Mariazelle thinks of kidney patients
by Prasad Gunewardene
Yes...she was known as the "Lamissi" when she entered the music scene thirty two years ago making her break with the then "Junior Rythmiers".Everyone thought that this slim "Lamissi" hailed from Kandy as she made the breakthrough the ever popular "Kandy Lamissi". This little girl with curly hair was a product of St. Joseph’s Girls’ School,Nugegoda with a sound English education. Known throughout for thirty two years as the "Kandy Lamissi" though she is now a mother of a little son,charming Mariazelle Gunetilleke is still at the peak among many female artistes in the Sinhala and Western pop scene in the country.

She recorded the song "Kandy Lamissi" in 1976 and this became an all time hit.Mariazelle is a singer gifted with a fine voice that matches both languages.Be it Sinhala or English,she could move any audience on any stage.She moved up the ladder in no time from her teens.Her top notch hits were mostly composed by the legend of Sinhala pop,the late Clarence Wijewardene.Clarence was the strenght behind her for many years from her begining.He composed lovely hits like "Yowun Sihina Loke’,"Sihina Nelum Mal" to mention a few.Among the others were legend saxaphonist and music director Stanley Peiris,now bed ridden with a terminal ilness.Ajantha Ranasinghe,the popular lyricist too was a shadow to Mariazelle in her career.Ajantha composed several popular hits to this Kandy Lamissi.

Mariazelle had toured almost every country in the world except New Zealand,Switzerland and Austria where she is yet to make her appearance.This little girl,slim and curly haired three decades ago grew up quick over the years with her popularity.She is no more slim but retains her cute look with that mischievous smile on her cheeks she had years ago.She believes in charity work at most times.

She is busy these days trying to organise an all female show to help kidney patients.She plans to do it at the Bishops College auditorium with the Experiments in a colourful manner.This is the first time a female artiste has given thought to rally round the females to help such a worthy cause."The cost for this show is high and I expect people to give me a helping hand for this worthy cause",Mariazelle said. The two major ailments that are rampant among all age groups today are cancers and kidney failures.As Mariazelle puts it, it is a worthy cause where people could volunteer to come forward.This show will feature a few guest artistes and is sure to pull the crowds.

Mariazelle will launch her own website on Tuesday (16) at Empress Suite,(Mezzanine Floor) Trans Asia Hotel at 4.00 pm with the Adahas PR and Media Consultants Kumar and Tharindra De Silva.Let all help Mariazelle in her effort to help the kidney patients.Women’s Affairs Minister Amara Piyaseeli Ratnayake has already agreed to discuss the project with her on Wednesday (17) at her ministry.Music could do alot not only to move audiences but also for the sick and down trodden.Very few realise this fact.