A past pupil
of the famed St. Thomas College Mt Lavinia and a corporate success in the field
of engineering, Howard feels that in retirement he has finally found his
calling.
Howard has
been a recipient of the coveted top award for Best Sri Lankan website in the
Travel and Tourism category having designed the website himself.
He was a
director of CRIOMM (Centre of Research for Indian Ocean Marine Mammals) and a
part time educator on marine life to the navy.
His launch
was widely attended by enthusiasts and well-wishers alike.
There is a
little bit of the ocean in everyone of us but more so in Howard Martenstyn.
We eagerly await to see what he will come up
with next.
Correct me if I am wrong, but Yasodhara Pathanjali reminds
me of Nelly Furtado. What could possibly be the similarities, you’d ask. And I
suppose the same face cut and an almost gypsy-like adoration of colour and a
few things folksy would be it.
We met at KIKU — a workshop studio and eatery — above
Shirohana on Dr. Lester James Peiris Mawatha. It proved to be the perfect
setting for an interesting chat on her life, and her pursuit of honing her
skills when it comes to art. I must mention the fact that she spoke rather
openly, and this is because she firmly does believe in having an open dialogue
whatever the situation — since this is the starting point in helping resolve
issues.
KIKU is art. It’s eclectic presentation of Japanese cuisine
with a minimalistic fervor was homely and warm. Yasodhara was bursting with
color just like her art pieces, and her infectious laugh was a brush stroke of
sheer personality. We spoke about everything BUT art. I will tell you this,
though — she is reluctant to define her pieces of art stating that they are all
open to interpretation with each piece offering an explanation that is personal
and private.
Admirably she is self-taught and has spent most of her life
in London. With a penchant for sarees and intrinsic detail, she elaborated on a
host of topics from the need to create more awareness on mental illness to
culture and how it evolves to expressing oneself through art.
Like any artist worth her salt, Yasodhara’s art takes on
different forms. She’s been passionate about embroidery, wood working,
painting, stone carving, paper arts, pottery, creative writing and a myriad of
other forms. With a fashion label in its infancy, her clothes are her own
creation, which boasts a colorful myriad of flowery prints.
As a mother of two children, she does an exemplary balancing
act handling multiple roles while also being an accomplished cook. (Cheese, she
says, is what she loves.) With a desire to bring her art to the rest of the
world, she believes that art has the capacity to heal and craft out new
beginnings. Believing in homeschooling her children, it is heartening to see
how she entertains a proclivity to lend her knowledge to the new generation.
Forward thinking and progressive in her beliefs, Yasodhara,
proves to be a breath of fresh air in an island that is still very much stuck
in an environment of orthodoxy and conventional thinking. And it is this train
of thought that has led her to pursue some unconventional endeavors like
painting what is probably the largest mural in Sri Lanka.
It was a great initiative since it does showcase an
exceptional will to succeed, and it is also testament to an ambitious
generation that artistic creativity does pay dividends. From a
business-oriented perspective, Yasodhara has converted her artistic prowess
into something that is adored and that has led to a great many commissioned
projects.
With color forming the basis to her personality and life,
Yasodhara, has used her knowledge, which is largely self-taught, to expand her
horizons and become a creative and inspirational person. Personally, I think
her persistence and desire to use her talents to express and ultimately teach
others her passion is noteworthy. The fact that she is a personality who
desires to succeed no matter what is inspirational.
Moreover, her socially-conscious initiatives — empowering women, helping children find expression, drawing awareness to societal issues etc. — proves that art can create a better world for all.
Written by Rohitha Perera | Photography by Sampath Munaweera
I
first met Gaia Kodithuwakku many years ago during my stint on radio. Even then
she was the hot girl on the radio jockey side of the fence, and I was the nerdy
news presenter. Fast forward to at least 5 years later and here we are, Gaia
being one of the Top 10 social media influencers in the country and me writing
her story.
From
what I know of this wonderful young woman, fitness expert recognized around the
world is not something she had in mind growing up. Having imagined herself a doctor, married with kids by this age, and of course
acquiring financial wealth, life has taken her on a completely different
journey. “I am thankful that I have aligned myself with the journey life
decided to take me on because I honestly believe that this the best life for me.
I get to work from home, lying down on my bean bag, with my feet up on a footrest
and a warm cuppa almond milk coffee in my hand. I honestly believe I am living
the dream. I get to do what I love, get to have TIME for myself, a few very
special people in my life and also to get to travel, explore, learn and
experience life, while running a super lucrative business”, she says.
So much confidence is what was
required for Gaia to initially make the switch from radio to her current
occupation. She tells me that the transition took place both very intuitively
and fluidly, over time. “Just identifying what really brought me joy and
directing a lot of pure positive focus towards it is what has gotten me so far.
The process of training and eating within strict perimeters always gave me a
natural high that empowered me. It came with the discipline you learn
throughout the process of becoming better. I loved it so I did more of it,
until it was all I could think about. It consumed me, and I had no choice to commit
to it full time”, she adds.
Her physical and mental
transformation is what first catapulted Gaia in to becoming somewhat of a
fitness icon inspiring not just women but also men to be the best version of
themselves. Having recently been included in the Top 10 Instagram Influencers
in Sri Lanka listing however is something Gaia is proud of and thankful for,
but says she prefers to grow herself as a brand with more face-to-face
interaction with people. “This type of thing is great, so you take a moment, be
grateful and continue having eyes on the prize, your work”, she quips.
Humility has always been a trait
to be admired in this woman of many talents and it is this same characteristic
that never lets her refer to herself as a celebrity. “Again like I said earlier
I’d rather be an influencer who is more relatable, almost like a middle man (or
woman in this case!) between the people and the stars. So I prefer to share my
life and experiences so that someone out there can be motivated to become
better or live a better life”.
Living a better life is a art
that Gaia has mastered and taking one look at her schedule makes me want to do
with mine. Instead of writing a whole paragraph on her daily routine, I’m going
to list it out with the hope that you are inspired too.
5:30 – 6:00am Wake up
6:00am – 6:30am Coffee
on my terrace with a view of the greenery and waterfront. This is my morning
ritual when I just sit there, breathe and soak up the sun.
7:30am Morning
cardio which is usually a slow walk for an hour or so
9:00am Breakfast
11:00am Sit
with my laptop, reply emails, follow up with clients and create new programmes
etc.
12noon 2nd
meal of the day
1:00pm – 2:00pm Meetings,
chores and responsibilities
2:00pm 3rd
meal of the day
4:00pm – 5:00pm Gym
9:00pm Dinner
followed by 250g of Pineapple for digestive enzymes, drink my Vitamins and
Creatin
11:45pm Hit
the sack
Seems too good to be true? But
it isn’t and Gaia says it all comes down to discipline. It’s the same message
she has for anyone willing and wanting to stay healthy. “For me this journey
has been intended from the very start to be one that I draw energy from. I
never trained to just lose weight. I trained to feel better, stronger, more
powerful, and more confident. To become more of who I truly am. What we need to
change is the way we perceive this whole journey. Training doesn’t have to be
this horrible, torturous experience. If you knew how training makes me feel
like a million bucks every day, if you could just tap into two seconds of that
feeling, you’ll never skip it ever again. It’s this amazing feeling of
connection with my body. It is the greatest therapy, greatest satisfaction and
the happiest place I go back to every day. You shouldn’t do it because you hate
your body, but because you love it and you know its full potential”.
After those wise words here’s a
bit more of what makes Gaia an extraordinary woman…
Not So Simple
Describe Gaia in one word: Alchemist
Must haves in your handbag at all times: Wallet, Ray Bans, Deodorant, Perfume and a travel-size
pack of Body Butter
One thing you hate that people say about you: If someone were to ever question my work. I’m very open
to criticism and I’m always learning and getting the best in the world to
mentor me. I am very blessed to have the support of some of these giants. And
because of this constant growth my work too improves rapidly and I have
produced supernatural results with clients in Sri Lanka and all over the world.
So if someone were to ever come at me in the effort to call out the work I
produce, then you better come with a lot of background information because a
lot of time, research and experience has been put into what I do, and I WOULD
take it personally if you were to question it without basis!
One person you absolutely cannot live without: No chance I could pick one person. Mom, grandparents, my
man and Jazz my Rottweiler
One fitness hack that works for you: Zero hacks. Hard work discipline and commitment, through
and through. There is no hack that will reverse the effects of years of abuse
we put our bodies through.
Favourites
Food: Anything Salmon
Song: Shine on You
Crazy Diamond – Pink Floyd
Clothing Brand: I
couldn’t care less, unless it’s Sportswear.
Perfume: Issey Miyake
Movie: Before Sunrise
Quote: “Speak the
Truth Even When Your Voice Shakes”
Profile
Full Name: Gaia
Kodithuwakku
DOB: 02/05/87
Alma Mater: RMIT
Australia
Current Occupation:
Fitness ProfessionalBy Nishu Gunawardana
Getting out of bed on a Sunday morning can be challenge for many,
but I have absolutely no regrets doing so for an interview and shoot with a dynamic
couple that I am going to tell all you lovely readers about. This vibrant duo
has been together for the past five years, and is one of the most admired
couples in the city. One is a Senior Designer at MAS Intimates, a Fashion
Designer in her own right, is highly sought-after as a Ballroom/Latin dancer
and DanceFit Instructor and is religiously followed by fans on social media.
The other is a Fitness Instructor at High Octane Fitness, a male model and one
of the most romantic and devoted husbands a girl could ever ask for; I am
talking about none other than Tarja De Silva and Alberto Ruiz, who grace our
cover this issue!
Watching both of them working together at the shoot, it’s easy to see that Tarja and
Alberto vibe together perfectly and bring out each other’s personalities in the
best possible way. This lively and high-spirited couple are the ultimate relationship
goals and are so much fun to be around as they possess an enthusiasm for their
life, work and everything else in general that is just infectious. It’s very
refreshing to see two people fit together so perfectly that they are like two
halves of a whole; when they come together, absolute magic happens as they
bring out the best in each other. Their story will make any jaded or disillusioned
soul believe in true love again, and a Disney movie should seriously be made
about these two!
Alberto comes from a family of four boys. One day he packed up and
moved to Bristol, UK with the plan of either going big or going home. The
latter wasn’t necessary though; when you leave your comfort zone, magic happens,
and magic did happen to him in the form of Tarja who danced into his life at a
salsa class and the rest is history.
Tarja was in the UK studying Fashion Design and was naturally
pursuing dancing as well. She was in her final year when they met at a salsa
class. Tarja could not resist the best-looking male in the room or his dance
moves and still has the slip of paper on which his phone number was written! Just
like the many ironies of life, Tarja had to leave for Sri Lanka three weeks later,
but they kept in touch and their romance blossomed over the miles, proof that
LDRs’(Long Distance Relationships) can work out with the right amount of
commitment.
Six months later, an opening for a fitness instructor came up at High
Octane Fitness, and Alberto was more than willing to move to Sri Lanka and take it, but
commitment, adjustments and big decisions were involved and all that at such an
early stage in any relationship is bound to be more than a little overwhelming.
However Tarja being Tarja, took it all in stride and made things work, making the
transition from fairy-tale to real life a good one, which goes to show that any
relationship can work out if the pair believes in and does not give up on each other (people, take
notes).
It’s very endearing how Alberto is completely fine with Tarja being
the star, but when you’re next to one, some of the spotlight falls on you as
well. Some partners want to be sole receivers of all the attention, but Alberto
is completely fine with the way things are; that says a lot about his character
and how secure and grounded he is (boys, take notes).
Today we take a look beyond the glam pictures of their lifestyle
that we see on social media, and gain insights into what these two balls of
energy are truly like.
Esteem: I’m sure you may have been asked this question before, but how do
you maintain your weight while travelling?
Tarja: When I travel, I really don’t watch my calories…I eat whatever I
want, because who wants to watch calories while travelling? Plus when we
travel, we walk a lot as Alberto is a huge fan of walking and no matter what
time it is, we go exploring, so I can afford to eat all the gelatos, cheese and
have all the wine I want as the calories are burned off! Anyway we are very
active even while on holiday – we’re not the ‘stay in a room and watch TV’ sort
of people, in fact – we need a holiday after our holidays!
Esteem: Tarja, you have a beautiful smile…what makes you laugh, smile, and
be joyful?
Tarja: It doesn’t take much to make me happy…you have to always stay
positive and count your blessings! I would say that the simple things in life,
such as being near my family, my husband and my close friends are what make me
the happiest. I definitely count Dancing as one of my happy places! A person’s
source of joy is being who they really are and doing what they really love.
Esteem: Alberto, how did the two of you meet, and what was the first thing
that attracted you to Tarja?
Alberto: Tarja gives out this energetic and positive vibe which uplifts not
just her, but everyone else around her.
Esteem: Alberto, how would you describe your philosophy about being fit and
healthy?
Alberto: I don’t believe that you have to push yourself into working out and
desperately count calories in order to look great. What you see on social media
is the ‘perfect body illusion’ portrayal as a business for people who want to
sell their fitness products; most of what we see on social media is not real
and is actually being marketed to us. The people who come to my classes lead
real lives…they go to work, they have kids, they go out and eat, drink, have
dessert, the works! If they want to look like a certain fitness model and
follow a strict diet and a heavy workout plan, there’s a good chance of them
giving up after 2-3 weeks as it cannot be sustained. I tell my clients to
strike a balance between what they like and what they want; I believe that the
more they restrict themselves, the greater their chances are of going overboard
and making unhealthy food choices. So I have them make flexible meal choices
that would let them enjoy what they like, yet also eat healthily.
Esteem: What were the most important things you learned from your
respective parents?
Tarja: From my father, I definitely learnt his perseverance and his work
ethic. He started from grass-root level and worked hard to get to where he is
now, and I really admire how he has earned his position and where he is today. From my mum, I admire the patience she had
with me and I don’t know how she did it because I was a difficult child, but she’s
so selfless and her whole life’s dedication to me is something that I can never
repay.
Alberto: They taught me the value of hard work and how to respect
people.
Esteem: What would both of you say are the keys to a successful
relationship?
Both: There’s a key? Can we have it? (They don’t really need a key, why
are they asking for it?!)
Tarja: It’s really about understanding and respecting each other. You have
to let your significant other grow the way they need to and know how to; never
restrict them from anything. Trying to change a person is equivalent to
controlling them – breaking their spirit and making them feel like they’re not
good enough is the worst type of relationship anyone could ever be in. If you
find a partner that truly accepts you for who you are, you are sorted for life.
Alberto: For example, I met Tarja while dancing and that was one of the
reasons I fell in love with her, so what right do I have to ask her to give it
up just because I don’t like seeing her dancing with other guys? Nobody has the
right to ask their partner to give up something they are really skilled
at/talented in! Our relationship is successful because we give each other space
to grow and evolve. We’re pretty laid back in our relationship, we don’t set
any rules and we’re not insecure about one another. I think the key to any
successful relationship is to have a complete sense of who you really
are, then that way you can be absolutely relaxed and sure of your partner.
Reader’s note: The only time they do disagree is when Tarja
has taken on too many work appointments and Alberto gets upset with her for not
getting enough rest!
Esteem: How do you make quality time for each other with your busy
schedules?
Both: Weekdays are insane…we only see each other at night, when we have
dinner and go to bed! Some weekends can also be quite hectic, but there are the
ones where we take a little trip out of Colombo and spend quality time together.
Esteem: Can you share a memorable story with us?
Tarja: I was training some kids for a dance competition and one day, my
colleagues from dancing told me that we had a show in Trinco which was on the
same day as the competition. As they had specifically asked for me and Kevin, I
agreed to go. A few days before the ‘competition’, Alberto offered to pack my
suitcase for me and even said he’s coming with me to ‘Trinco’. I thought that
was really weird because I’m quite picky with my packing, so he lets me do it
myself. I felt there was something fishy, but I let it go. I had a very busy
week and when we left on Friday, I was so tired that I fell asleep in the
vehicle. When I woke up, Alberto and I were at the airport and there was no
sign of Kevin or the dancers! I was so confused and asked Alberto what was
going on, but he remained mysterious. As he had my passport with him, I had no
idea where I was going when I got to the check-in; he even passed through immigration
for me! I did not know what was happening until we got to the gate and when I
found out that we were going to Maldives, I was thrilled as it is one of my
favourite holiday destinations. We stayed in this stunning resort and went on a
really romantic sunset cruise. That night at dinner, Alberto presented me with
a beautiful bouquet of roses and PROPOSED TO ME! The ring was hidden in the
roses! Words cannot describe how I felt; shocked, delighted and just over the
moon! That was one fairy-tale proposal and that weekend will never be
forgotten!
Esteem: What do you feel is your responsibility to your community?
Tarja: I love to dance and as that is my calling, I would like to teach
someone how to do that and mostly to people who haven’t had much exposure. I
have done dance training with kids at many dance schools and I may open my own
dance studio someday, but there are no solid plans for that as yet. I would
also like to work more towards women’s empowerment, because even in this day
and age, there is a lot of female discrimination and women are still slandered,
in person and on social media. I don’t think anyone has the right to sit behind
a screen and judge people, so I support the life ethic about women empowering
themselves to do whatever they like, without being bullied by people. Women
should know their self-worth and stand up for themselves.
Esteem: Where do you see yourselves 10 years from now?
Tarja: We hardly know what we’re going to do next week! I love dancing and
performing and I want to give that back to society. It has always been my dream
to open my own dancing studio, but I don’t know when I will do so. The one
thing I do know is that whether I do or not, I will always continue to dance.
Our goals are to better ourselves every day, grow and evolve. We actually know
more about when our holidays will be than our life plans, because the best part
of about Life is not knowing where our road will take us next.
You can have an idea of what you want to do and where you see yourself, but the
bottom line is that life just happens and you can’t really plan it. It’s about
taking the best of the situation you are in and making it work. It’s nice to
always be open to change.
Alberto: It’s a good idea to have pencil sketches of what you want, and keep
the eraser with you as well! If you had told me six years ago that I would move
to England, meet the love of my life and find myself travelling around South
Asia and working in Sri Lanka, I would never have believed you, because I did
not see myself doing that! Life is full of challenges and I want to see us growing,
improving and evolving into better people than we already are.
Some of you might say that Tarja and Alberto are happy people because
they get a lot of exercise. That’s partly true and all of you should take a
trip down to the gym, like right now! But seriously, the actual reason they exude
such lively and vivacious vibes is because they are living their lives to the
fullest and on their own terms.
By Michelle Alles & Photography by Anushka Sanjaya Perera
I’ve had the fortune of meeting Kapila Palihawadana numerous times during the past year, and found his story a true inspiration. It is true when they say that artists really do suffer for their art, and this is quite true when it comes to dance as well. Consider the fact that when it comes to the aspect of art, there are many ideas that need to be looked into. Forever smiling away, Kapila is very enthusiastic with his work and he also is very committed to dance as a whole. I had the fortune of interviewing Paul Upali Gouëllo a few issues back, and it really did broaden my perspective when it came to understanding how dance can be an extension of one’s personality.
Having studied Kandyan Dancing for many years and even the geta beraya, I know the hours or dedication that one needs to put into mastering an art form. Kapila has dedicated his entire life to his art, which is an art form that I find very hard to describe. I’ve seen him and his entire dance troupe — nATANDA — in action, and it is truly an unbelievable example of artistry. I suppose the best way I can describe what he does is by saying that it is a melting pot of dance styles that is both Eastern and Western. There are definitely elements of Kandyan dancing and ballet as well. Interestingly, there are also elements of Angampora with a great deal of emotional flailing of the limbs and incredible acrobatic jumps that can only be thought of as magical.
Yet at this particular juncture, I would think it is best that we talk a bit about Kapila’s background, which is very interesting to say the least. Having studied contemporary dance in Ohio in the US, he decided to start a contemporary dance troupe that focused on the various dance styles that he has experienced throughout his life. This was an idea that was born in the early 2000 era, and it is something that he worked hard at to differentiate. While his exposure has been international in a sense, he truly did believe in giving enthusiastic Lankans a chance at choosing an alternative career. When there is hardly any opportunity around, then there is no commitment and discipline. Ultimately, dance in all its forms do not have a chance to flourish locally; and, this is something that he wants to change specially for the future generations.
One of the most proactive initiatives that Kapila has started is known as nATFEST. It was an effort in bringing the whole concept of dance to a wider audience. Speaking about his dancers, he mentions how they are very geared towards learning as much as they can; as a testament to how accepted his philosophy with regard to dance is, he talks of how his dancers have practiced and performed with him for close to two decades. Kapila has launched some groundbreaking productions recently and can only be described as being incredibly visionary to say the least. He also believes in the youth and how dedicated they are simply because they are very forward-thinking. Additionally he firmly believes that more exposure is required in order to create a sense of enthusiasm from the younger generations. This is where nATFEST comes in; the latter festival of dance has hosted dancers from Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, South Korea, Germany, Lebanon, USA, Malaysia, Russia, India, Switzerland, Australia and Luxembourg over the past few years and has mesmerized over 8,000 audience members collectively.
Art is indubitably a medium that can help people connect and even overcome boundaries. It is something that can help communities unite and not end up falling for divisive politics. While there is certainly an underlying focus on unity and embracing culture whilst also giving an opportunity to the younger generation, when it comes to sheer entertainment value, Kapila and his inimitable dance troupe is unparalleled in all aspects. Svelte and flexible, his dancers stay true to form and showoff the fruits of hard discipline by stretching the boundaries of physical endurance. I’ve been to many of his productions, and the combination of music and ideology along with the various dance forms that are displayed is breathtaking to watch.
