A force of nature, a fiery soul, a kindred spirit, an inspiration – these are all phrases that come to mind when thinking of the late Natalie Soysa. Or so we’ve been told; we did not know them* personally, but their legacy lives on in the tales told by their friends.
Natalie was a writer, a journalist, a photographer, and an activist, and they were equally passionate about each one and saw all their passions out to fruition. Their passing has devastated many and their loss will forever leave a gaping hole in the hearts of anyone who knew her. Brunch reached out to a few of their closest friends and acquaintances to honour their memory.
‘They were a magical person inside and out’ – Bendr.lk Co-Founder Nadine Croos
They were a force to be reckoned with and they were a voice of the voiceless. Their work with LGTBIQ+ community goes back to volumes. They were an equal rights advocate for women’s rights.
Much of their work is captured in the Bendr group that was started by her, me, and Chadini Fernando. They have also done much work contributing to the plight of the women in the North where they spoke about hardships that these women still face decades after the civil war.
You could always find them behind their camera snapping pictures that captured moments, whether it be gigs, documentary work, or anything else that spoke to their heart.
They were a magical person inside and out, who lived a very unconventional life, but touched everyone they met, pulling out potential and inspiring everyone they met to think differently, be a little open-minded, and to always be kind.
‘There will not be another soul sibling and friend like them – Journalist Sarah Hannan
Natalie, fondly known as Natty to most of us in the rock and metal community, was a soul sibling for me. I have known them* since 2009 when I first met them. They have been my confidante ever since.
Natty had a huge heart and they always made time to be there for me on my darkest of days and did the same for many of our brothers and sisters in the rock/metal community. We were each other’s own support system and knowing that they have passed on has left a pit in my stomach.
They made a huge impact in many of our lives, be it knowledge-sharing about the field of advertising, journalism, photojournalism, theatre, event management, or just encouraging and pulling the hidden talents out of many of us. They always took pride and joy in supporting any upcoming young talent and made it a point to give constructive criticism, give praise where it was due, and would become that person who roots for you at each of your milestones. In any of the fields they were involved in, they were always ready to help a newcomer by parting the knowledge they had.
We will miss Natty’s mortal presence, but they leave behind a multi-faceted body of work on how they navigated the dysfunctional healthcare system in Sri Lanka, whilst battling metastatic breast cancer, which I believe will be great reference material for anyone that needs awareness, for journalistic work, or to be used as a case study to fix the broken healthcare system in our country to a better state.
There will not be another soul sibling and friend like them and we will always carry their rebel spirit in our hearts.
‘They were my warrior sister who fought by my side’ – Dr. Devika Brendon
Natalie was one of the first people who had empathy and constructive support and advice to give me when I was viciously attacked in a defamatory post on Facebook in late 2017.
Given the negative experiences in Sri Lanka I had already encountered since coming here in 2015, I could easily have been put off and just left this country forever. Natalie not only advised me to stand my ground and set down roots, but they also felt that my work and my ideas had value and worth, and encouraged me to express them.
They were my warrior sister, who fought by my side. And I am not the only person who feels that way about her. They were brilliant, talented, gifted, and insightful, a journalist, a photographer, and a writer, with the generosity of spirit to encourage others in their creativity, for the upliftment of everyone, without barrier or limit. Rest in power, Natalie, free at last from physical pain.
‘Unbowed, unapologetic, unconventional’ – Global Assignments Director Jeevani Fernando
Can anyone define Natalie?
I don’t think I could. They made sure nobody would. But look close at what they captured,
They are there in every light and every shadow;
In every glance, every angle, and every halo,
You’ll see them tangled, you’ll see them free, you’ll feel them cry, you’ll hear their plea.
When they themselves could not contain them, how could we?
They were who your mother asked to stay away from and yet one to whom most ran to.
They were so fearful and wonderful that it scared you. They dabbled in a cauldron of hums and haunts yet their home was always warm to the vagabonds. They were questioned as much as they were loved, yet remained unbowed, unapologetic, unconventional, and unlike any other.
A body that once held lovers and laughter, a precious son thereafter; a mind that birthed ideas over smoke and lager remains in the images that we now hold tighter.
When cure became the cause and they had fought all their wars, they left their trailblazing smiles beneath our tropical skies wrapped in leaves from our tropical trees warm beneath the soil they once walked on warm in our hearts that they once set fire on alive in the wars that we will carry on.
‘They’ve given so many a home, when their lives were full of chaos’ – Actress and TV presenter Christina Britto Karunaratne
The day we lost you, we all lost such a massive part of ourselves…you’ve managed to make all of us feel so loved when we felt we weren’t. You’ve given so many a home, when their lives were full of chaos. You’ve spoiled me in immeasurable ways.
Thank you my love for always reminding me that I am stronger, smarter, and tougher than I think I am. The last decade and a half wouldn’t have been as crazy without you in my life. You weren’t my friend, you are one of my soulmates and my soul family through every lifetime that has brought me here and will continue to do so in the lifetimes to come. I love you immensely. Rock In Power my love. Wherever your journey has taken you to now, I hope they know that you’re about to not only drive them crazy with all your infuriating antics…but you’re also gonna show them what it is like to love someone through and through, unconditionally. And remember, it’s never, ever goodbye with us, but only I’ll see you soon.
‘Their work is beautiful; it’s gut-wrenching and important’ – Himal Southasian Deputy Editor Raisa Wickrematunge
“I love your art!”
I spin around, startled, from the canvas I’m photographing.
For the briefest of moments, I consider playing along – modestly accepting thanks, perhaps making some comments about texture and mood (I know next to nothing about art).
Instead, I take the easier (and more truthful) route and explain that my sister isn’t here, and I’m documenting for her.
We are sipping freely from the wine that tends to flow at such events. They are light, vivacious, laughing.
We talk about media, social media, and movements. Specifically, feminist movements. They think such a movement doesn’t currently exist in this country due to the distance between the public and those working in nonprofits.
At one point, they mention how past trauma inspired them to set up their own movement – a Facebook page where people can learn about gender based-discrimination and violence, without being policed. I do not participate much in the group, though I’m a member.
Too often, aggressive commentators seem intent on denying that sexism and misogyny even exist. I watch the group admins, including my interlocutor, intervene to try to bring about more productive conversations. We don’t always agree, but I admire their tenacity and the sense of hopefulness that inspired them to set up the group in the first place.
About a month ago, they sent me the link to their latest project and asked me to watch and let them know what I thought. I promised I would, but couldn’t bring myself to.
Surrounded by daily reports of death and suffering, I couldn’t face one more close-up.
I watched it this morning. It’s beautiful, it’s gut-wrenching, and important and I had the chance (and courage) to watch it earlier and tell them that. Rest in Peace.
‘They were a silent hero who fought till their last breath’ – Singer-songwriter Natasha Rathnayake
I’ve known Natalie Soysa from the music and entertainment industry for a while but I really got to connect with them in 2009 when we acted in a fabulous theatre production called Hamlet at Elsie’s Bar, a play by Feroze Kamardeen. It was an amazing production and Natalie and I worked closely as our characters were closely linked.
Words probably could never express how creatively talented they were as an individual who delved in various creative areas.
They were a fighter!
In my humble opinion, they were a silent hero who fought till their last breath. They are in no pain anymore. May they eternally Rest in Love and Peace knowing that they are missed.
‘They took their pain, and turned it into art’ – Bendr.lk Co-Founder Chadini Fernando
A world without your ear-to-ear huge grin, larger than life red pottu, and personality seems so surreal but you will forever live on in my heart, mind, and in the words of encouragement that you’ve not only given me but to everyone around you. The outpour of love is truly a testament to the magic and inspiration you’ve shared.
Thank you for the endless love and for all that you’ve done and will continue to do. Whenever I doubt myself, I will think of you rolling your eyes at me and giving me an earful.
Not only did you give it your all to fight this damn thing, but through all that you launched a magazine, finished a book, filmed a documentary, and so much more. You took your pain and turned it into art, to tell a story that you were determined to tell, the way only you could.
Till we meet again, my beautiful beautiful girl. I hope you’re causing chaos somewhere, giving them hell, and drinking way too many Red Bulls. Waiting to watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind with you, my Nutella. Thank you for sharing your crazy, amazing, weird, and truly one-of-a-kind world with me.
*Natalie was proud of their queer status and wished to be addressed by the pronouns “they/them”.
Natalie’s last project told the tale of their struggle and tackled the good, the bad, and the ugly in their final battle with cancer.
