The Full DNA : The De Lanerolle Brothers 

Anusha David spotlights the hottest styles and statements in and around Sri Lanka – from political leaders to celebrity CEOs, masters of the game to fashion icons and stars of the silver screen and stage. Here are society’s leaders talking about the determination, vision, smarts, competence and professionalism. Today, she speaks to the De Lanerolle brothers. 

The De Lanerolle brothers need no introduction. They are not just singers but entertainers, who have a large following both in Sri Lanka as well as overseas. Both Ishan and Rohan complement each other in terms of their singing as well as their stage personalities, a fact which has led to packed houses whenever they stage a performance. 

A somewhat unknown factor about the two brothers is that they work full time in their tea packing business along with their father, producing over two million tea bags of tea, while they also have their own brand. 

Rohan and Ishan hope to build the next generation of singers and performers as their legacy. 

What is it like to work together? 

Ishan : Rohan always has negative things to say with whatever I may suggest but that's for the betterment of the brand De Lanerolle I feel. On a production point of view, Rohan mainly looks after repertoire and concert flow while I look into the publicity and marketing aspects and this has worked very well for us up to now. 

Does music run in your family? 

Ishan : It definitely does as our mother was a recipient of a Royal College of Music (LRSM) Performers Certificate twice, twice while she was under age at that, and her brother is a good singer too. Our father’s family has always been involved in music, either singing or playing predominantly in church music that involved being in the choir and a few public performances and of course theatre as well! 

What is your favourite genre of music? 

Rohan : That’s a very difficult question to take head on as we sing quite a varied genre from Western Classical, excerpts from Opera sung in its original language, Church, Gospel and Sacred Music and Broadway to Popular Music, so while each of these are diverse and each poses a different challenge to sing, we challenge ourselves to make each of those genres listenable. 

How do your families handle your hectic schedules and all that comes with being in the public eye? 

Ishan : This is no easy task as you may well imagine, but both wives and our children have been understanding; it’s not that everything is as simple as anyone would think, plus when we are in the country we also are involved in dropping and picking up our children; at least in Rohan's case! 

You have managed to make your passion - music into a successful business; what is the secret? 

Rohan : I wouldn't want to say it's a business, as the moment you get that into your head, the passion, love and the art of singing changes and we've seen it happen to many and in fact we see it happening even now. You are right in saying it's our passion and we'd like to leave it at that without wanting to share the secrets. 

What other areas of business are you two involved in? 

Rohan : Most people think that we are full time singers but that ain't true. Ishan and I together with our father own and operate Abacus Tea Private Limited - an independent tea packaging company that has no affiliations with others nor with any other family or extended family members; with our main packing module being contract packing (packing other's private labels), together with marketing our own brand of tea as well. The company turns out approximately 2 million tea bags a day so its a 24-hour operation. 

Has brotherly rivalry ever got in the way? 

Rohan : One word - NEVER. 

Would you want your children to follow in your footsteps? 

Rohan : Rather not as they should have their own identity, but if they ever want to, we would be more than happy to support it. 

What originally sparked your interest in music? 

Ishan : Well, when we were growing up we were surrounded by music. Those were the days families would get together around the piano and have a sing song, but I think it was listening to the STC Mount Lavinia choir that sparked the interest. 

Who has influenced you the most where your musical careers are concerned? 

Rohan : The one influence on me has been the late Rohan Joseph De Saram who to me has been the best conductor I have worked with to-date. That's due to his no nonsense attitude and punctuality and the belief that nothing is impossible, together with proving the critiques wrong. He always used to mention that the more people find fault with you the better it is as it means you are doing well and they themselves feel insecure. 

When was your very first public performance and where was it and what did you sing (not as the Revelations or de Lanerolle brothers but when growing up) ? 

Rohan : I think it was at a show where my teacher the late Kalasoori Lylie Godridge wanted me to sing as a soloist and of course the joint production S. Thomas' College did with Bishops College where I played the second lead role in the early 90's. 

Ishan : Mine was when Rohan invited me to be the soloist and guest artist at one of his shows at the Lionel Wendt. 

What would you say has been your biggest contribution to the local music scene? 

Rohan : The fact that we are not singers but entertainers and are the sole performers who stage at least two sit down, plated dinner theatre shows per year and the fact that the public can witness a "professional production". This is not what we say but this comes from the reviewers and the general public with the invaluable support of the private sector. 

Has your fame and popularity changed you in any way? 

Rohan : I doubt so. In fact on the contrary, we are told that we are too accommodating! Ishan finds it very difficult to say NO but I think it's a well-known fact that I generally come out to people as an arrogant person and I guess that it’s because I call a spade a spade - to anyone including my family, so nothing has changed and we don't intend on changing either. The cardinal rule at least of ours, is to have your feet firmly on the ground and not above! 

What will you do when your voices no longer lend themselves to public performances? 

Rohan : I would think this is a pertinent question as one needs to understand that there will come a time when you need to bow out. It happens in sport, work and even where singers and musicians are concerned and one needs to move out before you become a joke to the public. Hopefully we can get down to developing the next generation of singers. 

Interviewed by Anusha David