Devashrie has been a name that I personally have grown up with from hearing her collaborate with BnS, Iraj and many other notable names from the local scene. Her rise to fame began at a very young age and her most recent endeavour that she totally nailed was her performance as Christine Daae’ in The Workshop Players Production of The Phantom of The Opera. What captivates anyone most about “Dev” as she is fondly known is the fact that although she is one of the biggest stars in this country, she has not forgotten her roots and is one of the most humble and kindhearted people you are ever to find! Check out her story on this week’s Local Scene.

Tell me about your entry into the music scene?

Family, church and school started me off. They played a huge part in my interest in music. Couple of key turning points other than these I feel opened the way for me. One of the earlier points was being chosen to sing with a high school music troupe at Disneyland Paris, whilst in the UK. I was the youngest at twelve and the only South Asian. It was my first solo performance before a major audience. It was a key turning point. Later winning two popular singing competitions in Sri Lanka at the age of seventeen opened many doors to the music scene here. It has been a happy journey since.

When did you realize that music was your calling?

Yeah, that time when I got up in front of that outdoor audience back in Disneyland. I had never ever thought that it was even possible to cut a long story short, and it was one music teacher who heard me jamming with a friend who took the initiative to ask me to come for a voice class. She believed I had something to offer and made me realize that I should consider the gift of voice more seriously. Feeling that song in my veins and getting that amazing applause from people I had never ever met, shook me for good.

You created Sri Lanka's first ever 3D music video, tell me about how that came about?

My debut Sinhala single - I was definitely looking out to doing something out of the ordinary when Ravindu from Helium (who I had already consulted about doing the video) told me that there is a chance of getting a 3D camera. It was a big risk, but why not? Music is all about creative expression.

In those lines you have always been someone who does things out of the box. For example "Serenade" in lieu of Valentines' Day was a unique concept, and from where do you draw all this inspirations?

Music never fails to inspire, and of course people. Music helps to express emotions and ideas in such a powerful way and it's one of those mediums that always bring people together. And whatever I do, I do it with a sincere purpose, and with the grace of God, that's what makes the bigger picture.

You are one of the few artistes who has struck a chord with both the Sinhala and English music following. How do you maintain that balance?

Actually this 'balance' means a lot to me. It's something I remember very specifically and resolved to strive for when I turned fourteen. I wanted to perform in both languages and keep learning and growing in both areas. So I committed to keep my voice as flexible as possible and tried to be brave with improvising and experimenting with all sorts of styles of singing. Honestly, its one of those simple things that bring a lot of happiness to me.

You have collaborated with so many artistes and help make their albums so much better. Which collaboration would you consider your favourite?

Haha, I hope they feel the same too. Collaborating with Billy Fernando has always been fun because he is a good friend. Also, my very first few songs back in the early 2000's with Ranidu has been one of a kind. The quality of music was absolutely fantastic.

What would you consider your greatest achievement musically?

To be able to look back and say, I have successfully sung and drowned myself in diverse genres of music. From pop, jazz, soul, blues, R&B, fusion, reggae, rock, classical to various styles in Sinhala music. Few of those moments included sharing the stage with Nirosha Virajini, Shihan Mihiranga and Heshan for that beautiful opening song at Sirasa Super Star Season 5 on one end and recently sharing the stage with some Western theater stalwarts and expanding my range to a high E in the Phantom of the Opera. Singing for Miss Teen Hungary was also a very humbling moment in my career.

Your most recent musical endeavour was in musical theatre playing Christine in The Workhop Player's Production of the Phantom of the Opera. How was that experience?

It's an experience I'll cherish for a long time to come. One of those journeys you take ever so once in a while. I learnt a lot. It was six months of hard work and commitment. Balancing my other musical commitments and this was a massive challenge but I am happy I was able to take myself out of my comfort zone completely and challenge myself like never before. It's such a powerful, magical musical, and I was honoured to join the Workshop Players to tell this story here. I have to say thank you to Jerome for believing in me. For all the amazing feedback, I am ever so humbled and grateful, thank you to all who stood by me through it all.

What's next for you?

Work continues with my band Maff and my solo work. But a few priorities are mastering my guitar, a film song and getting my next English single done.

Interviewed by Reihan Stephen