I was fortunate to have a conversation with Mevan Karunaratne. A handsome young guy who’s also known as EmKay to many of his friends. Mevan is a very talented young man, who’s got an awesome voice, great talent and dreams of a promising future. We began our discussion by talking about his musical inspirations, his dreams about having his own little ‘Jazz Show’ and most of all his passion for music.
We also spoke about many other topics, especially about his life experiences in and outside Sri Lanka, and his other interests, I realized that Mevan, not only has the passion for music but also has a vast respect for the natural world, both its forces and its delicate balances. He has passion for the outdoors and loves to spend time in the woods, lakes and river banks.
How old were you Mevan when you started singing, and how did it all happen?
I was a bit of a late bloomer, I started doing anything only when I was 16 years of age and barely starting the first semester of A’ Level’s at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo.
This was the time I figured out that I could sing and keep myself in at the correct pitch and the correct note too. Naturally, I joined the school choir which was trained by Mr. Francis De Almeda.
Did you get involved in any competitions or concerts after you left school?
Straight after school a few of my school buddies and I heard about a rocking singing contest called ‘Showboat Karaoke Championship’ and we participated.
The first year was an utter failure but we never gave up.
We went for it the second year as well and battled through to the Grand Finale which was held at the then Trans Asia Hotel, Colombo.
During the competition I covered great artistes like Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck and gained a few mature fans who loved that era.
Tell us about your background and your education overseas?
With my higher studies and the different people, I met throughout my life, my life shifted to many directions where at one point it led me to a bit of Gospel music and I used to do a few covers of Casting Crowns and Hilsongs at KMC Youth.
This same year I moved to Australia, and did my BSc in Business Information Systems at the University of Queensland, and then specialized in Fiber tech and PSTN in Telecommunications at RMIT University, officially the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology located in Melbourne Victoria.
Thereafter, I got my training in telecommunications while working at Telstra Corporation Ltd. a known as Telstra which is Australia’s largest telecommunications company. However, for relaxation I also found another church to contribute a bit of gospel music in Melbourne called Cross Culture Church, Melbourne Central. But with my higher studies, and hectic work schedule after about a year I shifted away from singing to strictly listening.
During this time, I figured out that my life was full of up’s and downs. Yet, I managed everything the hardest possible way and I loved every bit of it.
When did you return to Sri Lanka?
I came back to Sri Lanka mid-2014 and started life back in this beautiful Island.
Have you had any disappointing experiences that you like to share with us?
Oh Yes, soon after my return to Sri Lanka, as a proud ex Josephian chorister, I naturally wanted to join the old Joe’s choir.
Guess what? I was rejected. I was a bit disappointed then. But soon realized that “What feels like rejection, is God’s protection, when you are heading in the wrong direction.”
It’s only because of this rejection and disappointment, that I’m enjoying singing and getting trained under one of the very best trainers today. Remember the words of Einstein?
“I am thankful to all those who said No, Because of them I did it myself.”
How did you get back to singing after your return to the Island?
This was the time I happened to fall in love and was cheated and awfully hurt. With the emotional struggle of life all I had was nothing but pressure. I ended up being depressed. So, my dad had to take me to a doctor and I was under treatment.
During this time, there was a coffee shop I used to go to for my morning coffee treat, and there met this lovely lady called Aruni Wijayaratna who was managing it.
Magically, she figured out where I stood and took the initiative to introduce me to the Choir of ‘Christ the Living Savior’.
Now, this was the climax of my journey where, I met Ishan De Lanerolle who welcomed me with open arms and became my mentor.
From that day on Ishan has pushed me to do something I really love. Singing! I’m truly honored to be trained under Ishan De Lanerolle who is not only my voice trainer but also my life coach through thick and thin.
You said Ishan De Lanerolle is your mentor, tell us something about him.
Ishan De Lanerolle is a name well-known in the music industry and needs no introduction as a vocalist or a voice trainer. So, let me tell you about what a wonderful human being he is. Ishan is one of the most genuine and nicest humans I’ve ever met. With his remarkable talent and well-earned social recognition, he is a very calm, honest, humble and a down to earth person. I know for a fact that he has had his fair share in the past to become what he is today. I guess, these successful struggles that he has faced has helped him reach heights in the industry and has taught him the great understanding of life. That’s why I said he is not only my voice trainer but also my mentor.
You are a great lover of Jazz. Tell us what pushed you into making you so passionate about this genre of music?
Oh, this started when I was only about 6 –years- old. My dad had a wonderful collection of Jazz on cassettes. This was before the CD’s came into use you know, and I fell in love with them. Since then my love for Jazz never died. For me, jazz has a capturing story, soothing rhythm and lot of heart that makes my whole musical journey very personal.
Dad also played his very soothing collections by artistes like Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck and Rim Reeves. I still remember the days I used to come home after school, and play one of those cassettes after lunch and then fall asleep listening. I Had no idea then about what those songs meant or what connection I would have with them years later, all I knew was that I just loved the music! I was only six or seven years old then.
What plans do you have for the future, in your journey of music?
Well, the nearest future project would be ‘The Voice by Ishan De Lanerolle’. Ishan will be hosting a two days concert with his students in a few months’ time and I’m honored to be a part of it. Trust me you should come. This is our second year. Last year it was a great success.
Ishan, on the other hand wants me to do my own little ‘Jazz show’ in May and I was very stoked too but it seems very hard to find a sponsor for a concert of this sort. I think I’m very unfortunate, but still the dream is there. Whatever happens it will never stop me singing even to myself in the shower. ‘Coz singing is something that relaxes my mind and it’s something that I really love.
Who would you consider the most important people in your life?
That’s easy. No one is more important than my parents and my two sisters. Other than them there are so many who are near and dear to me so, I can’t say names because if I forget even one it might hurt them. But as I told you earlier, Ishan is my closest. Be it sunshine or storm he is always there for me. He is a big part of my journey.
If you were to give some advice to our young generation about singing what would you say?
If I could give any advice to anyone who’s singing or would like to sing. I would say NEVER GIVE UP! ‘coz singing certainly helped me through life in different ways. You never know when you need that soothing experience for yourself or even to help another. Trust me it’s a beautiful thing!