Tenudi Binaya is a seven-year-old studying in Grade 3 at Nakano International College, Bandaragama. She lives in Pothupitiya and loves learning new things. 

Tenudi enjoys music, dance, karate, and studying Japanese. She is passionate about playing the violin and singing, and she is practising for music exams as well. She also takes part in traditional dancing competitions and karate tournaments. 

Tenudi is a bright and active girl with many talents and dreams. Here is what she shared about herself during an interview with The Sunday Morning Little Stars.

Can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Widanelage Tenudi Binaya Thimethma Amarasena. I am seven years old and study in Grade 3 at Nakano International College in Bandaragama. 

I live in Pothupitiya with my parents and grandparents. I have two dogs. I enjoy doing karate, dancing, listening to music, and learning Japanese.

What is your favourite activity?

My favourite thing to do is learning Japanese. I started learning it this year and I attend a special class. I chose to learn Japanese because I really like the country of Japan. 

I hope to visit Japan one day. I enjoy the things I have seen about the country, and I also like their food.

You said you are into music. Do you sing or play instruments?

I do both singing and playing instruments. I play the violin and the melodica. I learn Eastern music in a class and Western music in school. 

I started learning the violin recently, but I’m learning it quickly. I’m also good at singing ragas, which I learn in my music class. 

Right now, my teacher is training me to sit for the ‘Prarambhika’ level in the ‘Visharad’ exams this December, so I am practising a lot. My favourite raga is the ‘Bilawal Raga.’

What are your future plans in music?

In the future, I want to become very good at playing the violin. It’s my favourite instrument, and I would like to master it. I’m also thinking about learning to play the organ one day.

Do you like dancing?

Yes, I like dancing a lot. I started doing traditional dancing when I was in nursery school. I take part in all the dance events at my school. 

These days, I am practising for an all-island competition for international schools. My dance teacher at school is coaching me. I am also planning to take part in the music category of the competition.

Do you do karate as a sport?

Yes, I do karate. I started when I was in Grade 2. Now I have a yellow belt. I also take part in tournaments and grading tests to move to higher levels.

Do you have any hobbies other than music, dance, and karate?

Yes, I enjoy reading books. My favourite books are the ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ series. I love funny stories and they always make me laugh.

What school subjects do you enjoy?

I enjoy Art, Maths, and Science. I also like drawing a lot. Sometimes, I send my drawings to newspapers.

What is your ambition?

I would like to do dubbing and read news on TV. I have already done two things related to this. I acted in a Poya teledrama and worked as a model for a commercial calendar for a popular brand in 2023.

Is there anything else you would like to say about yourself?

I recently got a certificate and a trophy for passing the Cambridge YLE Starters English exams. I also delivered the vote of thanks speech at the award ceremony.

Is there anyone you want to thank?

I want to thank my parents. I also thank Gayan Mahagalage, the Director of the teledrama I acted in. 

I am grateful to Nakano College Principal Himani Uduwaraarachchi and Nakano International Preschool Principal Samangee Fernando. 

I also wish to thank Nakano College Deputy Principal Nadun Weerasinghe, Primary Section Sectional Head Nilukshi Bulathsinhala, and my class teacher, Miss Sarasi Degamboda.