Champa Kalhari Jayasekara
Kalhari pursued formal training at Bhatkhande and earned the Sangeet Visharad degree in 1994 and Sangeet Nipun in 2015. Born in Colombo, the 53-year-old comes from a family with a strong musical tradition. Because her father was an admirer of Lata Mangeshkar, inspired by him from an early age, Kalhari developed a love for music and later for Hindi songs, partly.
She said these experiences deepened her understanding of music and strengthened her bond with Lucknow. Indian classical music has also played a significant role in her artistic development. Her father, HDS Jayasekara, was a musician and lecturer at Sri Lanka’s Institute of Aesthetic Studies.
Recalling the start of her musical journey, Kalhari said she was only six years’ old when she performed Sri Lanka Ma Priyadara Jaya Bhoomi, a song associated with legendary Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar . Having visited Lucknow several times, she said she feels deeply attached to its people, culture, tehzeeb and literary traditions. Kalhari said her decades-long career taught her the value of continuous learning, which motivated her to pursue higher studies.
Lucknow: Popular Sri Lankan singer, actress and media personality Champa Kalhari Jayasekara is set to begin a new chapter in her career by pursuing a PhD in the department of journalism and mass communication at Lucknow University . Known for her work in Hindi and Sinhala music, Kalhari has built a multifaceted career spanning singing, acting, radio and television. Her selection for a children’s programme on Radio Ceylon marked the beginning of a lifelong association with music and broadcasting. Kalhari’s decision to study at Lucknow University stems from her long-standing connection with the city. Through her doctoral research, she hopes to combine her professional experience in music, radio and television with academic study, particularly in areas related to communication, culture and performing arts. She has also sung in Sinhala films and recorded Hindi adaptations of popular Sinhala tracks. Her song Sitha Piya Salala gained popularity during the 1990s. Beyond music, she has acted in teledramas, hosted the programme Hindi Top Ten on Shree FM, presented television shows on Rupavahini and worked as a media and publicity officer in Sri Lanka’s aviation sector. She hopes to bring her experiences as an artist into academic research and gain a deeper understanding of communication and media.