On April 25th, the Lionel Wendt Theatre will host ‘Sanjeev in Concert with Tharuka & Cheran’—an evening of music, memories, and family. Joined by Manique Abeyratne and the Revelations Mixed Voice Choir, the show blends Broadway, Gospel, Rock, and timeless classics, with heartfelt moments and a few surprises in store.

For Sanjeev, a seasoned performer and choir director, this concert is both personal and artistic. His sons, Tharuka and Cheran, grew up immersed in music and performance, and now share the stage with him in a celebration of that journey.

We sat down with the trio ahead of the show to talk about performing as a family, putting the concert together, and what the audience can look forward to.

01.   Sanjeev, this concert is a family affair—what inspired you to share the stage with Tharuka and Cheran?
Well, I have been wanting to do this show for a long time, but kept putting it off. It's really special to share the stage with your children. Now just felt like the time was right. Our voices blend together nicely and create an interesting mix of tones and textures in the end. 

02.  How did you curate the set-list, given the diverse mix of Broadway, Gospel, Rock, and Classics? 
We started by adding on songs we loved to sing, and were pleasantly surprised when the common theme of ‘family, love and fun’ emerged.  The repertoire consists of some unique arrangements, most of which will be heard for the first time. We are especially looking forward to the well-known musical theatre numbers and the pop arrangements for which the Revelations Mixed Voice Choir will be joining in. 

03. Sanjeev, what makes this concert different from your previous performances? 
Performing almost the entire show as a family is definitely different. And the six-piece band of fantastic musicians also makes this show stand out. Many firsts for me!

04.  Tharuka & Cheran, how has growing up in a musical household shaped your approach to performing?
Cheran: Growing up in a musical household played a major role in our love for performing and singing in general, because it was always a natural thing to do at home. Hearing stories about our dad’s different performances and having Revelations rehearsals at home inspired my love for performing from a young age. 
Tharuka:  There are times when all three of us are singing three different songs with different instruments simultaneously, and the house is a cacophony of music. All in all, I think both of us are very grateful to have been in and around music for so long, mostly because of our father. 

05. What has rehearsing together been like? Have there been any memorable or challenging moments?
Cheran: For one, rehearsing has been convenient, since we all live together. One challenge with that, though, is attempting to keep our dogs quiet so we can hear ourselves singing, which does not always go well.
Tharuka: Of course, we are faced with the natural challenges of working together with family, which is not always the easiest, as anyone who has done so would know, but we have found a good routine working towards what looks to be a night the three of us will never forget. 

06. How long has this concert been in the making, and what has the rehearsal process been like thus far?
We started practicing in January this year. The three of us put the vocals together and then worked with the musicians at Musicmatters, who are also on board as our Musical Partner. Putting the repertoire together and then arranging the songs has been really exciting. It’s always fulfilling seeing the arrangement come together in the end. 

07.  If you could describe the atmosphere of the show in three words, what would they be? 
Family, Fun, Love

08. How do you hope the audience feels when they leave the Lionel Wendt Theatre that night?  
We hope the audience leaves feeling happy, energized, hopeful and blessed.

09. Sanjeev - What advice would you give to young Sri Lankans just beginning their musical journey?
Just follow your dreams. If you have music in you, you just need to let it out. Don’t be scared to experiment and do things differently. If you love what you do, people will love to hear it.   

10. Any final message for your audience ahead of the big night?
 Tickets are selling out fast. So WhatsApp Tharuka on +94 77 854 3382 or Sanjeev on +94777346806 for online reservations. Do come for the show – it has love, fun, inspiration, family and some wonderful music. What more can you ask for! 

By Sharuni Weerasinghe