Medhavi J released her debut single titled Sirakariya (සිරකාරිය) on 9 February, the first of many originals to come. The artist, who up until this point was best known for her cover music, shared with us the significance of the new track, with her decision to pursue a career in music and making the very bold transition from fulltime corporate employee doing music on the side to music being her primary focus.
Sirakariya as a single is a beautiful, somewhat melancholy track with an understated melody giving prominence to the artist’s vocal take, which is airy and pleasing. Medhavi’s signature breathy vocals really carry the song, and do a great job at purveying Dilanjan Seneviratne’s lyrics.
The original is a great first track, allowing Medhavi to shine, with her strengths at the forefront. Speaking to the artist about the track and how it came to be, Medhavi shared with us that the melody and lyrics were done in a short span of two days – she said that as is their process, several projects are worked on at once and Sirakariya was an example where the story demanded to be told.
Telling the story of someone who feels as though they are at a crossroads, trapped in a place where they do not belong or perhaps have grown out of, Medhavi shared with us the real-life parallel where she too was experiencing a moment of revelation, coming to terms with preconceived notions of responsibility and what ought to be done as opposed to what she wanted to do. Being the eldest in her family, she said she felt the need to secure herself with a professional career; to think practically about her future.
An old girl of Musaeus College, Colombo, Medhavi is a management graduate from the National School of Business Management (NSBM), obtained her professional marketing qualifications at the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), and has a Masters of Business Administration (MBA). She shared that despite her origins with her background being in marketing, having worked with conglomerates like Unilever, she believed she was quite late in stepping into the music industry and felt that it was a challenge she must overcome.
Medhavi shared that “it took a lot of guts” to make the decision to pursue her passion, taking that leap of faith and trusting in herself to succeed. Adding that even when she was working as a fulltime corporate employee, from management trainee to brand manager to category header, she said she had always stayed in touch with her passion for music, performing gigs when time permits. Considering the effects of the pandemic, she shared that she was certainly hesitant in making the transition, especially considering that the arts are at a disadvantage with leisure and entertainment activities taking a backseat due to the safety precautions in place. However, she is hopeful to make her mark regardless of the hardships.
Medhavi’s impressive repertoire is available on the Pettah Effect YouTube page, and her affinity for soul and pop-infused sounds is evident throughout her work. She shared with us that audiences can expect more work from her in the near future, particularly a baila item potentially within two months’ time. In the meantime, audiences can enjoy Medhavi’s soulful vocals on Sirakariya.
Sirakariya (සිරකාරිය)
Audio
Composition – Medhavi J
Lyrics – Dilanjan Seneviratne
Recording Engineer – Sheran Dilantha at Pettah Effect Studios
Music, mixing, and mastering – LAK at Pettah Effect Studios
Record label – Pettah Effect
Video
Producer – Theewra (www.theewra.com)
Director – Dilanjan Seneviratne
Assistant Director – Charith Rodrigo
Hair and makeup – Anusha Chandanathilake at The Hair Studio
Special thanks – Sheran Dilantha and Gamith Illandara