Hi I’m Rukshan. First of all I should thank this reality program for choosing me to compete. I’ve seen so many reality programs yet this one is special as it’s an online reality program.

<div>"You've got to love life to have life, and you’ve got to have life to love life"</div><div>-Thornton Wilder, Our town.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm Sadeepa Diddeniya and my songs for the MusicStar Grand Finale is "Love the way you lie part 2"  Originally by Rihanna and  Eminem. I planned to sing this with Kavindu Sumanasena who recorded my cover song in his studio (Furnance recording studios) who is a great rapper and aka: "The Srilankan Rap God" but at some point I thought of taking out the rap and making a mashup by combining "love me like you do" by Ellie Goulding (with slight changes in the melody). Because the two songs are my personal favourites and I liked the meaning and concepts. And thought it would be good to combine the songs which have a similar concept with somewhat different meanings. The music was accompanied by an acoustic guitar and a touch of strings with sounds effects. Sithara Peiris is a professional guitarist who has been playing in events and has been performing(Jamming sessions) at Berklee College studios USA. So last but not least I would like to thank my parents and the video production team and my Best friend Theshan Dinuka Fernando who managed my production with great effort!</div><div><br></div><div>My name in full is Sadeepa Isuruni Diddeniya. I am 22. I am an undergraduate in Psychology at ICBT University, Srilanka.</div><div>Currently completing the graded exams in vocals and classical violin. I’m in a band called "The Volume" and I was in the kids orchestra at Rupavahini Cooperation (TV channel). I’m also a Sri Lankan contemporary ballet dancer in nTANDA dance school, Sri Lanka. I’ve performed in Sri Lankan Sinhala opera and drama productions, and became a YouTuber last year. One of my ambitions is to become a child psychologist and help children with special needs and to take out their hidden talents and also to become a musician.</div><div><br></div><div>As a kid my ambition was to become "a professional singer" which my father discouraged me. I’m from a family who never expected me to become an artist and I've been fighting throughout my life until this very minute of MusicStar competition. Because of the barriers in my life, art has become a beautiful pain... But I thank my ever loving mother who is always the first to believe in my talents and understand me and to my loving best friend Theshan.</div>

this is a my favorite one.My cousin plays the guitar#special thanks for professor sangith nipun H.M.Sanath Nandasiri sir to sing a song like this

<div>The movie "The Greatest Showman" has been on top of the movie and music charts. And the song “Never Enough”, is sung by an American artist named Lauren Allred. With the Star Judge Umara’s advice I have chosen this challenging song to perform for the final round as it has a range which I found wider than before.</div><div><br></div><div>This movie has inspired me in choosing this song. It is about talented people who have had no opportunity to perform and they finally get a chance to go up and show all of themselves. Just like MusicStar.</div><div><br></div><div>Music is something that will never be enough in my life. I dream to go very much further in music, not just locally but beyond as well. And I hope because of Music Star I will achieve this. It has brought up people like me out of their closets and introduced them to the world. So a Big thank you for the MusicStar team.</div><div><br></div><div>Also, I would like to thank all the people who supported me from the start, up until here. If not for them and their votes I won’t be here today at the finals. and also Very special thanks to Star Judge Umara Sinhawansa for her verdicts and the encouragement. </div><div><br></div><div>My next big thanks goes to these special people in my life who encouraged me continuously: My family and Jeremy Nigel.</div><div><br></div><div>Last but not least, Isuru! Who produced this video for me.</div><div><br></div><div>I hope you all will enjoy my song. Take care until next time! </div>

<div>Looking back at the way my music career began, founded on unforgettable friendships and all sorts of life changing experiences, I’m proud of who I have become and humbled by the support that people have given me throughout this journey.</div><div><br></div><div>It is an utmost honor and pleasure to entertain people and bring a smile to their faces, even if is for a moment, and especially when I’m pouring my all into a performance. Over the course of this incredible journey, there have been some extraordinary individuals who have lifted me up and given me the strength that I needed, and I would like to thank them from the very bottom of my heart.</div><div><br></div><div>Being an artist means having to think outside the box and that goes hand in hand with trial and error. There have been many occasions where I had failed but, nonetheless, I persevered and experimented with different things and that allowed me to move forward and try new things.</div><div><br></div><div>The video that I have submitted for the finals is a tribute to the late, great, King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. It is a homage and a reminder that history decides what it makes of us.  I would like to personally thank my dearest friends, Emil Obris, Charith Kodagodaand  Akila Soori for making all this a possibility.</div><div><br></div><div>My research has brought me to the conclusion that local musicians have been experimenting a lot lately, but the basic age-old formula for good music is that it has to be relatable to the listener and has to resonate with them. My ambition is to create and cultivate a community of listeners and artists who will help the future generation to not only listen to this kind of experimental music, but to also embrace it and adopt it as their own.</div><div><br></div><div>I’m a dreamer and none of these dreams would have come true if it wasn’t for my family, my friends and my fans. I would like to thank each and every one of you for helping and encouraging me throughout this amazing venture. I made it to where I am because of you. I am humbled that “MusicStar” allowed me this amazing opportunity to showcase my music on their amazing platform and allowed me to excel as a person. </div><div><br></div><div>Thank you.</div>

<p>Hi everyone. I'm Uthpala Kaushalya from Gampaha. I am a Civil Engineering undergraduate of University of Peradeniya. Though my career is directed to engineering, I practice music as my hobby. I have done a lot of violin covers and a couple of original songs and they are on youtube. I'm a violinist, keyboardist and a guitarist.</p><p> I’m very thankful to all of you for casting your valuable votes for me to reach the Grand Finale. Amidst my busy schedule, I managed to do my Grand Finale performance. It's my violin cover of the song "When I was your man" originally sung by Bruno Mars. Hope you'll enjoy this and I expect that you will support me to win this contest. Special thanks goes to Nanditha Sirisena for Videography and editing. Thank you!<br></p>

<div>Hello MusicStar. I’m Stephen Jerushan Amos. Thank you for the opportunity that you have given to me to participate in MusicStar online Competition. It's been an amazing Journey so far with you guys.</div><div><br></div><div>Especially I want to thank all my friends and people those who took their time to VOTE for me and to give your support towards my talent. Thank you my friends to help me to do the video recordings. Special thanks to my family who have been a great support for me always. And especially thanks to Umara who has been an amazing Judge so far I have ever seen, shared a lot of mistakes and ideas to my performance which I did in 1st round and Semi Finals. That means a lot to me personally.</div><div><br></div><div>And For the finals I have combined 3 amazing production which inspired me throughout my music career.</div><div><br></div>PIRATES OF CARRIBIAN Theme, EUROPE THE FINAL COUNTDOWN and FUR ELISE. I hope everyone will enjoy my performance. Keep supporting me. May God bless you all abundantly!!

<div>We are three best friends that share a mutual passion for music since 2010. Being schooled at Musaeus College, we had the opportunity and the platform to play at every school event ever since and we literally watched each other grow with music. We follow various music genres starting from classical and cultural music to heavy metal. We go by the name Singing Potatoes, because that simply describes us. We believe we could make a difference in the music industry and to help diversify the music industry in Sri Lanka. Before introducing you to our final performance, we would like to thank each and every one of you that helped us make it to the Grand Finale and for continuously complimenting and motivating.</div><div><br></div><div>For our Grand Finale performance we chose to do a medley of two songs, Yenga Pona Raasa by A.R. Rahman and Krishna Nee Begane by Colonial Cousins. This was mainly because we wanted to do something different, and us wanting to challenge ourselves and do a 7/8 time signature cover. This cover is a pure production of us as the three of us did the arrangement, singing, playing and to recording the tracks, mix and mastering to doing the video like we did for our other covers. We tried our best to do justice to these two songs.</div><div><br></div><div>MusicStar journey has helped us improve our knowledge and ourselves, especially from the Star Judge Umara Sinhawansa and the fellow competitors. Thank you MusicStar team for continuously following up with us and ensuring that everything is clear and ready. All the best to everyone! MusicStar indeed is a bundle of surprises. Thank you for making the competition more exciting, fair and intense day by day and definitely for making us a part of it.</div><div><br></div><div>Even though the three of us are in three different streams, software engineering, business management & finance and hotel management, we plan to always meet up and do new covers and produce original songs whenever possible because we always make time for music regardless. And definitely because the world needs a small touch of the Singing Potatoes</div><div><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol"">Please pardon us if we have made any mistakes. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol"">Cheers!!<o:p></o:p></span></p></div>

<div>When I was a little kid of 8 years old, I started my journey of Music as a Piano apprentice thanks to my parents. As the time went by, I played many roles in Music as a Keyboard player, Singer, Violinist, Tabla player, and currently, a Guitarist!</div><div><br></div><div>School days at Sanghamitta College, Galle were the best days of my music life where I was able to bring glory to my school by contributing for many national level victories in both Western and Eastern Music All Island Inter School competitions. At the age of 16, I could pass Instrumental(Violin) Visharad (final) examination and in parallel, Sangeeth Visharad final exam in 'Hindustani classical singing' with a First Class division, which is the highest passing grade offered by the Bhatkhande Sangit Vidyapith, Lucknow. With the intention to broaden & polish my music capability, few years ago I started  studying Western classical music and I am ready to face the Grade 6 - Singing examination of Trinity college, London this November.</div><div><br></div><div>One thing in my life is "certain". That is "my passion towards Music", which never had a break. even though I am a Computer Science graduate from University of Colombo, and a Software QA Engineer by profession, an Athlete holding University Colours, a LEO leader, so on and so on, my never-ending lifetime passion for Music never got buried</div><div><br></div><div>The reason why I chose many languages for the mashup cover I did for the final round of the MusicStar contest is the result of "me, being curious to explore & experiment new things". 'MusicStar' is a remarkable milestone in my music journey. So I must thank the Aspirations team & TalentStar Team for this wonderful opportunity given. Also I must pay gratitude to my friends for their continuous support throughout months and all those who voted me during the previous rounds of MusicStar. Special credit goes to "Tonic Media Productions" and "WhileART studio" for the amazing video and audio productions which I have submitted for this competition. Finally, I must mention that I owe all my music teachers a lot, for as I might not have been the one who I am today if it was not for them.</div><div><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol"">'MUSIC' IS NOT JUST A PART OF MY LIFE, 'M-U-S-I-C' IS MY SOUL!!!! <o:p></o:p></span></p></div>

<div>'Death ends a life not the love....'</div><div><br></div><div>'He was a singer who had an unexpressed love. Although he is no longer alive his soul still sings the song of his breathing love.</div><div><br></div><div>The reason is to choose these songs because I love their soothing melodies. When I listen to a song my mind first goes to the music rather than the lyrics. I think both songs are quite similar in music, meaning and the emotion so I thought they will blend well together. </div><div><br></div><div>Credits for Original Artists</div><div><br></div><div>Iki gasa handana</div><div>Original Singer - Amarasiri Peiris</div><div>Composer -  Darshana Ruwan Dissanayake </div><div>Lyrics - Amila Thenuwara</div><div><br></div><div>Hello – Lional Richie</div><div><br></div><div>Music is my passion so my dream is to become a Singer and a Musician. I will do my originals in future. I want to provide good music to the people and build up a good fan base too.  </div><div><br></div><div>I am grateful to all who voted me to reach to the finals and special Thanks go to Umara Sinhawansa for the valuable comments and StarJudge votes given. Thank you Musicstar for creating such an amazing platform.</div>

<div>Hi.</div><div>We are a team ‘Akila and Yohan’ which is into produce music. We produce, sing, mix and master our own songs.</div><div><br></div><div>Storyline behind the music:</div><div>Storyline is simply "bros before hoes" Music expresses the brotherhood between friends which never gets lost because of love.</div><div><br></div><div>Special thanks goes to - Jeewantha Hidallarachchi , Malindu Hashan , Chathuranga Lakmal , Supun Dissanayake and all who helped us!!</div>

Hi I am Praveenya.I am an Undergraduate at university of Visual and Performing Arts Colombo.I do a special degree in Applied Music and Mass Communication.I have completed all grades in Trinity College of Music London Piano examinations.My dream is to become a professional pianist in future .This is my Piano Cover “Candle On The Water” from Walt Disney’s Pete’s Dragon.

<div>Hello Music Star. My Name is Kavidu Dilshan Jayakody. I’m 21 years old. I studied at Nalanda College, Colombo 10 and faced A/Ls in Math Stream. I'm interested in both music and tech. My mother is the one who directed me towards music when I was young and that kept me alive in the field of music. When I talk about tech, I'm an undergraduate at Londontec City Campus. As the main profession, I work as an IT teacher. I also work as a freelance graphic designer and a web developer.</div><div><br></div><div>I want to become someone who can do something different in music and tech because my passion lies in those fields. I spend most of my days with my musical instruments and my laptop. In the evening, I enjoy practicing music with my friends. I still cherish the memories where my mother and I sang together. I'm creating my path not only for me, but for my mother as well.</div><div>About the performance, which I posted here for Grand Finale, It’s my own song. This song was written by Bhathiya Wijerathne and Rushan Avishka helped me in videography. Besides, all other tasks such as melody, music, mix and master, video editing and artwork have been done by me. I would like to especially thank my father for his invaluable support and all others who supported me to achieve this success.</div><div><br></div><div>It’s very essential if I can put the meaning of this song here. Because, without meaningful lines of lyrics, the song would be meaningless. According to the writer, the meaning as follows.</div><div>The story of "Vijaya-Kuveni" is a story we all know. We have entertained plenty of songs and stories about that. A lot of creations have emerged about Kuveni's lament and Kuveni's sadness. It also reveals her two children in some creations. Accordingly, most of the creations were based on Kuveni's point of view.</div><div><br></div><div>However, there is an unexpected side here. That is Prince Vijaya. Prince Vijaya loved Kuveni a lot. But finally, he had to banish her from the palace by himself. How much has this affected his life? How sad he was? How did he bounce among the kingship, life, and love? I would like to express my view on this matter. He is a father too. How far had he influenced the expulsion of the two children? Otherwise, Kuweni may be different from other evil things - as a vision of Vijaya's story and the uncovering of another ashes.<br></div>

<div>Pyramids was formed by 5 friends who are really passionate about music.</div><div>On vocals Pramuk Elica On Bass its Yasith Kodithuwakku. On Keybords Eshan Seneviratne. </div><div>On the lead guitar its Isitha Fernando and with the Drums its Kasun Shamira</div><div><br></div><div>As the story for our latest original Mal thura </div><div>it is about the ideas generating inside a man's heart while waiting to see his women after a long time. </div><div>He would definitely get ready to share his ideas and romance with her. He sees his women as a light for all his darknesess .</div><div>This is the ideology happning inside all the people who belive in love. </div><div>As a genre we choosed a progressive metal and a ballard mix to give sri lankans a new experience.</div><div><br></div><div>As a band our near dream is to get into he local and international concerts arenas soon.</div><div>About this video a special credits should be given to Satheesh Rathnaraj and his crew for filming and Editing. </div><div>Also would like to offer gratitude to our families and friends for their support.</div>

<div>Art, music and dances of Sri Lanka were derived from ritualistic responses to nature. Sri Lanka's earliest folk music was later influenced by the influx of Buddhism and the occupations that were done by the people and with their traditions. These songs were performed by commoners, and not merely recited by the priestly castes. The classical Sinhalese Orchestra consists of five categories of instruments. The drum is the king of local percussions instruments and without it, there will be no dance.</div><div><br></div><div>Here I am singing "amabaruwo", a song which is famous in "Siri Parakum" film. It shows Sri Lanka has a highly evolved pageantry of tradition, which has a unique array of music. Siri Parakum is a Sri Lankan Sinhala epic biographical film directed by Somaratne Dissanayake and produced by Renuka Balasooriya. The singer of this song is Mr.Saman Lenin who has a unique variation skills that Sri Lankans have.  They are using one of the Sri Lanka's traditional music instrument "udekki" in the original song but I like to make a difference with the organ. It has a part called "adaharaya".It represents How Sri Lankan people loved their culture and the traditions. It proves that music is a part of their lives.</div><div><br></div><div>Currently I'm a undergraduate at Faculty of Computing, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, Malabe. My dream is to become a good musician. It means not only singing. I like to study audio engineering and mixing to improve my skills and knowledge. I think MusicStar competition has given me a huge opportunity to polish my skills and talents .</div><div><br></div><div>Now it's time to thank the people who were there with me throughout this competition. First I must thank my parents and brother for their encouragement and guidance. Secondly  I pay my sincere gratitude to my music teachers for sharing their knowledge with me. At the same time I like to thank the judges for their excellent judgment. Next a big thank goes to the crew and the staff of the Music star competition. I think this is a good platform to show the musical talents. Next, I would like to thank my friend Pramodya Dissanayaka for making the videos and supporting me throughout this competition. A very special thanks goes to all my friends who voted me in this competition. I think you all will be there with me for the final round too. Thanks for believing in me. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who helped and motivated me  in numerous ways to achieve my target.</div>

<div>Hello it’s Ruchith Hadagallagae. First of all i want to say thank you to the MusicStar crew for their dedication for this competition. To be honest, I wasn’t sure about this at all when they rang me first, and today I’m really proud and honored to be a part of this successful journey.</div><div><br></div><div>Firstly, I’ll start with a little background of myself. I’m currently living in Melbourne doing my bachelors. It was not that easy to do a music production like this when you are away from home. I learned many things throughout this competition, such as managing the time, practicing and training my voice control.</div><div><br></div><div>So when it comes to the Grand Finale video, it was one of my favorite songs when I heard it for the very first time, because of the meaning, music and the way that the original artist sang gave me a real big feeling about this song. So I thought of giving my best shot for this in the Grand Finale. The story behind this video is complicated, so everyone needs to watch this more than once I’d say </div><div><br></div><div>Secondly, I want to give my sincere thanks to my group who helped me to accomplish this video successfully. Moreover, special thanks to Kaweesha Anjana for making the video and not to forget the actress Shalini Rathnayaka for her act. Next, Neluka Liyanage is the real talented person.. the best music composer that I’ve seen in Melbourne and so proud of him. He can do magic with the music so hats off to him. Finally, I would like to take this moment to thank my family, especially my parents for their endless support from the beginning till now and years yet to come. I am honored to have this talent which I got from my father and the best gift that I ever can have from him. Last but least I want to do something different to the music industry in the years to come. I hope I’ll be blessed to reach my goals.</div>

<p class="MsoNormal">Hello MusicStar. I am Sahan Liyanage From Galle. I am happy to say that I have been selected to perform in MusicStar Grand Finale <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">It is my pleasure to give my gratitude to all of you for encouraging me with every step I take in the field of Music. And MusicStar is another opportunity given to us. I am performing ”Nilupul Denethaiy“ Song By “Daddy Band” in Grand Finale.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I am especially thankful to Lanidu Sachithra who helped me to make it a successful Video.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Really we did not have any idea about making this video. We just gathered so many ideas to make this video. Thought of so many places but at last we selected my Room as the best place. However, we did it Successfully <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Since the day I remember I dreamt of being a singer one day. I am not ashamed to tell it and I know my dedication & your encouragement put me up. MusicStar Competition is an evidence to prove it <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">You guys were with me throughout the Music Star Competition & now it’s come to an end - The Grand Finale of MusicStar Competition. Hope you guys will stay with me & help me to win the Competition.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Please do share and vote me as you have done throughout the Competition.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Thank You  I Love You All </p>

<div>I just felt like doing this cover for the Finale because I want to enjoy every moment of my life. I want to be a good entertainer and an uncommon one. That is why I wanted to do a selfie video for this.</div><div>I want to share love and happiness through music. Hoping to make out in the industry one day as an artist and also with my band Ants.</div><div><br></div><div>I want to thank everyone who was with me, who is with me through this competition and also throughout my music career.. Thanks to MusicStar crew, Judges and all who voted and supported.</div><div><br></div><div>And special thanks to original artists of the songs I did as covers for making such amazing songs. Mr.Chithral Somapala and Mr. Sanka Dineth.</div><div><br></div><div>Thank you all</div>

<div>Hello, I'm Heshan Vithanagama, currently studying as a 4th year medical student in the Colombo Medical Faculty. I studied music as a subject up to my O/L exams and I was lucky enough to be a part of the orchestra of my alma mater Royal College as a violinist, under the guidance of Mr.Ashoka Pushpakumara and Mr.Lionel Bandara who were my music masters and I completed my Visharad degree in violin with their blessings.</div><div><br></div><div>Currently I'm performing as the violinist of "Chakraayudha", a fusion-rock band, and I have organized and participated in various musical events which were held in the medical faculty too. Though I have chosen medicine as my career, I will continue doing music because it plays a big part in my life and I love music.</div><div>I did the covers of "Chandrayan Pidu" by Daddy for the first round and "Obe sina Langa" by Visharad Jagath Wickramasinghe for the semi-finals. For the Final round, as star judge Umara gave me the challenge to try a classical song with the touch of Raga music, I chose the beautiful masterpiece "Muwa Muktha Latha" by Visharad Edward Jayakodi. The lyrics were done by Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe and the music was composed by Maestro Ananda Perera. The music track and the music arrangements of my cover song are done by me and I played some of the violin parts in it too. I hope everyone will enjoy the song.</div><div><br></div><div>Finally I would like to thank everyone who helped me to reach to the finals, specially my parents who encouraged me in the first place to do music and who are always there for me to help with anything I do, and my love Imesha Gunathilaka, who is the actual director behind this whole operation (and the camera) and all of this would have been impossible to do without her. So I dedicate all this effort, to her.</div><div><br></div><div>Thank you Musicstar for organizing such an event, which gives the opportunity to truly talented artists to emerge and the Musicstar team was very friendly and helpful throughout this time.</div><div><br></div><div>Thank you. All the best to everyone!!!</div>

<div>Hello Music Star,</div><div><br></div><div>It’s Malinda G with Mottu The Sad Version For MusicStar Grand Finale. I thought of selecting such a song since I’ve performed it in front of Mr. Lahiru Perera and he has given me a good comment thus I came up with an official version of Mottu The Sad Version with a Video For MusicStar Grand Finale. The video concept was built by me with the aid of Lahiru Dilranga Silva a talented and humble cinematographer and editor in the industry. Here the Arachchila part was done by Mr. Palitha Amarasekara & Niranjala Swarnamali Performed the Daughter’s Character. Though it was a sudden concept I think it reflects our best effort to make it a success in an abstract way and specially I would like to thank Mr. Lahiru Perera For encouraging me for such a wonderful production. So Guys and Girls, feel free to give us your best comments and help me to win the grand finale at your most.</div><div><br></div><div>So let me to introduce me next. I’m an experimental musician in the industry, though I’m a very fresh guy for the field. I’ve done few of my own productions and the recent work is the Despacito Sinhala Version that was done as a tribute to Mr. Luis Fonsi, for his great achievement of 5 Billion Views on YouTube.</div><div><br></div><div>My Dream is to be a Professional, Experimental & Universal Musician and a Creative Engineer in advance in the near Future. You can reach me on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Music, Spotify, SoundCloud, Deezer to know about my passion of music and to find my talents over there too.</div>