Category: Features

Dearest Girija…

I thought it apt to wear a kurtha-inspired shirt that day as I knocked on the tall, black gates of India House. A moment later, as the gates opened wide, I stood dwarfed by the rolling gardens and the vista that housed the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and his wife. It truly was a scene that took my breath away. Anyone who has had the opportunity and privilege to visit this glorious place would surely agree.

Walking towards what was indubitably a grand mansion replete with copious amounts of expensive wood, and stern-looking mustachioed bodyguards, I mustered my errant thoughts. It took a certain kind of will to dispel whatever giddy atoms of nervousness that floated between my neurons, before I was ushered into the living room.

Good thing I wore the kurtha-esque shirt, I thought. Place me between the vast shelves of books, and I would have blended in properly with the ambient lighting and copious pieces of antique furniture. It was during this uncanny and anxiety-riddled thought that Girija walked in armed with two pugs, offered a disarming smile, sat and said that we could begin.

I took a deep breath, opened my mouth and choked. Nervousness brought on by interviewing VVIPs surely should have its own hallowed name and place in medical lexicon, my mind raged, as I took another deep breath, and let her speak. As Girija spoke, I listened, and couldn’t help but think of Maharani Gayatri Devi. Needless to say, I was enamored by the embodiment of simplicity and quiet class before me.

It’s true: I didn’t hear a word she said at first. She seemed to be more preoccupied talking to her pugs, which was when I realized that she was actually talking to me. She took me on a journey throughout her life, and was assured that it was not all baubles and riches. One cannot always reside in an ivory tower, she murmured.

Unlike your stereotypically spoilt diplomat, Girija’s life didn’t reek of the proverbial bed of roses. There were a great deal of challenges to overcome. The only silver spoon I saw that day was when I was served short eats. But just like the fine emotive swirls that adorned such exotic silverware, Girija’s life took on different inspired paths as well. It was and is a life that can only be described as a mosaic of achievements with their concomitant challenges.

Appearances are deceiving, dear reader. I sat before a woman who might be petite, and soft spoken, but this is an individual who was once upon a time a visiting lecturer at NYU (teaching Renaissance Art), and at CUNY (lecturing on a comparative study of Greek and Indian mythology); teaches meditation and self-healing; is a published author and a journalist; speaks 8 languages; manages a household with ruthless efficiency; cooks a Mutton Rogan Josh to die for; makes pasta from scratch; practices Reiki; and still has the charm and skill to blend in perfectly at a cocktail party boasting fountains of Möet and platters of caviar.

What do you crave, dear Girija? I crave learning — she divulged. And this is what she has dedicated her life to. Maybe this craving has something to do with the genes she inherited from her father (a publisher) and mother (a professor of entomology).

To deracinate is to tear something up by the roots, and this is what she has happily endured as her husband flies from one country to another. But while in Sri Lanka, she adores Nuwara Eliya since the cool climes served to remind her of her own home up north. One of her most treasured highlights in Serendipity was the trek to World’s End while her favorite city would be Galle.

Opportunity keeps company with those who are willing and able, and Girija has thrown herself to learning everything she possibly could in the many different cultures she has been fortunate enough to experience. Citing Plato’s Republic a favorite, she went onto mention that she treasures that 90s classic — Gattaca —when it comes to the silver screen.

How could I possibly conclude an interview without inquiring about any particular penchant she may have for Lankan cuisine? I’m quite fond of the Jaffna Crab Curry, she whispered, citing Ministry of Crab as an all-time favorite restaurant.

Treasuring well over three decades as a diplomat, Girija leaves with her husband to a new land where she will offer much-needed support to his role as a diplomat. Before I left India House, I was left to ponder a simple statement that defined this inimitable lady — I always look forward, and never backward. Consider me an eternal student, Rohitha. This is what truly excites me.

Gerald Solomons pauses

By Uditha Devapriya

People have stories to tell. More often than not, they have reasons for what they do, a higher destiny that propels them to stray into the fields of human enterprise they always wanted to work on. Then there are those who live for the moment, or at least give the impression of so doing, trusting that same higher destiny to do what others have consciously compelled unto themselves.

Gerald Solomons, owner (in more ways than one) of the top end hair salon Chagall, probably has more reasons than one for the career he’s set for himself. He is (and certainly gives the impression of being) enterprising, though he’s decorated his life with those unpredictable, quirky details (such as his choice of name for his salon, after an arty, avant-garde painter) which help explain a happy-go-lucky existence.

ESTEEM sat with Gerald some time back. We had questions to ask. He had a story to tell.

  1. Could you describe your childhood, education, and experiences in life and work until now?

I began my life in this field of work as a trainee hairdresser and progressed as a senior stylist.

After my family and I migrated to Australia, I opened Chagall in Sydney and later in Auckland. I had the opportunity with that to widen my horizons by attending to the hair care of many celebrities.

I also have attended many workshops and given demonstrations in hair styling and cutting techniques. My experiences took me to the fashion capitals of the world: London, Milan, Paris, and of course Australia.

 

  1. In a nutshell, how did you get into this industry?

 As a child, I was always fascinated by hair and makeup as my mother went for her hair care to Salon Moira, owned by the formidable Moira Muthukrishna. That more or less tilted me towards the profession, from an early age. From then on I worked at Moira and became a senior hair stylist. I suspect that I never shall regret this decision as I have come to realise that it’s become my lifeblood.

 

  1. Could you describe a normal day at Chagall?

That’s a tricky one to answer. Well, a normal day can be described as hectic, challenging, exciting and vibrant, well worth every bit of the day, depending on how you see it.

Our clients, to whom we are always grateful for their patronage, help us assess ourselves in ways which in turn help them to get better services from our staff. It’s basically a two-way street: they assess us, we assess ourselves.

 

  1. What was and is it about Chagall that differentiates it from other top-end salons?

Chagall is always unique. It has atmosphere, vibrancy, colour, attitude, skills. It is staffed by people who are serious about what they do. This was what it was and it is what it is, and to go even further, it is what it always will be.

 

  1. How do you manage to balance your career and your life?

Simple. My life is my career and my career is my life. Everything revolves around this concept. There are those who claim lives outside their careers, and they may consider that a blessing, but I for one can never go beyond the borders of my profession. It’s become almost an obsession, a garden to water and tend to almost, and it always shall be.

 

  1. Time for some out of the blue questions. Who do you consider as your three most profound influences?

Firstly, our customers. Without them there is no life or career. So, I say thanks to all of them past present and future.

Secondly, my staff, both here in Sri Lanka and overseas. Without them there is no life or career.

Thirdly, to all those who have helped me shape my life and career, starting with Moira Muthukrishna, and also my parents for understanding why a boy wanted to be a hairdresser.

 

  1. How much have you learnt from your interactions with your customers and staff?

Our customers gave us the challenges, the opportunity to create and be innovative to get us to where we are now. They still do challenge us, and we are grateful.

As for my staff, that they contribute in creative ways through their own experiences, their ability to learn and interact with customers in a very positive way, and much, much more. They have taught me as much as I have taught them.

 

  1. Here’s a wacky question. What would your hypothetical three biggest wishes for the future be?

Wacky, is it?

Well, my first wish would be for Chagall to be on top despite the many challenges and threats (both friendly and unfriendly) that continue to beset us.

My second wish would be to be content with what has been achieved and improve on quality.

My third wish would be to be in good health for me to carry the Chagall Flag for many, many years to come.

All three wishes are to do with the present, and more pertinently the future. They are as valid as they were when I first formed them in the back of my mind a long time ago.

 

  1. What are your current plans and your (not so distant) future plans?

Currently, to enhance our skills and experiences as those are what make actual and prospective customers appreciate. How can we achieve that? By transforming ourselves to a truly top-end professional personal care service.

With regard to the not so distant future, our plan would be to progressively educate people about the fact that this is a noble profession and that’s why there are top end salons that cater to their demands here and there.

We would like also to encourage our children to take a second look at this profession, to not belittle it and consider it as beneath their dignity. That has everything to do with sweeping aside prejudice and preconceived mindsets and I believe we can do it, if we set our hearts and minds to it.

 

  1. Any words of wisdom or points to ponder, looking back?

Always be yourself, right within the image you have created for yourself, and never forget those who have been in your life and career. I have stuck to that credo. It’s worked wonders, I can tell you that much.

Italian Duo bring Authentic and Rare Truffles to Waters Edge

Chef Simone Gobbo grew up in the Italian countryside and was introduced to authentic Italian cuisine at an early age. As his love for the distinct ingredients that make-up some of the world’s most famous dishes grew, he began to explore and create signature dishes of his own. Many years later, he now finds himself in a little paradise isle off the Indian subcontinent called Sri Lanka. Today, Chef Simone together with his food and wine consultant partner Leonardo Ricci are the masterminds behind the authentic Italian restaurant “Pranzo” at Waters Edge.

 

Returning to Sri Lanka in early November, the duo together with the management of Waters Edge out together a unique event featuring what has been dubbed the most expensive ingredient in the kitchen-the white truffle. The “Truffles & Truffles” promotion which was a special evening of authentic dishes featuring rare White Truffles was held on the 5th of November at The Link, Waters Edge, and was sold out to discerning and enthusiastic clientele.

 

Truffles which are essentially a unique variety of mushroom are usually found growing in close proximity to roots of several tree species including beech, poplar, oak, birch, hornbeam, hazel, and pine. The prized White Truffle is found only a few times a year mainly in the Langhe and Montferrat areas of northern Italy and, most famously, in the countryside around the cities of Alba and Asti. It is from these regions that the Waters Edge specially brought down truffles which offered local guests a truly gourmand experience.

 

White truffles were featured in such gastronomical delights as poached eggs served with white truffle, pumpkin soup with white truffle shavings, Prosecco and casatella D’Altamarca risotto, slow cooked beef chicks, leeks foam and crushed potatoes with white truffles and passion fruit meringue, vanilla mouse, almond and candied fruit sponge topped with white truffles for dessert. To add a touch of class to the evening, Sommelier and Consultant Leonardo used his refined knowledge of all things fine to couple the dishes with the perfect wines.

 

Commenting on the special promotion Waters Edge General Manager Rohan Fernandopulle noted, “Waters Edge is synonymous with novelty and this time around we introduced one of the most unique and sought after ingredients in global kitchens, the truffle. In keeping with our tradition to bring only the best to our guests, our ingredients were brought down especially from Italy and were used in dishes skillfully prepared by our culinary experts”.

Apart from this special promotion, Chef Simone and Leo are also responsible for the authentic menu that Pranzo showcases on a daily basis. Prawn ravioli, beef lasagna and a variety of traditional pizzas with not-so traditional toppings are some of the crowd favourites. Coupled with the plush interiors and stunning views that are synonymous with Waters Edge, Pranzo is perhaps one of the better Italian restaurants in town. With prices to match the level of service, the hotel

Tiesh celebrates the mystique of Black Silver with ‘Black Temptations’

With the forthcoming festive season literally around the corner, Tiesh, one of Sri Lanka’s leading contemporary jewellers proudly presents ‘Black Temptations’, a collection of exquisite black silver jewellery lavishly studded with precious and semi-precious Sri Lankan gem stones.

Says Ayesh De Fonseka, Director of Tiesh and the creative mind behind the collection, “The black rhodium plated 925 sterling silver collection presents itself in an amazing range of shades of grey … ranging from enigmatic deep dark greys to almost full black … bringing out an ephemeral element of illusion and mystique. Enhancing this mood and heightening the element of colour and fantasy is the delightful array of sparkling Sri Lankan gem stones which liberally embellish each piece of jewellery”.

‘Black Temptations’ is an enigmatic collection that inspires a kaleidoscope of moods in different people from cocktail to ‘glam-night-out’ and from casual to gala. It is a very sensory experience rooted in mystique. This unique collection both tantalises and appeals to the visual and creative sense of the discerning woman. It allures her with unique and one-of-a-kind pieces such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pendants and rings, each piece seamlessly complementing the other. Each piece also stands out strikingly, either singly or in an ensemble.

“Black Temptations is special in that it is also our very first major collection since we opened our state-of-the-art showroom at Duplication Road, opposite the Liberty Arcade earlier on this year. We’re very keen to take this collection to all segments of the market and have made it very price-friendly and very affordable thus appealing to all customer profiles, from mid-range to upper end”, De Fonseka added.

Adding to the uniqueness of Black Temptations is the novel experience where customers can sit with the highly experienced Tiesh jewellery designers and create their own pieces. “This, I’m firmly convinced, is very important to a woman where her self-designed piece becomes an extension of herself and literally becomes her alter-ego. There is a unique bond and one that lasts forever”, he affirmed.

The stones used in Black Temptations are all locally sourced and bring the best of Sri Lanka precious and semi-precious stones into focus. They have all predominantly come from Ratnapura, with a few from the Matale, and Kandy regions. Each stone, and then each piece, passes through the eagle-eye scrutiny of the De Fonseka Family which takes a personal interest from the purchasing of stones through the entire production process up to the finished product.

Tiesh is a highly focused family entrepreneurship with a three decade heritage of high quality jewellery and impeccable craftsmanship. Founder / Managing Director Lasantha De Fonseka and his wife Bryony are today joined by the second generation, daughter Thiyasha and their son Ayesh who ensure that every piece is unique and thus special.

Located at Duplication Road in Kollupitiya, opposite the Liberty Arcade, Tiesh is not only a jewellery store with a reputation to match. It is also an engaging and hands-on learning experience. A preferred destination by a large numbers of foreign visitors, it houses a gemological museum, a testing laboratory, an auditorium, a jewellery workshop and a replica of a gem mine which is a draw among both local and foreign clients.

Caption for PHOTO – Ayesh De Fonseka, Director of Tiesh explains the pieces to the media and the guests at the launch.

ORNELLA GUNESEKERE: BEAUTY THAT IS MORE THAN JUST SKIN DEEP

One of the brightest stars that illuminate the Sri Lankan Pageant Industry, Miss Grand Sri Lanka 2015 Ornella Gunesekera is the living embodiment of the power of faith.

Her eyes display the charm of a youth and the determination of one who understands the true meaning of life; seated comfortably at Breakfast in the Mount Lavinia Hotel, Ornella opens her heart out to Esteem Magazine about her life, beliefs and the long and persevering journey that got her to where she is today.

 

“My first fashion show was on 4th December 2009. I was like, 16. It was at the Hilton,” she reminisces, adding that she was bundle of nerves in her first show. A self proclaimed ‘shy girl’ Ornella says that one of the main reasons that kept her in the modeling and pageant industry was energy rush that one gets on the ramp. “As a sport person, I know the feeling, the rush of adrenaline… I love that.”

In 2010, Ornella was given the opportunity to participate in Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Universe. Her striking beauty and intelligence was recognized by National Director for Miss Universe Rosita Wickremesinghe who nominated her as Sri Lanka’s entry for Miss Tourism International. Reliving those moments with a smile, Ornella adds that she was a ‘lost cause’ in a sea of well prepared contestants. “I didn’t know how to do my makeup and my hair. I went for this pageant in China and my roommate Ms Singapore did my hair and makeup for me,” she gushes. Nonetheless she was able to gain valuable experience and insight into the life of a pageant contestant.

As representative of Sri Lanka, Ornella was awarded the second chance to hone her skills and shine the light of Lanka on an international platform at the Miss Tourism pageant in 2011. “That was when I realized that I really like pageants.  There you get to showcase your personality and speak with people and you learn about different cultures, languages and different perspectives… people are so different from one country to another and I really love that.”  Ornella’s etiquette and respect for her fellow contestants won her the title of Miss Friendship in the pageant and further placed her in the Top 15 amidst 54 representatives. Her third and final international pageant, Miss Grand International held earlier this year marks Ornella as one of the most successful contestants in the history of the Sri Lankan chapter. Placing Top 20 in the Swimsuit and National Costume categories, Ornella moved from strength to strength as she was placed in the Top 10 from 78 countries and further awarded the title of Miss Popularity.  Her success speaks volumes about her attitude to life, and her never-say-die attitude is to be admired.

Despite her love for the industry, Ornella is quick to proclaim that as a young teenager growing up amidst a host of male cousins, she never really intended to be a model or a beauty queen. “I was a tomboy. I am the only girl in my whole family, and so I grew up playing basketball, watching wrestling…” An avid sports player in her younger days, Ornella states that her one true passion was to excel in sports, adding that she especially loved to play basketball.

Little did she imagine then that she would have to face some of the darkest years of her life; “I injured my spine when I was 14. I had a fall during one of the basketball games and the vertebral column slipped and today I have two rods and four screws in my spine.”  Her honest but shocking revelation is met with a moment of silence and I begin to comprehend the immense mental and physical suffering she must have endured in the flower of her life. “It was horrible because for seven years I suffered in pain and I was almost paralyzed. I lost all feeling in one leg. The doctor said that my brain is giving the signals, but my leg didn’t move… it was really scary.”

Speaking of life after the incident Ornella says that was forced to give up all of her sporting activities, and be extremely careful about her movements. “As far as working out, it was just physiotherapy for my back and walking. For two years I was obviously upset. I went through a bit of depression and I had to be homeschooled.” Taking a moment to explain Ornella says that the accident made her realize how precious life is; being in place of absolute despair, with the crushing weight of darkness engulfing her in its totality, Ornella was able to find the light of faith within sher heart. “It’s when you are broken that you really discover who you are and who God is,” she states emphatically.  When I was a gold medalist and excelling at sports, I felt that I can do anything, I am powerful… but God made me realize the truth. My spine is the turning point for my realization.”

A firm believer in the formative power manifest in the spoken word, Ornella surrounded herself with positive affirmations in a bid to escape her depressive state.  “I made sure that I put positive things around me and I made sure that I used colours. I am very visual, so I wrote things out and I put them on my wall.” Ornella now realizes that life is all about seeking the joy in everything. “I look at everything and I see life in it. Because I believe in the power of words, all these quotes helped me. I find myself believing them. When you read or hear something, somehow, it can affect you.”

Walking the ramp in high heels isn’t always an easy option for Ornella, who was in constant pain for a long while after her surgery. Going against doctor’s advice, she explains how she recovered to walk the ramp at her pageants; “even the doctor couldn’t explain it. There are only four stages of any medical condition and I was at stage 3+; the doctor said that I should be paralyzed, but I walked.” In the pageant this year, Ornella was determined to show her versatility as a contestant and despite her inability to bend or twist due to the screws in her spine. “I don’t want to be treated differently; a lot of times I have been discriminated and even at the pageant I didn’t get selected for the dance number at first… but I practiced all night and the next day they did the audition again and I ended up being in the middle of the stage!” The value of hard work not to be underestimated, Ornella was able to persevere with unwavering passion and devotion.

Her words and actions reveal the true desires of her heart. Citing her accident and the time spent in medical care of watchful nurses and doctors as her inspiration Ornella states that her ideal job is in the field of service; as a woman with a new lease on life, she believes in sharing her experiences and her story with those in need. “I help the doctor who did my surgery… as a person who has made through many spine surgeries I answer people’s questions and try to help them through it. It’s a counseling service.” Speaking further she adds, “I like to work with customers and to make sure they have everything taken care of. I want to have a profession where every day is an act of service.”

Displaying wisdom beyond her years, Ornella acknowledges the heavy responsibility of her role with the following words; “I’ve been in two places in my heart; one is do I want to be a person who has the voice who speak for others? And then on the other side I am scared because if I do something wrong, then someone else can be mislead.” To be held accountable for every word and action can be tiring, and yet Ornella remains unfazed in the magnitude of it all. “I would say, don’t look to be someone. Do what you do every day to your best. If it’s good, you will get noticed.  If you commit to something do it with a full heart. . You can’t get into this industry if you want to be popular, because you will get discouraged. I always say remember why you started,” she advises, unveiling the secret to her success.

In a country where the Pageant Industry is judged with a conservative viewpoint, Ornella has managed to hold her own with a high level of professionalism and integrity. The road has rarely been smooth and yet she is able to shake off meaningless negativity with a simple wave of her faith. She lives her life with a thankful heart, and each day Ornella celebrates her life and appreciates the beauty in everything she perceives… and it is this beautiful attitude is what sets her apart as one of the brightest stars of the future.

South Indian Stars create magic at Rhythmantra

Compliment the Best Western Elyon for a Pleasing Stay in Colombo

 

The magic of South Indian cinema was brought to life by much-loved musicians from the region right here in Sri Lanka at the invitation of the Best Western Elyon Colombo recently. The four hour musical extravaganza titled “Rhythmantra” was organized by Abzolute Infinity and featured popular artists such as Reihana, Harish Raghavendra, Padmalatha, M K Balaji, Shashaa Tirupati and Eden Kuriakose. Held at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, the concert saw some of the favourites from Kollywood performed by exceptional musicians.

 

The opening act was performed by Eden Kuriakose who is a young and dynamic Tamil and Malayalam actress. Perhaps her biggest film to-date would a Tamil-Malayalam bilingual titled Ini Varum Naatkal in Tamil and Girls in Malayalam. The film features only female artists and is the first all-women film in Indian cinema.

 

The highlight of the show was Reihana (also known as Rayhanah) who is both a playback singer and film composer. But she is perhaps better known as the sister of Indian music maestro A R Rahman. She collaborated with her brother on a song for the score of the award winning film Kannathil Muthamittal in 2002. She also sang the controversial song from the movie Chocolate.

 

Harish Raghavendra, an Indian vocalist and actor from Chennai best known for his songs from hit movies such as Minnale, Kadhal Kondein, Youth, Shahjahan and Dhaam Dhoom, performed many of these hit tracks to a packed audience at Nelum Pokuna.

 

Coming hot off a series of high profile song recordings for big names in the Indian music industry, singer Padmalatha brought in all her enthusiasm to the performance at Rhythmantra. In conversation with us, she proudly notes that singing for big films eventually helped her to get more projects which she is keenly looking forward to. The singer is also on a high after receiving a compliment from singer SP Balasubrahmanyam. She says, “SPB sir made a special mention about my song and my style of singing. I am pleased to receive this compliment from him.”

 

With over 100 playback songs sung for noted music directors MK Balaji is probably best known for his collaboration with the Michale Jackson of Indian cinema, Prabhu Deva on a single titled “Dhool Tucker” which is an Indian cricket song sung in English.

 

Bringing in a bit of the Bollywood side of Indian cinema was Shashaa Tirupati, a playback singer, songwriter and voice over artist of Indo-Canadian origin, with family roots in Kashmir. She was noticed by Academy Award Winner A R Rahman after she had auditioned for his episode of Coke Studio Season 3 and went on to be a part of his Hindustani Choir for the show. She was nominated for the Big Music Awards: Tamil 2015 and won the Mirchi Music Award as

They believed they could… And they did!

LAILA GUNESEKERE-MARTENSTYN & HOWARD MARTENSTYN

An achievers profile.

She is from Venus, he’s definitely Mars. His feet are firm on the ground, she’s in mid-air. He’s entwined with the natural world; she’s unapologetically a concrete jungle kind of girl.

City girl? Nature boy?

How did their two worlds even collide? But collide they did and while on a personal level her zig complements his zag their professional lives lead them on diametrically diverse but equally successful paths.

Laila Gunesekere now also Martenstyn and Howard Martenstyn met on a night some Decembers ago with no idea they would marry 3 years later. He didn’t realize she was Gemini and he was getting two for the price of one. She never thought he’d actually expect her to go camping!

But today as they amicably wrestle for the television remote they know that for both travel is true therapy, never mind that his leads to the underwater world and hers goes straight to the mall!

Their passion for the lives they lead has fueled an intrinsic desire to excel. They have been recognized, celebrated and highly awarded and they ain’t stopping now. Not by a long shot!

Laila Gunesekere-Martenstyn learnt that A is for Advertising and forgot about the rest of the alphabet. She has made this world her world from the age of 17 – even before university – starting at the very bottom of the ladder; she mastered every rung before moving to the next one. From junior writer to senior writer / account executive, to Group Head, / Account Manager, to Creative Director, to Executive Creative Director, to Director – Board of Management to Vice President of Grant Advertising, and Director of Response Marketing, Grant Public Relations & Juice Productions, the bottom of the ladder seems far away now but her head is not quite in the clouds. “I learnt something different from every step and am proud to have started at the bottom with no helping hand. Be completely self made, aim high in your careers but stay grounded in your heart. It works” she candidly said.

Over the years she has very proudly been included in innumerable Sri Lankan Institute of Marketing Creative & Effectiveness Awards as well as Chili & Sumathi Creative Awards. She has been awarded a Gold Medal for Presentation Skills at the McCann Leadership Program in Princeton followed soon after by the HK McCann Award for Leadership Excellence. In 2006 the Zonta Club of Sri Lanka honored her with the Woman of Achievement Award for Advertising. She has also been a recipient of the 1000 voices award for Social Marketing. More recently she received the Global Super Achiever Award for advertising in Mumbai India Last year. Committed to developing the industry as a whole she has twice been President of the 4A’s (Accredited Advertising Agencies Association) & twice President of the IAA (International Advertising Association). She has also twice been included in the 50 most Powerful Women in Business listing and last month was honored by being selected to the international Spikes Jury in Singapore. She also actively supports the Women In Need and the School for the Deaf & Blind.

Howard Martenstyn climbed a very different type of ladder. If possible he swam to the top. A man passionately in pursuit of never discovered before research and information on Sri Lanka’s wondrous marine life, his post retirement years have been anything but relaxing. And have resulted in appreciative accolades galore. 3 years of waking up at 2 in the morning of painstaking photography, writing, re-writing and re-re- writing, his best selling 272 page book ‘Out of the Blue’ was born. He borrowed from his design engineering roots & designed the entire book himself. He then embarked on teaching himself how to design a webpage and created SLAM – Sri Lanka’s Amazing Maritime. His maiden effort into the field of web design won him the Best Website Design – Travel & Tourism sector at this year’s Web Design Awards.

Shortly after, UK’s Natural Wildlife Safaris named him the Natural World Hero for August and he was featured on the website.

His current recognition culminated with him being included in the prestigious Marquis ‘Who’s Who in the World’ for his contribution to marine research.

Howard has plans for a new book, and is committed to educating school children, tourists and marine life watchers on best practices and protection of our marine life. He shares his knowledge of promoting conservation of marine life & maritime heritage through his website Slam.lk. Howard is a director of CRIOMM (Centre of Research for Indian Ocean Marine Mammals) and constantly gives talks and conducts symposiums on the subject. In his life before the world of marine mammals, he was an accomplished engineer at Nortel in Canada.

To know the true Howard and Laila better we asked them some candid questions and got back refreshing answers.

 

What, do you believe is the secret to your success?

LAILA – “it’s very simple – success is an attitude… wear it well. Know your business inside out. In advertising, understand your market completely, develop a deep knowledge of the brands you work on and cultivate a genuine respect & brilliant working relationship with clients. Your work must enhance their business, sell their products – Then & Only then are you successful.

Equally important for me, is that my door & my heart is always open to the people I work alongside. I don’t believe in just giving ideas & advice, I believe in working with.

HOWARD – Success is fuelled by passion and a burning desire to learn. You need to push yourself to the limit and then some. My personal success includes meticulous attention to detail and continuously searching for methods of improvement.

 

As Leaders in your fields, any Leadership tips?

LAILA – Leadership is a privilege that must be executed with substance & style. Always lead by example. Keep meetings short, tight & effective. Limit lengthy outbound e-mails, they are this millennials perfect excuse for semi – procrastination & real / work avoidance. Be open & always honest with your core team, impart knowledge, & contribute effectively every day. Don’t command or expect respect. Earn it.

HOWARD – A good leader evolves from a good follower, one who has experienced much and developed empathy to others. Always lead by example believing in continuous improvement and effective communication.

 

Any tips for a good marriage? Family life?

LAILA – Believe your partner is your equal and that at the core of every great marriage is a great friendship. To my children, I constantly remind them to do something for others every day. Give without question. Care without boundaries.

HOWARD – Communication & mutual respect is key as is work life balance. However important work is do not let it eat into core family time. Be there for each other in tough times and never bring up past mistakes.

 

In your words how do you describe yourself?

HOWARD – I’d much rather let other people describe me!

LAILA – I’m all about the sunshine and colour! I am passionately a people person, adore my family, dote on my dog, love my wonderful, fabulous friends, have a deep belief in God without whom I am nothing. My regrets are clichéd… could be richer, could be thinner, should be spoiled but am not!

I live vicariously though the work I do and the charities I support. I am ready now to embark on something new & have a few surprises in store!

JULIAN SIMONSZ: THE VOICE THAT MESMERISES

 

A captivating voice, a humble personality and a grateful heart… Australian born Sri Lankan music sensation Julian Simonsz has it all. In a candid interview with Esteem Prime magazine Julian speaks about his love for music and of the journey that lies ahead.    

A little over a year has passed since he burst into the music industry, crooning his way into the hearts of music fans across the globe with his dulcet tones. One of the most admired contestants of Season 3 of The Voice Australia, Julian Simonsz stunned one and all with his vocal prowess at the Blind Auditions, in which he was able to awe the judges with an enchanting rendition of Justin Timberlake’s Suit and Tie.

 

ON ENTERING THE MUSIC INDUSTRY…

The warm glow of memories sparked within, Julian speaks of his stint on the show with thinly veiled excitement. “I actually auditioned for the show the year before, but didn’t get through,” he laughs, adding earnestly that this initial rejection was what motivated him to do build a solid portfolio. In his determination to stand up and be accounted for his talent, Julian started singing covers of his favourite songs and releasing them across Youtube and Facebook, which gathered him a strong internet fan base. Many viewers were quick to praise this young singer’s extraordinary talent; and following the positive viewer reactions to his cover versions, Julian began to realize that the premise in fact carried immense potential for growth and recognition. “Nowadays globally we are so fortunate that we’ve got social media and all such things that are easily accessible. It’s just a click away and you can do music and put up for everyone to see. I first started doing covers for the sake of it, and I didn’t think strategically about it. But then I realized that new music is coming out all the time, and I thought, why don’t I take a new song as soon as it comes to the charts and take my spin on it,” he points out, adding that this gave him a solid basis for his second audition for The Voice Australia.

 

ON AUDITIONING FOR THE VOICE AUSTRALIA…  

Julian’s words ring with sense of achievement as he recalls the iconic moment that changed his life forever. Those who are familiar with the show and excitement of being on stage will undoubtedly empathize with Julian’s sentiment as he describes the rush of adrenaline which overcame his otherwise nervous temperament; “as soon as I heard the music, I had to compose myself and keep going,’ he remarks, explaining that the slow turning of the Judges chairs one after the other on the show was both nerve wracking and exhilarating at the same time. “I just had to keep going you know, but I just wanted to stop and scream.”

 

ON THE INFLUENCE OF MUSIC IN HIS LIFE…

The conversation veers towards his roots and Julian admits that music is in his blood; born into a family of musicians he confesses that he was initially a very self conscious performer who always preferred to hone his skills in the privacy of his bedroom. “I always thought that people would judge me and say this or that,” he explains, adding that this insecurity kept him from pursuing music until much later in his life. This further led Julian to seek his passion in the corporate field; however a Bachelors Degree in Industrial Design and a sudden change of career compelled him to review his life. “I realized that music has always been a part of it, so I thought why don’t I try to push myself with it and make a career out of it…” This revelation strengthened his self belief as he was motivated to redefine his life and strive towards perfection.

 

ON CREATING MUSIC…

A professionally trained musician with a Bachelor’s Degree in Audio Engineering Julian believes that one needs to develop respect for all types of music. In this regard he assures further that while he prefers to create more RnB commercialized tunes as an artist, his engineering background allows him to appreciate all types of music. “As a producer you need to know what’s out there in the market. I have learnt is that studying and watching what other artists are doing especially on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube is crucial for an artist,” he states, adding that his brand is largely inspired by artists such as Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson. An admirer of Justin Bieber’s latest compositions, Julian also insists that a singer also needs to evolve in his style or genre without losing the original vibe.

Speaking of his music, Julian states that writing the correct type of lyrics is as important as setting the appropriate melody; hence his first single I Do it For You is a classic example of a well written song with powerhouse lyrics and a soulful beat. Peaking at the 16th spot on the Australian iTunes chart, the song is a simple yet impassioned celebration of love, which showcases Julian’s wide vocal range. His second single “Get Home To You” is another well written verse with a more upbeat melody that is both catchy and passionate. Moreover the success of his first two singles has encouraged his heart to pursue new music, and he states with a smile, “I may put an album out or an EP soon. Ideally I would like to have something before I come back to Sri Lanka in February.”

 

 

ON THE ONE NIGHT ONLY SHOW…

His eyes shine with excitement as he speaks of his upcoming concert in 2016. “Showtown Entertainment and Ants Work have organized a One Night Only show in February next year. But the venue is not yet decided,” Julian discloses, adding that he will also be flying his band down from Australia to participate in the event. “It is more entertaining when you have a band than with a backing track, because you can’t do a whole set with backing tracks, and the energy these boys give is something different,” he muses as an afterthought.

 

ON SPRINTING DOWN THE ROAD TO SUCCESS…

Expressing his views on the road ahead, Julian says that he strives to give 100 percent at every juncture of his life. However the journey towards the zenith is not all smooth sailing, he says; and even though he is a rookie in the industry, Julian appears to have sound knowledge of the problems and challenges in his line of work.  “Selling my type of music is hard, so coming off the show I was trying to focus on commercializing my music instead of being as raw as I could. In Australia you have to try to get on the radio by doing commercial music, otherwise they don’t want to hear you, so I took my style and made it a little bit more ‘pop-like’ to cater a wider audience.” And yet, Julian is also on the lookout for an opportunity to experiment with his style and reinvent himself with every new piece. The spirit of innovation notwithstanding, he strongly recognizes the value of being true to one’s roots.

 

FINAL WORDS OF WISDOM…

With the support of family and friends, Julian has managed to stay humble amidst his rising popularity; eloquent on his views of living a balanced life, he says that an artist should always have a grounding point that keeps him in check. “I guess the good thing about what I do is I’ve got a couple of online businesses and as my studio is at home I can make time for my music and my family.”  His reality check thus established, he is able to move from strength to strength; and armed with faith and perseverance, he honours the name of Sri Lanka with each bold step. A bright star in the horizon, we wish Julian Simonsz a future bejeweled with prosperity and happiness.

 

Links to his music:

w: www.juliansimonsz.com

f:  http://www.facebook.com/JulianSimonszJulez

t:  http://twitter.com/Julian_Simonsz

i:  http://instagram.com/julian_simonsz/

y: http://www.youtube.com/user/julezsimonsz

 

 

Dillai’s Madness

I remember those brush strokes well; they adorned her spacious house that carried a hint of madness wrapped in a shawl of eccentricities that espoused her character so well.

Carrying a bouquet of yellow flowers (yellow symbolizing friendship) I was tempted to touch those paintings that were dark and yet depressingly sensual in their honest creation. There were no vibrant greens, lively blues and passionate yellows that painted her feelings; they were the earthy browns, decrepit blacks and sad crimsons instead.

This was Dillai stripped bare for the world to see. As I hugged her with a sense of familiarity I took in the hair, the talent and the face I knew so well, but which I left close to a decade ago at MindsFCB. I recall too many good memories; now we both laugh at her no-nonsense demands for better copy with final art work about to be shipped off in mere seconds to publishing oblivion.

I was told the hallmark of a real friendship was that you carry on from where you left off, and that is what we did. Ten years is a long time, and during that time she bore two beautiful children, and had started her own venture (The Next Big Think) with someone (that someone goes by the name of Megan Shatrughan) which mirrors her inimitable eccentricities.

That night just over a month ago marked an adventure in the shape of an art exhibition that drew gasps of appreciation for a labor of love that was unlike any other. Dillai spent three arduous years in the wee hours of the morning courting her madness; flirting with themes that we abhor; painfully painting, and enthusiastically telling a story that we all needed to hear. It was a story about those that personify her version of paradise in the fringes of Sri Lankan society.

There were 32 odd paintings that day; 22 have been sold. Her exhibition that showcased her own paradise resplendent with people and puddles was graced by Colombo’s advertising glitterati, diplomats, intellectuals along with family and friends.

Who’d have thought eccentricity could be this brilliant. Who’d have thought we would all see a bit of Dillai’s madness and stringent work ethic gracing the walls of Lionel Wendt, and for a fortunate few — their own homes.

Danu: A Talented and Beautiful Human Being

By: Michelle Alles

We met up with someone we all know and love – it’s none other than Danu Innasithamby! A former student of St. Peter’s College, Danu is no stranger to the public eye and it is his infectious personality that has helped him build a name for himself on radio, TV and print media.

If you ever happen to meet Danu for the first time, he would come off to you as shy and reclusive, but when he warms up to you with time, you will see that he is a lovely person and a complete source of entertainment to speak to. We had a very interesting conversation with about quite a lot of things and especially a cause that’s very close to his heart…

 

An Interesting Start to an Illustrious Career

“So when I was waiting for my O/L results (sort of a long time ago!) I was doing a play called ‘Animal Farm’ by Feroze Kamardeen and trying to think what else to do with my life,” he reminisces. “I knew I wasn’t going to do my A/L’s so I decided to try another way. I was a little lost back then; I wanted to do something in the creative industry but wasn’t sure what exactly it was. I was studying graphic designing as well, so I made some phone calls to the radio and TV stations to figure out what I could do there. I spoke to someone at Sun FM and said “I want to go on air because I want to be like you!” he laughs. “They asked me to come for an interview and I didn’t even have a CV or much to put on it to start with except my school records, choir, drama, etc. anyway they gave me the job in 10 minutes so that turned out well! After some time, I moved to E! FM and worked there for 4 years and then joined MTV not for TV, but to actually to work in Marketing and Programming. I was also in charge of conceptualizing TV shows. And then on the first day of work, someone told me that I need to get on TV and that’s how it all began! I started off with Planet Pulse and that became very popular and the number one show for the channel. I left MTV in 2012 and the following year joined LITE FM as the Head of Programming which is under TNL RN and I have been there ever since. In addition to my shows on air, I also host Hi! TV’s ‘Buzz with Danu’ (which received a fully digital makeover last year while still retaining its print presence) and also WTF by Danu, which doesn’t mean anything bad! It stands for What, Where, Who and When To Find and it’s a guide to making interesting discoveries all over Sri Lanka and experiencing locations, people and so on. I wanted to give it a very shocking name and WTF seemed appropriate.” he said with that big infectious smile of his.

 

Danu Innasithamby Foundation: Giving Back

Danu has officially launched his charity known as Danu Innasithamby Foundation. “I wanted my family name on it because we’re pretty well known in Jaffna and I want to develop more areas there. The mission of the foundation is to use entertainment and showbiz for a good cause. We currently run 2 full-time projects and one of them which I initiated is called ‘Love Changes Everything’ which is focused on helping children with cancer. We work with the paediatric section of the Cancer Hospital and we have people working with us on a volunteer basis. The reason for the name is that it was my mother’s favourite song,” he said. “The other project is called ‘Sri Lanka Smiles’. There’s so much talent in this country but they don’t have the mileage or resources to do something more with it. So we match the reason or cause with the resource that can assist them. The first case we supported was a girl from the Science Faculty of UOC who didn’t have a computer but had passed her first year which is quite admirable and spoke to me of an indomitable spirit. We spoke to Dell Sri Lanka and they were willing to donate a laptop so that ended happily. That’s how ‘Sri Lanka Smiles’ works; causes that need attention are posted on our Facebook page and we search for donors. There is always a story to find a donor for and it feels good to know that we are making a difference for people.” he said.

 

A Dynamic and Down To Earth Personality

Being a person who relates very well to people is what makes Danu the success he is. He attributes this to his upbringing and background. “I was 7 and my sister 13 when we came to Colombo with basically nothing in our hands. My father had passed away so it was just the three of us – my mom, my sister and I. We didn’t have anything or anyone and we literally lived off each other. So I have faced different challenges in life and that is why I think I can understand people better,” he said. “Looking back, I see that I came into this industry at the right time, while it was growing and now the entertainment in Sri Lanka is at a good standard in terms of TV and radio. It’s very competitive and when compared with some channels and stations in the region, I think it is world class because we speak well and our music is good. Even in terms of TV, we have some quality shows; even our commercials are quite spectacular and can give anyone a run for their money!”

 

We asked Danu about his likes and dislikes and he told us that he dislikes Math! (Well most of us feel that way!) “I’ve never really understood why the world needed Math! I also dislike making plans – it totally stresses me out. Even when I go abroad, I just have the travel agent do everything for me because I don’t like having to plan anything! I love fashion and dressing up – I just love clothes and I also love drama and theatre.” he enthuses.

 

The Highs and Lows of Media

When asked about the rewarding and demanding aspects of the media field, he said, “There are many people in the field right now but not everybody makes an impact. The reason being that people take these jobs for granted; actually it’s very important to correctly position yourself in the field right from the start of your career. What we need to keep in mind is that we of the media never have an off day. Like everyone else, I also have days when I feel like jumping into a hole, but I can’t afford to let it show because if I snap at someone today and they hear me on air tomorrow, they’ll wonder if this is the same person they met yesterday! You have to be real and remember that every time you come to a show, you are here to entertain someone who might be having much more problems than you! So if you are going to add to their issues, then you might as well not be in this field,” he said. “The rewards of being in this field are that you get to meet so many different people from various walks of life who are differently talented and you get to observe so much of interesting and exciting things – it’s fun and there’s never a dull day! It’s also a very good feeling when listeners or viewers tell us that we made their day or took their mind off their problems just by making them laugh or feel good about themselves and there’s no better reward for that!” he noted.

 

Wisdom Words

When asked what advice he would give a person new to media, Danu stated, “Remember to be real and be you. There’s no point having an accent on air and having it slip when you’re done with your show. First find your unique feature – happy, witty, funny, anything! Make a trademark for yourself with this characteristic – and stick with it until you die!” he laughs. “I’m the only person in this entire trade to have promoted people who can be considered my competitors on my columns and I have no problem with that! See, if you like me, you’ll listen to or watch me no matter what! If you don’t, it’s pointless me saying bad about another person because you’ll follow their show regardless. You might tune in to my show and another show if you like both of us so I think there’s space for everyone in this field and I also think a healthy environment and a peaceful setting is nicer because you’re known for a very short time and you would want to be remembered as a good person.” he remarked.

 

Future Plans

“One of the reasons that I started my foundation is because I want to use the platform I possess and the people I have met for a good reason; many people want to help but they don’t know where to donate to. Donations are not always about finances; I have met wonderful people and I can enlist their help in supporting people who don’t have that exposure. I have been helped when I needed it the most and to me, these people are God on Earth, so I want everyone to have a chance to be able fulfil their desires and achieve their goals; it’s sad to hear someone say that they were never given an opportunity. By God’s Grace, I was put in the right place at the right time, for me to be able to do the right thing so I want to focus more on this cause.” he concluded.