Sirima
Sirima Nicole Wiratunga (14 February 1964 – 7 December 1989), known simply by her first name Sirima, was a singer who sang in English and French. She was primarily known for her duet "Là-bas", recorded in 1987 with Jean-Jacques Goldman, which was a number two hit in France.[1]
Sirima | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Sirima Nicole Wiratunga |
| Born | 14 February 1964 |
| Origin | Isleworth, Middlesex |
| Died | 7 December 1989 (aged 25) |
| Genres | Pop music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1987–1989 |
| Associated acts | Jean-Jacques Goldman |
| Website | www |
Early life
Sirima Nicole Wiratunga was born in Isleworth in County Middlesex on 14 February 1964, of a French mother and a Sri Lankan father. She was named after Sirīmā, one of the great disciples of Siddhattha Gotama the Buddha.[2]
The Family returned to Sri Lanka when Sirima (meaning – Sweet Mother) was small with her two sisters and lived in Yakkala, Gampaha. Sirima attended the nursery of Holy Cross College, one of the leading Catholic schools in Gampaha. She displayed her talents in music from Grade 1 and often she was asked to sing for the class by the class teacher. She went on to displaying her talents further by singing Baila and popular Sri Lankan music at various events, Buddhist festivals and in the church singing Catholic Hymns.
At the age of 8, her parents separated and the mother returned to England with the three daughters.
Career
Influenced by her father’s guitar, Sirima became interested in music and started playing many instruments; guitar, violin, piano accordion, percussion. She took a keen interest in English Pop music and musicals, and formed a folk group with her two sisters.
At 18, Sirima moved to France and started working as an au pair. From 1982 to 1987, she was busking in the Paris Metro, at the Châtelet - Les Halles station.
Sirima was recognised for her talent by many people during this time, and started receiving offers for professional engagements. However, she preferred busking in the Metro.
During this period the music producer and saxophonist Philippe Delettrez discovered her. At the same time, renowned songwriter Jean-Jacques Goldman who has written many songs for Celine Dion was looking for a female voice for a song and Sirima was introduced to Jean, by Philippe. Result was their duet ‘La-Bas’ which went on to become a hit.
Sirima started receiving professional offers again after the success of La-Bas, but decided to remain independent and continued to busk in the Metro. In 1988, Sirima and Philippe started working on Sirima’s first album and released ‘A Part of Me’ on the 17 November 1989. Sirima designed the cover of the album herself and wrote her own scripts for the videos.
Death
Just three weeks after releasing her album, on the 7th December 1989, Sirima’s partner, musician Kahatra Sasorith stabbed her to death with a kitchen knife, out of jealousy on her success of the album, leaving behind her son Kym.
He had feared that someday she might leave him and marry someone else. He wanted to make sure that no one can take her hand apart from him! He was sentenced to 9 years in prison.
Discography
1987 : Between light gray and dark gray
La-Bas - Duet with Jean-Jacques Goldman
1989 : A part of me Sometimes love isn't enough
No reason no rhyme
His way of loving me
Kym
Apart of me
I need to know, duet with Jean-Jacques Goldman
Ticket to the Moon
I believed
Daddy
Was it a dream?
References
- "Là-bas", in the French Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved 11 May 2008)
- Feniger, S. & Hecker, H. (2003). Great disciples of the Buddha (J. Block, Ed.). Boston: Wisdom Publications.
