• Chandani Silva on making a name for herself amidst the lasting legacy of her father, the late Freddie Silva

Comedian and singer Freddie Silva was well known in the entertainment industry, leaving a lasting legacy when he passed away in 2001. Growing up in his shadow was his daughter Chandani Silva, who is herself an actor and singer, among other things.

While Chandani Silva has released her own music, including the CD ‘Sanda Kinduree’, and has acted in several movies, she said that her father didn’t allow her to work in music and film professionally while schooling. “He always said, ‘You can sing or act in school and church, but nowhere else’. But somehow or the other, I got into a band after I left school and that is how I started,” she recalled.

Having started with music, Silva got involved in films as well, with her brother, the late Janesh Silva, helping her in this regard. Today, she sings with the band Summer Breeze, performing at weddings, events, and private functions.

In conversation with The Daily Morning, Silva spoke about the challenges that came with being known as ‘Freddie Silva’s daughter’ in an industry where she strives to make a name of her own, as well as the industry in general and her optimism about the festive season.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

What was it like growing up as the daughter of Freddie Silva?

I’ve always lived in the shadow of my father. Even when they introduce me on stage, they’ll say so-and-so’s daughter. I wouldn’t say I have made a name for myself. I can’t say that. For the rest of my life, I’ll probably live in my father’s shadow. It just happens to people who have titles; if you are so-and-so’s daughter or son. Say, if you are Gamini Fonseka’s son, they will always refer to you as Gamini Fonseka’s son.

There’s nothing wrong in it, and there are of course children of legends who have made names for themselves to a certain extent.

Do you think your career would have been different if maybe you weren’t in his shadow?

When I go for various television talk shows, they always expect me to sing my father’s songs. I have songs of my own. I have a CD, but they never ever let me sing my own songs. They always expect me to sing my father’s songs. I think that’s really unfair. If I get the opportunity to sing three songs, they expect me to sing three of my father’s songs. Give me a chance to sing at least one of my songs? But that’s not the case.

My father’s shadow is such a huge one, it is always looming over me, but I don’t see it as a bad thing. It’s just that people need to give me a chance as well to do my own thing.

We’ve seen conversations lately about nepotism in the entertainment industry, especially overseas. Do we see it a lot in Sri Lanka as well?

I think it’s very common in Sri Lanka. People are trying to go after their fathers or mothers who are legends, particularly because, I would say, the fame. If I was not Freddie Silva’s daughter, nobody would know me. You can’t say it’s a wrong thing, because children tend to take up after their parents, especially in show biz and politics. I don’t see it as something wrong.

You said your father didn’t want you doing anything professionally while you were schooling. How do you look at his decision now?

He certainly foresaw things. Everything my father had advised me to do when I was young, I didn’t do. I rebelled against whatever he said. Whatever he told me to do, I didn’t want to. I wanted to do something else. I rebelled against him and I got into the music industry, but I would say it has not got me anywhere. I say this because in the western band scene, I’m recognised, but being in the western band scene, the masses will not recognise you.

Did you attempt to go beyond the western band scene or were you content in it?

I am content, of course. I started as a western band singer and later I got to do Sinhala music as well. When you are in the Sinhala music industry, people get to know you better, because the masses speak Sinhala. Plus, because I’m Freddie Silva’s daughter, wherever I go, people recognise me. They like me and come and talk to me.

What else can you tell us about your childhood?

I had a wonderful childhood, where our house was filled with legends, such as artists, musicians, singers, and actors. My father had loads of friends and we had a fun time – my brother, Janesh, and I. He was more a friend to me than a sibling and I really miss him. He’s been gone for the past 12 years. We lost him in 2012.

I still think of him, still laugh at the things we used to do, and I miss him so very much. I had a wonderful childhood in school. I went to Methodist College, Colombo 3. And if I’m anything today, I thank god that I went to Methodist College. And my father had the foresight to send me to a private school. I’m so glad.

Many of the legends have passed away. What kind of a loss do you see this as, especially since you grew up around them?

Legends are not born nowadays. Legends were born then and most of those legends have gone before us. Being a legend is not possible now in this country. Legends are all dead and gone; you can only think of them and that they did so much for the industry.

Unfortunately, there will never be a legend in this country again. We don’t have that background anymore. There are too many new people coming in, especially with reality programmes, there are a lot of artists being introduced to the industry. So, nobody can become a legend. They are like soda bottles, fizzing for a bit and then forgotten.

Tell us about your work in film. Have you been in any movies recently?

Not recently. My last one would have been ten years ago or even before that. I have been in about 11 movies so far, and sometimes they are shown on TV. I haven’t done much acting as of late.

Is there a particular reason for this?

The people I used to work with don’t do any work anymore. Those who are there now are concentrating on the new generation. Things have gone from bad to worse, I guess. There are a lot of new people in the industry. They are young.

Whether in film or music, do the younger artists reach out to you for advice or guidance?

Not really. People’s attitudes have changed. The new generation doesn’t like to take advice from anyone. Most of them are very arrogant and they just don’t care. I’d rather keep to myself.

The festive season was somewhat low key these past few years. Are things getting better now?

Things are getting better. Things are certainly getting better, and there is work. I hope this season is going to be a good season for everybody.

Has there been a change in what people expect from these functions in terms of music, for example?

The people who book us are always interested in retro music. They do not expect any new songs. If we play a booking, we always get another booking from that.

Sri Lankans mainly love retro music but we do some new ones as well, just to please the youngsters, but our bookings are always from people who love old music, from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

What can we expect from you in the coming months?

I have new songs, though I never get to sing those songs.

We are expecting a good season for Christmas, and we usually have a lot of Christmas parties to sing at. And this is something special: I have not sung in my church choir for the past 20 years or so on Christmas Eve. But this year, I decided that on the night of 24 December, I am not going to sing at a gig, but that I will sing in church.

I would also like to thank the people who have always helped me, giving me opportunities to act, as well as those who give us bookings and people who recognise our talents. And I’m grateful to God for giving me this job.

PHOTO Venura Chandramalitha