Afew people in Sri Lanka have captured the hearts of many with their saxophone skills. Among them, Hector Dias is known for capturing people’s hearts not only with his saxophone but also with his voice. His only daughter, Diona Dias, was a popular child singer in France and is now showcasing her self-composed song in Sinhala. Here are excerpts of an interview with her.
Q: Your voice gained widespread attention in France through “The Voice” reality show. Now, you’re ready to captivate the hearts of Sri Lankan audiences with a new self-composed song. Can you tell us more about this?
A: My greatest passion was singing on “The Voice” in France. That dream has been fulfilled. I also hoped to get an education in France. That’s why I worked towards fulfilling those aspirations. Since Sinhala is my mother tongue, I had a strong desire to create a song in my language for Sri Lanka. That desire was realised with the release of “Aala Tharanaya” on Friday on Hector Dias’s DMAJOR YouTube channel. The song includes diverse musical styles and visual frames.
Q: Is this effort aimed at making the song popular both in Sri Lanka and globally?
A: Yes, the song includes a variety of musical styles and visuals. My father, Hector Dias, worked as the director for the music video, and the lyrics were written by Navoodya Perera and Thanu Pramitha Galgamuwa.
My parents provided everything needed to ensure high quality for the video, which took about 25 hours to shoot. I made an effort to introduce different fashion styles, many of which I designed myself. If this song becomes popular internationally, it would be wonderful and satisfying. We need to work towards international recognition, and we’ll see how the feedback turns out.
Q: Why did you decide to create a song in Sri Lanka despite your popularity in France? Was it influenced by your father’s fame?
A: No, the creation of this song was not driven by my father’s influence. Even though I live in France, I have never been patient about staying away from Sri Lanka. My father suggested that it would be great if my first self-composed song was in Sinhala. Since then, my father has been a great help in creating this song.
Q: Creating and promoting music in Sri Lanka can be quite challenging and expensive. Was this a strategy to capture the Sri Lankan market?
A: I did not aim to capture the market. I sing out of passion and wanted to create something new and different. That goal was achieved in this manner.
Q: Your father, Hector Dias, has lived with music for years. Do you believe Sri Lankan audiences will appreciate your voice due to his popularity?
A: My father is indeed a popular figure who has established his own reputation. I want to build my own identity without relying on his popularity. I am working hard to develop the necessary skills within myself. My style is different from his.
Q: Your parents have been instrumental in your musical journey. How has receiving musical support from your father influenced you?
A: My father and my mother, Pathi Dias, are my greatest support. They are dedicated to their children, and I have no words to express my gratitude. I achieve my goals and dreams because of their support. I don’t think I could have produced a song like this without such parents. I am here today because of my father’s guidance.
Q: So, is your father also your critic?
A: Both my father and mother are my critics. Sometimes, my mother helps to correct the flaws in my father’s music. Even minor imperfections are pointed out and fixed. This kind of critical feedback is essential for improvement.
Q: You live in France. How is life there, and how do people know you?
A: I live in France with my brother and sister-in-law, while my parents are in Sri Lanka. They visit us whenever they can. Life here is quite busy with school work. People know me because of “The Voice,” and I receive a lot of feedback from young children. I am quite happy with this.
Q: Can you sing in multiple languages now?
A: I can sing in five or six languages now. I have the ability to sing a song in any language after hearing it just once.
Q: Are you hoping to settle in Sri Lanka in the future?
A: I hope to live in Sri Lanka. Once my education is complete, my parents have asked me to return to Sri Lanka. I look forward to living there.
Q: As a young woman, how do you manage your fashion sense?
A: I was born into a family that pays a lot of attention to fashion. Both my parents are very stylish.
So, I naturally developed a good sense of fashion. I dress in a way that suits me.
