Umaria Sinhawansa

Umaria Sinhawansa was born 5 January 1991, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She is the daughter of Tony Sinhawansa and Aisyah Sinhawansa who were musicians and Umaria was exposed to music early in her life.{{Cite web|last=Gunaratne|first=Rochelle|date=2019-05-31|title=Sensational Sisters: Umara and Umaria!|url=https://www.chelleshock.org/sensational-sisters-umara-and-umaria/|access-date=2021-09-04|website=ChelleShock.org|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904124525/https://www.chelleshock.org/sensational-sisters-umara-and-umaria/|url-status=dead}} Umaria is of Sri Lankan Indonesian descent. She studied at Muslim Ladies College and Gateway International school, Colombo, Sri Lanka. She graduated BA Honours degree In Music and She has diploma in Interior Designing and Videography.{{Cite web|title=Umariya Sinhawansa – Jazz Unlimited|url=https://www.jazzunlimited.lk/umariya-sinhawansa/|access-date=2021-09-04|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904101230/https://www.jazzunlimited.lk/umariya-sinhawansa/|url-status=dead}} She has two older brothers, Subandrio and Hartono. Hartono is also a music producer & entrepreneur. Her older sister Umara Sinhawansa is also a musician. Umaria's grandmother Rani Perera, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema. She is also a granddaughter of the late songstress and actress Rukmani Devi.{{Cite web|date=2018-12-06|title=See What Umaria Sinhawansa did after her Marriage {{!}} Umaria Hot Gossips|url=http://news.starfriends.lk/see-what-umaria-sinhawansa-did-after-her-marriage/|access-date=2021-09-04|website=Star Friends|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title="I am not Sinhalese. We are all Sri Lankans"- Umariya Sinhawansa - Hiru Gossip English Edition|url=https://gossip.hirufm.lk/english/3660/2017/02/i-am-sinhalese-we-are-all-sri-lankans-umariya-sinhawansa.html|access-date=2021-09-04|website=gossip.hirufm.lk}}

By age 11, Umaria became serious about pursuing a music career, where she performed with her sister Umara for a large audience and that was her entry into the professional music industry.{{Cite web|last=Daniel|first=Smriti|date=2013-05-10|title=Umaria: "I want to be known for the music I do."|url=https://smritidaniel.com/2013/05/10/umaria-i-want-to-be-known-for-the-music-i-do/|access-date=2021-09-04|website=Smriti Daniel|language=en}} When she was in school, she learned to sing Arabic. Then she did few songs with Sri Lankan music producer Sri Syamalangan. She later joined with popular music duo Bathiya and Santhush (BnS) for a song of the Arabic genre which is called Shaheena.{{Citation|title=Shaheena (2009)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMGFF9gqGhk|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} After the song, she collaborated with BnS again for the film playback Pathu Pem Pathum for the film Asai Man Piyabanna.{{Citation|title=pathu pem pathum - Bathiya|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btMfPGMq-hg|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} The song became a super hit and made her turning point of the career.{{Cite web|last=Jayawardane|first=Ishara|title=Of pain and pleasure|url=https://www.dailynews.lk/2017/08/08/entertainment/124405/pain-and-pleasure|access-date=2021-09-04|website=Daily News|language=en}} In 2007, she became the youngest singer to ever be nominated for the Best Female Playback Singer at Sarasaviya Awards. Then she voiced for films, TV commercials, and teledrama theme songs. In 2009, she voiced the theme song for the television serial Gehenu Lamai.{{Cite web|title=Y Cafe – Umaria Sinhawansa – 2019.09.14 – Sirasa TV|url=http://sirasatv.lk/2019/09/18/y-cafe-umaria-sinhawansa-2019-09-14/|access-date=2021-09-05|language=en-US}} Her second song was "Gum Nade" for the movie Rosa Kele and both songs were commercially successful.{{Cite web|title=Umaria Sinhawansa|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm10293179/|access-date=2021-09-04|website=IMDb}}

In 2010, aged 16, Umaria participated in an International Singing Competition, Pan Asia Music Festival 2010 representing Sri Lanka, which was held in Beijing, China.{{Citation|title=Umaria Sinhawansa - Semi-final - Pan Asia Music Festival 2010 - Beijing|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8qDY60NRIs|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} In the competition, she sang "Hello" by Adele and "Listen" by Beyoncé.{{Citation|title=Listen - by Umaria from Sri Lanka (Pan Asia Music Festival 2010), Beijing|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnslXHHaEF8|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} She later won the first place from semi-finals and she was able to win Silver medal from the whole competition. Then she was invited again to an international competition, which was in Turkey, where she was the only Asian contestant. In that competition, she won the bronze medal. After the competition, a Swedish record label joined with Umaria for many singles. Later she participated in the Crimea Music Fest in Ukraine with her sister. They both did an original song named My Dreams, and they remade the song, Halo by Beyoncé. Later, they won third palace from that competition.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} In 2010, Sinhawansa had performed on International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA Awards) with BnS.{{Citation|title=IIFA Awards Sri Lanka 2010 Part 1|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4kMPfdZfMk|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} She also shared the same stage with Indian musicians, Asha Bhosle{{Citation|title=Asha Bhosle Live with Bathiya & Santhush (Pathu Pem Pathum)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hRvNl4HUkI|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} and Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy. In 2018, Umaria got honoured by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the song Vaishnav Jana to, a musical tribute to Mahatma Gandhi's 150th Birth Anniversary.{{Cite web|title=Bathiya and Santhush (BNS)... - Bathiya and Santhush (BNS)|url=https://www.facebook.com/6872124214/photos/a.164523949214/10156243264414215/|access-date=2021-09-28|website=www.facebook.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Bathiya and Santhush (BNS)... - Bathiya and Santhush (BNS)|url=https://www.facebook.com/6872124214/photos/a.164523949214/10156243265174215/|access-date=2021-09-28|website=www.facebook.com|language=en}}

After winning many international competitions, she was back in Sri Lanka, where she joined with the Ashanthi School of Music conducted by Ashanthi De Alwis.

During this period, she featured with Randhir Witana for the song, Mal Madahasa.{{Citation|title=Mal Madahasa (මල් මදහාස) - Randhir ft Bathiya & Umaria Official Music Video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcMHYgxlwIc|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} In 2014 she featured with Dewasri de Silva for the song, Nidahase Inna{{Citation|title=Nidahase Inna - Umaria & Devashrie|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPqXrqz5rt4|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} and many BnS collaborations such as Kavikariye, Baila Gamuda Remix Karala, Hinipeththata, Hitha Wawannema Na etc.{{Cite web|date=2018-05-14|title=Umaria Sinhawansa|url=http://news.starfriends.lk/umaria-sinhawansa/|access-date=2021-09-04|website=Star Friends|language=en-US}} In 2013, she performed on 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2013) opening ceremony.{{Citation|title=Sthuthi Sri Lanka|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAyWmDpmYe0|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} In the meantime, she made a duet with prominent musician W. D. Amaradeva, few years before his demise.{{Citation|title=Hanthana Sihine - W. D. Amaradeva ft Umaria New Sinhala Song|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuJRbIFjWfY|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}}

In 2015, Umariya made her first original hit, Denuwan Piya.{{Citation|title=Denuwan Piya - Umariya [www.hirutv.lk]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oetp-NJjjms|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} It was produced by BnS and the song was commercially successful. Meanwhile, she became a judge for the singing reality show, Sirasa Superstar.{{Citation|title=Superstar Sirasa TV 13th December 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHlSuZZtzeQ|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} Then she joined with celebrity reality show "Hiru Mega Stars" for the team "Sooryans" along with Yureni Noshika, Himali Sayurangi, Asanka Perera, Pathum Rukshan, Piyumi Botheju and Akila Dhanuddara.{{Cite web|title=Hiru Mega Stars - Team Profile - Team Sooryans - සූර්යන්ස් - Hiru Mega Stars - මහා සුපිරි තරු සංග්‍රාමය {{!}} Hiru TV Hiru Mega Stars {{!}} Reality Show {{!}} Hiru Reality Show - A Rayynor Silva Holdings Company|url=https://hirumegastars.hirutv.lk/season1/1-hiru-mega-stars-team-profile-sooryans-%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%96%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%BA%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%8A%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%8A.html|access-date=2021-09-05|website=hirumegastars.hirutv.lk|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Hiru Mega Stars - Umaria Sinhawansa Artist Profile - Team Sooryans - Hiru Mega Stars - මහා සුපිරි තරු සංග්‍රාමය {{!}} Hiru TV Hiru Mega Stars {{!}} Reality Show {{!}} Hiru Reality Show - A Rayynor Silva Holdings Company|url=https://hirumegastars.hirutv.lk/season1/1-hiru-mega-stars-artist-profile-umaria-sinhawansa-%E0%B6%8B%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%BA%E0%B7%8F-%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%82%E0%B7%84%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%82%E0%B7%81.html|access-date=2021-09-05|website=hirumegastars.hirutv.lk|language=en}} In 2017, she joined with the reality program "Youth with Talent – Generation Next" as a guest judge.{{Citation|title=Youth With Talent - Generation Next - Episode (08) - (10-28-2017)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_pnNAUrlg4|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} In 2018, she released a single, Malak Nowe,{{Citation|title=UMARIA - Malak Nowei (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv-4-zzjvTE|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} and then featured with Ruwan Hettiarachchi for the song Hiru Mal Kiniththak Dara.{{Citation|title=Hiru Mal (හිරු මල්) - Ruwan Hettiarachchi ft Umaria|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHH9NE9-yNc|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} In the same year, she made playback singing for the film Bimba Devi alias Yashodhara.{{Citation|title=Thurulu Karan - Umaria Sinhawansa|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGWDesjRKnQ|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} After that song, she became an A-Grade singer at Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. She is the youngest to achieve the feat. Then she collaborated with BnS for the album Oba Nisa and toured for the Oba Nisa concert.{{Citation|title=Neththara - Kasthuri Suwandaki (Live) - Bathiya & Santhush with Umaria|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWqyUszAXhw|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}}{{Citation|title=Oba Nisa (ඔබ නිසා) Concert After Movie (Australasia & North America Tours)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoYuGOgWrZ8|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}}

In 2019, she made playback singing for the blockbuster Vijayaba Kollaya, directed by Sunil Ariyaratne.{{Citation|title=Ahi Pillamak Athara (ඇහි පිල්ලමක් අතර) - Vijayaba Kollaya OST {{!}} Umaria Sinhawansa|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyBjMZ2cEck|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} In the same year, she premiered her single, Rangume {{Citation|title=Umaria - Rangume {{!}} උමාරියා - රැඟුමේ (Official Music Video)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A90mMu1gcbQ|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} on 9 August. On 11 December 2019, she collaborated with BnS and Sanuka Wickramasinghe for the song Saragi Asille.{{Citation|title=Saragi Asille (සරාගී ඇසිල්ලේ) - Bathiya & Santhush (BNS), UMARIA, SANUKA (Official Music Video)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1_zCeNMYDc|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} During the pandemic, she performed the first Driving Concert in Sri Lanka.{{Citation|title="BnS Drive-In concert with Dialog" - "සරාගී ඇසිල්ලේ" - Dialog Youth Song performance|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLcvTPa0A5U|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} On 3 July 2020, she released the solo "Manda Pama" which was recorded in France. The song reached 2 million views within first two days and later 10 million views on YouTube. The song also ranked number 1# in iTunes and Apple Music in Sri Lanka as well as received international recognition. In November 2020, she joined the coaching panel of the reality show "The Voice Sri Lanka".Umaria is also known for her role as a coach on the televised singing competition The Voice Sri Lanka and She is the winning coach of the season 2021 {{Citation|title=The Voice Coaches Are Ready #TheVoiceSL|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OwopdyIEAs|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} In the meantime, on 4 February 2021, she released her next single Yuda Gini Dumaraya as a tribute to war heroes.{{Citation|title=යුධ ගිණි දුමාරය - උමාරියා {{!}} Yuda Gini Dumaraya - UMARIA|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsUrUv1sf-M|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} While working on "The Voice Sri Lanka" competition, she released the song Rathu Eli.{{Citation|title=Rathu Eli - Umaria {{!}} රතු එලි - උමාරියා|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmEeMwC5nyM|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} She also made cameo appearances in the films Dancing Stars and Spandana.

Umaria is a light lyric soprano possessing a four-octave vocal range and a whistle register She has mainly been described as a pop, R&B and jazz singer. Her major Musical influences are her mother and sister.They always encouraged her to sing. And Umaria has cited Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson as her main musical influences.

{{Track listing

| headline = Solo Tracks

| total_length =

| title1 = "Denuwan Piya"

| note1 = Solo Track Version

| length1 = 03.55

| title2 = "Kumuduniya"

| note2 = Solo Track Version

| length2 = 04.00

| title3 = "Sandak Lesin Paya"

| note3 = Solo Track Version

| length3 = 04:30

| title4 = "Araliya"

| note4 = Solo Track Version

| length4 = 04.27

| title5 = "Malak Nowe"

| note5 = Solo Track Version

| length5 = 03.37

| title6 = "Rangume"

| note6 = Solo Track Version

| length6 = 03.37

| title7 = Manda Pama

| note7 = Solo Track Version

| length7 = 03.37

| title8 = Ayachana

| note8 = Solo Track Version

| length8 = 04.36

| title9 = "Yuda Gini Dumaraya"

| note9 = Solo Track Version

| length9 = 03.58

| title10 = "Rathu Eli"

| note10 = Solo Track Version

| length10 = 04.08

| title11 = "NAANE"

| note11 = Solo Track Version

| length11 = 02.05

}}

• A grade award granted by Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation{{Cite web|author=Staff Writer|date=2019-09-06|title=Umaria, the youngest singer to be given A grade by SLBC|url=https://newshub.lk/en/2019/09/06/umaria-the-youngest-singer-to-be-given-a-grade-by-slbc/|access-date=2021-09-04|website=NewsHub|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904111610/https://newshub.lk/en/2019/09/06/umaria-the-youngest-singer-to-be-given-a-grade-by-slbc/|url-status=dead}}
• Youngest artist to be nominated for the Best Singer Award in 2007 and 2008 at the Sarasaviya Film Awards{{Cite web |title=Umaria Sinhawansa |publisher=Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) |date=13 Sep 2019 |author=Fazmina Samat |url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20190913/282776358236792 |access-date=2023-04-07 |via=PressReader}}
• Performed on 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2013) opening ceremony
• Performed on International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFAA Awards) in 2010 with BnS
• Silver Award winner at the 11th Pan Asia Music Festival
• Bronze award at the original song contest in Izmir Turkey in 2010
• Solo performances in China 2010
• Silver medalist at the Asian Youth Singing competition, China in 2011
• Bronze award (with Umara) at Crimea Music Festival in 2011
• Song of the Year 2021 award at the SLIM-Nielsen Peoples Awards. (Song: Manda Pama)
• Honorary title ‘Kala Keethi Abhimani’ by the All Ceylon Cultural Environment Protection Organization.{{Cite web|author=Staff Writer|date=2020-01-19|title=Umaria receives 'Kala Keerthi Abhimani'title|url=https://newshub.lk/en/2020/01/19/umaria-receives-kala-keethi-abhimani-title/|access-date=2021-09-04|website=NewsHub|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904124519/https://newshub.lk/en/2020/01/19/umaria-receives-kala-keethi-abhimani-title/|url-status=dead}}
• Nominated for the Most Popular Sri Lankan Woman 'Vanithabhimana 2020'.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-08|title=Vanithabhimana 2020 : Pushpa Ramyani Most Popular Sri Lankan Woman|url=https://www.newsfirst.lk/2021/03/08/vanithabhimana-2020-pushpa-ramyani-most-popular-sri-lankan-woman/|access-date=2021-09-05|website=Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst|language=en}}
• Won the Most Popular Sri Lankan Woman 'Vanithabhimana 2021'{{Citation |title=Umaria Sinhawansa - Most Popular Sri Lankan woman at the Grand Finale of Vanithabhimana 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g2Phnee7hk |language=en |access-date=2022-03-18}}

On May 14, 2020, Umaria was involved in a Sri Lankan Government effort to promote COVID-19 Prevention among people in Sri Lanka. She sang the song, Itukama to educate the people how COVID-19 prevention works in Sri Lanka.{{Citation|title=ඉටුකම {{!}} Itukama {{!}} Bathiya & Santhush (BNS) {{!}} Umaria Sinhawansa|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2iauU9zmP0|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} And she performed with BnS in many apartment complexes following health safety measures, to make people mentally fit during the lockdown with the help of Sri Lankan Government.{{Citation|title=BNS along with Sri Lanka Army entertains public who are lockdown in an Apartment|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sycXkNwj0fU|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}}

She has opened up a social media page, called one promise to talk to people who are struggling with depression and other mental issues.{{Cite web|title=Login • Instagram|url=https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/|access-date=2021-09-28|website=www.instagram.com}}

2015, Umaria signed up for SLTMobitel and voiced many songs promoting this networking brand.{{Citation|title=Mobitel Children's Day 2015 Theme Song {{!}} Umariya|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ra0yfe0uGk|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} In 2018, she signed up as brand ambassador for Signal toothpaste and she voiced their brand's theme song, Sina Bo Wewa.{{Citation|title=Signal Sina Bo Wewa 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mqDT9D84ps|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} Meantime she was a brand ambassador of Sunlight (cleaning product) and She voiced the song Manu dam Viyamana with various artists.{{Citation|title=Sunlight Manudam Viyamana Song|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hULtXoNvswU|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}}

In 2020 Beauty Brand, British Cosmetic sponsored her song, Manda Pama.After the huge success of the song, on 21 November 2020, they announced Umaria as their new, main brand ambassador.{{Citation|title=Umaria - The 'New Face of British Cosmetics'✨|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF6ccbgmGDA|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} She mainly endorses the product Discover the Power of Gold - Prevense Advanced Gold Therapy and many of British cosmetics.{{Citation|title=Discover the Power of Gold - Prevense Advanced Gold Therapy featuring Umaria ✨|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s5JVLd3CGc|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} After she was named as a brand ambassador with others for the food and drink brand, Nestlé Sri Lanka's Nestamolt campaign. In the meantime, they released an advertisement showcasing a campaign between the company and Umaria with some of the proceeds going to "organizations that seek to improve people's health as well as mental and emotional well-being.{{Citation|title=Umaria Sinhawansa|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBBfEkhF2GU|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} Dialog Axiata signed Umaria as their brand ambassador, for Dialog Fun Blaster campaign and they collaborated with her song Manda Pama.{{Citation|title=Dialog Fun Blaster has now got Instagram! Enjoy Facebook, WhatsApp & Instagram without Data charges|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg1o_tVI0kA|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} On Mar 12, 2021, the phone brand Oppo announced Umaria as their brand ambassador,{{Citation|title=Brand Ambassador {{!}} Umaria Sinhawansa|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q1hs35YPug|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}} she is currently endorsing the OPPO F19 Pro.{{Citation|title=OPPO F19 Pro {{!}} Umaria Sinhawansa|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW3wDk6wRdw|language=en|access-date=2021-09-28}}

{{reflist}}

{{Sinhala Music|state=collapsed}}

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Category:21st-century Sri Lankan women singers

Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:Musicians from Colombo

Category:Sri Lankan singer-songwriters

Category:Sri Lankan women singer-songwriters

Category:Sri Lankan businesspeople

Category:Sri Lankan YouTubers