The Sound of Success with Sangeeth Wijesuriya - Music, Mindfulness & Meaning

In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, we sit down with Sangeeth Wijesuriya, one of Sri Lanka’s celebrated musicians, to explore his journey of passion, discipline, and cultural impact. From a childhood steeped in music to becoming a recognised artist, Sangeeth reflects on how his path has been shaped by family, mentors, and his unwavering dedication to personal growth.

He opens up about his belief in internal success - happiness, mindfulness, and presence - as being more meaningful than external validation. Drawing on his martial arts practice, Sangeeth shares how discipline and balance influence both his music and life philosophy. As a cultural representative of Sri Lanka, he discusses the importance of inspiring the next generation and leaving behind a legacy rooted in creativity, compassion, and authenticity.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of success beyond achievements, and for those who believe in the power of art and mindfulness to transform lives.

Key Takeaways

• Success can be defined in many ways, both internal and external
• Internal success, such as happiness and well-being, is vital
• Early influences and mentorship shaped Sangeeth’s career
• Martial arts strengthen discipline, creativity, and mental balance
• Cultural representation carries responsibility and pride
• Mindfulness is essential for growth and presence
• Inspiring the next generation is part of true success

Listen to WAYO

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4FxhFEHyjxhdm3C8vAq0wV

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Wayolk

Follow us on all your favourite platforms:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/
Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod
Website: www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com

Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00.076)
See see, cut the visor in the city villa, The day bubble in the liana pen, Catty Vague, Nethiveh.

De kalave tanivi siti am Sihina akare Kavatuna baage Nima ku nae

Speaker 1 (00:46.03)
Hey, hey, hey,

Speaker 1 (00:54.438)
The world is a of and We the ones ones who who are the ones ones ones who

Wow!

Welcome back to the Quest for Success podcast and wow, what an intro. I think that's the best one we've had so far. Today on the show, we're so, so privileged to be joined by Sangeet, which is Surya. And you know, if that's anything to go by, this is going to be a fabulous conversation. Yeah. So I want to start this discussion with a story, how I met Sangeet. So I remember when I was in high school at Anand College, you know, we hardly went to school.

we actually at the HSC A-levels and so I pretty much go close to the school and then went to my friend's place to have a bit of a party every day pretty much and this kid used to come from Gampaha and play songs I didn't know A-level times I didn't know his name at all only thing I remember him is the kid always sings

Thank you.

Speaker 2 (02:45.738)
and he sings awesome and about 10 years back one of my friends we were having get together and he said hey I can bring that singing boy singing guy to have a song and then I met the singing guy again after 10 years and we were singing and all my sisters all my family

They sang it, wow sang it singing.

I was just wondering who sang it? Apparently during that 10 years he became one of the top singers in Sri lanka and I was really I mean I wasn't surprised to me he had the amazing voice I remember when we were young but I remember him as the Sindhu Keeyana Koyarka in Singala and love to have him on our podcast and we want to really take you we want to

END

Speaker 1 (03:33.826)
Yeah

Speaker 2 (03:42.958)
dive to your story and really understand your background and really tell your story.

So you had a great memory before we get going. So, wow, fantastic combination, dead and son. Isn't that what you do? So yeah, yeah. So I could remember my son as well right now. So my son and I have been working for the same band called VIO. I'm the front man. My son is the drummer. So what a fantastic combination, dead and son.

I think we do it in a different way. He is the front man.

Speaker 3 (04:29.24)
Peace.

Thank you Sangeet for joining us today. I know you have a very busy schedule and taking time off from your busy schedule and joining with us. So the quest for success, right? So we need to start with a fundamental question. Yeah. And that is what does success mean to you?

This is

Speaker 1 (04:49.144)
My goodness, from the beginning. Excited question. Wow, success. Success is different things to different people, actually. So I would like to focus on success. Maybe sometimes it's achieving.

desired outcome or goals. So for me, success can be divided into two things. We can talk about two areas. First thing is internal success. And the other thing is external success.

external success such as

property and money and material gains and political vice, like power and profits in Srilanka. And the fame, right? Yeah, fame. So it can be visible and recognized by others. External success. But for me, internal success is the most vital thing.

B

Speaker 1 (06:21.07)
So happiness and spiritual well-being, know, good health.

You know why I am saying like that? Lord Buddha said, Arogya paramalaba santoshthi paramandhara. You haven't heard that. In Pali, means good health is the greatest gain and happiness is the real asset.

So I could remember late Mr. Steve Jobs saying, he realized himself when he was in the final. He said that money and material possessions can't provide comfort and cure.

Dead bed.

Speaker 1 (07:25.814)
and it reflected, so nothing can be taken with us. So that's why I am telling the internal success is the most vital thing. Without happiness, success is no use. Without freedom, without mental well-being, success is no use.

Absolutely.

Speaker 1 (07:55.502)
So that no value. So that's why internal success is more important for me. So you can ask me how do you improve your internal success.

Yeah, we really like to, mean, because as artists, you've gone through ups and downs, right? I'm sure we have amazing things that we can discuss today. And that's why we want to deep dive and understand bit about your journey. But before we get to that, I want to understand a little bit about your early life, how you got to where you are today. So, yeah, can you take us through your early childhood and also how you think your parents influenced

you. Okay? Well, so...

Wow, nice.

I was born in the western province.

Speaker 1 (08:58.424)
Gampas district. So after then, we had to move to the eastern province because my father was a government servant. So when he got transferred, we had to move with him. So he got first transferred to the Ingini Agalai area.

Yeah, it is work.

Speaker 1 (09:28.184)
far from Colombo and a very rural area. So I started my schooling in there. I was admitted.

Speaker 1 (09:44.174)
Primary school in Iniyakala. So during that time, I had a great memory, if you would like to. So there was a cultural event. My father was a computer. So I was six years or something. My father's friends asked me to.

sing a song. At that time, I can sing like, know, I was not good at singing at that time. So in that event, I sang this song. I could remember as yesterday. So let me sing that song.

Like this. That song not suitable for children.

So you know why I sang that song? My father's favourite. He was good at singing and playing guitar. My father wasn't a famous guy, but he was famous among his friends. He was an entertainer. So that song wasn't suitable for the children, but I sang it as my father wished.

So your father

Speaker 1 (11:43.086)
Then I became famous in that area. There's a little kid, can sing well like this. After then, next year, I was invited to another event. So it was held in the ground.

Speaker 1 (12:10.158)
police ground in Ingini Avenue. So that was my outdoor performance. First. Yeah, seven years old. At that time, I had few instrumentalists. The first time, I didn't have any musicians. I sang. So this time, I had

7 years

Wow.

Speaker 1 (12:41.058)
guitarist, keyboardist, tablist, something like that. So I sang late Mr. Sanandhanandha Siris song. I? Like this. So I became famous.

Please go away.

Speaker 2 (13:10.292)
Little kids singing like adults.

So after two, three years, my father got another transfer to Amparat district, Amparat city. And I had to admit to another school called know, Sadyati's college in Amparat. And after two, three years, my father got

Another transfer, my father was transferred to Batik Club. And my parents realized themselves, so my education is going to be disrupted due to changing school to, from a school to another. So they decided me to stay with my grandparents.

Actually my mother's mom and dad. So I had to move to another my native place, my grandparents' Gampaha. So once again, I think

When was that? old are you then?

Speaker 1 (14:35.95)
8-9 years maybe? Yeah, yeah, yeah, 8-9 years. So I attend another primary school in Nathugamma primary school and after then I attended Senarat Paranavidhan College. That was my last school. So that was your last school? Completed, yeah.

Okay, see you later, bye.

Speaker 1 (15:05.878)
education.

Do you have any siblings, Sangit? So she came with you?

Yes, my sister. No, she was with my parents. that's... Only you? Yeah. I had a hard time at that time because my parents... I missed my parents and my sister. Younger. Younger sister. So then during that period...

This is Young Gold.

Speaker 1 (15:36.472)
That was my good transition because I met my music teacher, Mr. Tisera. So I had to study the North Indian music. I didn't have any access to study Western music. So I followed ten ragas under that, my teacher.

Explain to us what do you mean by ten ragas?

Ten ragas means North Indian music. You know some ragas that is going to be separated. So I got a distinction for the music for all levels.

technical

Speaker 2 (16:31.874)
All right, we'll see.

Another way round. So I was good at athletic as well.

I did track and field, 100 meters, 200 meters, and high jump. So I was the champion under 70. And under 19 also, I was champion. And not only that, I was the opening bowler in my cricket team. So not only that.

you

Speaker 1 (17:14.965)
I was good at studies as well.

Thanks.

Speaker 1 (17:23.598)
I took the first place in all levels in this school. So my father and my parents and my teachers decided me to be a doctor by doing A-levels bioscience.

So I got trouble but I had an unconscious bias for the music. But my teachers and my parents, so you know what I mean? After then, so however at that time I had a relationship, very beautiful. Girl was there, so we broke up.

and after then I lost my A levels. That means, Bioscience. in March. Yeah. And that time, I think I had to continuing my music. So that's how finishing my studies and...

Give it up.

Speaker 2 (18:35.054)
Do you think there's a correlation between?

music. know? Yeah, so that's why I improved by doing some heartbroken songs and...

broken heart and

Speaker 2 (18:49.666)
So what was your like, so how do you actually come out to real music? Like, so you mentioned your early childhood, all the things, but when you had your music teacher, and then when did you realize that I really need to get into music and then what's the turning point in your career?

Yes.

Speaker 1 (19:11.982)
That means transitions or something? There are few things. First thing is you have told about my music guru, Mr. Tisera. So after then I told you my studies lost A-levels. So after

After schooling, lot of invited me to be with them playing. So I got an experience a lot. At that time, there was a famous band called... named Blue Shadows. Very famous. So I was invited by them to join...

Speaker 1 (20:11.48)
permanently. You won't be able to go anywhere. You have to be with them. So, yeah, that's really good. That was really good.

Okay.

Speaker 2 (20:25.975)
You join them as a singer.

Singer. So at that time I had to sing covers in the songs and other songs, right? I didn't have any own song to sing. The good thing, good transition is during that period when I was in that band, so

Mr. Santi created called Siriyalatha, it's very famous in Sri Lanka. I found that song to sing. That is my first original song.

Not in my own song, I think Blue Shadows, when I was in Blue Shadows. You can understand that. So then, have you heard that?

two of my favorite songs. You mentioned those two songs.

Speaker 1 (21:36.206)
Yeah, Mr. Hilmi created that song and I had a chance to sing that my own song. That is a nice transition and I became very famous. Right? So, like that.

I want to know, because I was reading about your career, I want to know where your karate instructor...

Have you heard that? So, I have told you that internal success. So, to enhance my internal success, I have been doing internal martial arts.

Tai Chi and Xing Yi and Ba Gua Chai from Chinese, China. By doing so, I could enhance my physical and mental balance, spiritual well-being. That's answer to your question.

Was that before or after you started music?

Speaker 1 (22:51.438)
It's going together.

But you're doing some wushu as well. Yes.

When I was in my native place, I have told you, my grandparents, in Gampaha, at that time, my mother's brother was there. He was practicing karate. So at that time, I inspired...

Young Pada

Speaker 1 (23:28.384)
I was by him. I just started karate. After that, I met someone who could join the kung fu class. So I joined the kung fu After that, my master was Mr. Jayanth.

After that, a teacher had come to Sri Lanka and I met him and I learned Tai Chi and Xing En, the other things. So I turned into the internal martial artist.

in a hard thing. So it's interconnected to the music as well. If I do hard thing, this is not related to music. So I can't explain how it works.

Do you think doing all of that mental work, do you think it helps you with writing your music?

Yes.

Speaker 1 (24:48.462)
Those kind of help, helps a lot for doing music. So you know how that's by doing like this thing. That is internal, that can be visible. This is invisible. This is in quantum physics, physically I can explain.

This is energy changing. It has a sound like music. You see, this is the energy. Energy. in a hard way. I can't explain. So it's come from within. It's like a sound.

You

Speaker 1 (25:45.998)
So sounds like music, nature produce sounds, sounds produce music. So that's how it's the combination.

Amazing so there's an interconnection between martial art and

It's coming from within. So you should practice. Otherwise, it's not working. I can say it's working like this. But if you want to try this, if you want to check this, you have to practice. When you practice, it can be caught by you. Otherwise, you won't be able to go through that success.

So that's why I earlier said internal success is the most vital thing for me.

So Sangeet, apart from your music master, you had any other influence in your music career?

Speaker 1 (26:45.378)
Yeah, absolutely. It was my father. So, my father... Yeah. My father was good at singing and entertaining people, especially. Not just only singing, but also entertaining. So, as a kid, I could see a lot of things of... know what I mean.

So he can play some instruments as well. He had English meddling and he had...

called harmonica and you know like serpina I don't know the words in English serpina maybe so he can play well yeah and he was good at singing

So, the most beneficial thing is he was an entertainer. Yeah. He was in music. But he wasn't a famous guy. But he was very famous among his young face. So, when they got together,

Modern music.

Speaker 2 (28:12.792)
colleagues and friends.

Speaker 1 (28:22.2)
He is the person who sings. He was the person who sings. He was committed to entertaining those people by singing, by dancing, by talking stories.

It's like you.

Speaker 1 (28:50.88)
is the person who

So you've probably seen all your life what your dad's done and pretty much kind of he inspired you.

So, I think that is the thing I am inspired.

I you mentioning once you had a breakthrough you won some competition

Yes, of course. So, I have told you when I was in Blue Shadows, there was a competition, Old Island competition, singing competition.

Speaker 2 (29:14.776)
What was that?

Speaker 1 (29:31.31)
36,000 people were applicants. It had been occurred six months or seven months. Finally, 10 people were selected. 10 finalists. I was there. So in the grand finale,

finalist.

Speaker 1 (30:01.184)
I won. And I took first place. At that time, I sang Mr. Vikta Ratnaika's song. It's kind of like, you know, Bhagavad Like this.

Speaker 1 (30:40.057)
Like that. It's a very difficult song. Raghic song. Bhagashri Raga. So I took first place by singing this song.

winning that competition, you think helps you to become known in the industry?

Yeah, was determined that I have to do something alternative to the industry. So that was my career milestone. That's my most important transition.

Game changer like a 10g

Speaker 2 (31:28.142)
So what happened after you playing with that band?

That band, I resigned that band after 10 years. 10 years? Yeah, 10 years. Then I formed my own band. All right. Sanidapa. Yeah. Maybe you... During that period, when I was in that band, I released...

I remember I think that's when I met

Speaker 1 (31:56.078)
3 CDs Rangahala Band This is not my original song That song was originally sung by Mr Vijay Ratnamarakkagudu and lyric writer Mr Hudson Samarasinghe they filed the case that CD, Banned

So.

Speaker 2 (32:04.106)
That's your original like first batch

Speaker 2 (32:23.312)
really? Remember you gave me a CD and signed something really beautiful and I actually listened to that CD like so many times and you know I love every song.

Yeah, yeah.

Speaker 1 (32:36.69)
I'll be in that. So then I released three CDs and I was getting famous again and again by songs like 7th Dury and you know Lama Thani. Maybe Mr. Dylan hasn't heard those kind of songs because he likes those songs. Your dad?

Yeah

love your style, it's pretty much connecting to my type of music. love that kind of... a of heartbroken songs and...

So you were born in Sri Lanka? So that's why. After then I just wanted to change the music globally. So I formed Vy. So now today itself

VIO is one of the top bands in Sri Lanka. That's what you think.

Speaker 1 (33:52.174)
So you know the why of me

No, why you mean air?

Right? Yeah, Vayo is, you know, there are four things. Apo in Pali or Sanskrit. Apo, tejo, vayo. So Apo means, so I am telling this. Apo means water. Tejo means fire. Patawee means hardness.

And vayo means nothing but air. Air is nothing but breath. Breath is nothing but life. Life is nothing but air. Air is everywhere. Vayo is everywhere.

like that

Speaker 3 (34:46.222)
I'm gonna that.

How's my expressions about bio?

Fantastic. So again, this is what the Buddha taught. Those four things created everything. you see is right. And then when you started W.I.O.E. also had a little business aspect as well with ringtones.

I had a ringtone company because...

I wanted to sell my music on my own, not by signing the other company. Yeah, label. Yeah, label. just started. Now, Ringin' Town Company. It's all over the world going down there. Now, apps coming. So, we are... These days, we are creating...

Speaker 1 (35:43.352)
Some app, bio app. cool. Yeah. I don't have much knowledge about that. IT people.

So Sangeet, in your career, you sang hundreds, if not thousands of songs, right? Do you have any favorite?

for my son. Yeah, a few. Okay.

Yeah, your songs.

Speaker 2 (36:06.894)
Listen to

In

Thank you.

song is one of my favorites. How did that song come about? Like did someone write that for you? You wrote it.

Felicity then how?

Speaker 1 (37:06.158)
No, I didn't. when I was in Blue Shadows band, Mr. Hilmi, there was a musician, his name is Hilmi, he is a good musician and he write.

He is the lyricist and the melody maker. So later on I changed some music by adding some alternative chords.

So how do you make music normally? you know get lyrics from different people and then you choose and you get your guitar and...

Yeah, how many Most of the songs were created like that. But I don't have any skills to write the songs. But I did few. Amma, Raghatala, Hira.

Three, four songs I have done. But I can do the music, melody. I am the melody maker. So, the other songs, actually...

Speaker 2 (38:42.688)
And you mentioned in the early days your parents and your teachers wanted you to be a doctor. Yeah. Now what do they think about your musical career?

I am so satisfied to be a musician, a singer and an entertainer than a doctor. It's the most valuable thing.

But you happy with what you doing. But you also see as a very senior musician now, right? Playing music for over...

Speaker 2 (39:16.814)
I'm to be nice to you. you're also helping a lot of other artists as well. seen you're doing this. And do see that you have a role to play as a senior musician?

Yeah, of course.

Speaker 1 (39:31.534)
Yes, of course, actually. So, other senior musicians were like that. I have seen. So, I must also do that. So, by spreading good vibes and, you know, sharing good vibes and good human being. So, that's my responsibility.

particularly help you to get your career into where you are today.

Everybody is not in a particular person. everybody is helping me. It's like this. If someone, not just only a musician or someone, if someone is in front of me,

He is hearing my music. He is the person who helped me. So every musician and lot of veterans artists helped me by pushing Sangeet. are great. That song is nice. this. But then that lot of musicians worked with me.

Motivate.

Speaker 1 (40:54.072)
When I was in Blue Shadows, Mr Prabod, Milan and Channa Lakkana, they have helped me to grow. And after then, Sanidappa, Mr Shan and so a of people were there. So they helped me to grow. And why also? I can't grow myself. We need help.

So in this idea, everybody's helped.

That's nice to hear that as an industry you you're each other. What about you? Are you helping any particular people? I know you discovered some artists in your career. I mean the first song they used... Tell us about little...

Yes.

Speaker 1 (41:49.964)
Yeah, yeah, yeah. So he was a great musician. Mr. Sainakabadagoda, late. He passed away very recently. back in the day, he met me. He came to me and asked me, he gave me five songs to do. You have to sing that song.

those five. So I said I didn't have much money for at that time to do the five songs. I said I can do two songs, I have to spend the money for.

So why do need money for swans? You have to pay.

No, no. Yeah, I had to pay for him and So, you know if I do this do the songs I have to do the videos as well. Yeah, so we have to spend a lot of Yeah, spend a lot of money. So at that time I didn't have much money for do the five songs. Yeah, so I Two songs were sorted by me. Yeah

Yeah.

Speaker 1 (43:03.837)
That was the one I sang, Apika Aurudha. And the other song was Api Sena Sille. So can I sing it? please.

Speaker 1 (43:29.23)
I'm you I'm not you I'm a you I'm not a fool

Speaker 1 (44:16.558)
Actually, you know, there is a musician named Mr. Shane Singh.

He is a friend of him, Mr. Batakota. So, Batakota asked Mr. Shane, I have to give some songs to Sangeet.

Okay, Mr. Baddaco.

Speaker 2 (44:45.56)
Because he wasn't that famous then, right?

Yeah, I think so. He was in the band, he maybe, I don't know.

Do you think that you help him to kind of a, because when he passed away, he was one of the top singers, right? Everybody loved his songs, right? So you think you actually help him to get his, discover those songs?

Uhhh...

How could I say this? So that's the nature, I think. So that's the nature. He came to me and I sang his creations. So that's the nature. I don't say I helped him. This is not nice. That's the nature. So why would I say like that? So I helped him too.

Speaker 2 (45:27.416)
Destiny.

Speaker 2 (45:37.464)
Give it that yuck.

Speaker 1 (45:44.27)
promote that song. That's not nice, I think. This is the nature.

And I know now you're very famous and you travel internationally as well to share your music. Do you feel a bit of a responsibility to be the face of Sri Lanka when you go overseas, to share Sri Lankan culture?

Yes, yes. So all the time when I travel, when we travel, so I am not going alone, so I am traveling with my band. So at that time, all the time I...

Speaker 1 (46:31.498)
I am sharing my cultural vibes, you know. But I am trying to do something globally. nowadays I am travelling, I am touring for my people. You know what I mean? So however one day I will, I am doing touring.

for the international people.

Is that your vision? So you wanted to bring Sri Lankan music to the goal? you recognize Sri Lankan music? it's still...

Speaker 1 (47:21.93)
of songs will famous you know by singing in English and you know that's a medium.

But saying is not impossible, know some Hindi songs right? Yeah, Taken all over the world right? Of course. And some songs we don't even know the meaning.

Yeah, admit it. But I had to do something mixed, in English and Sri Lankan cultural things mixed together. So I've been doing some experiment to do something. Definitely, I'm trying to do something.

Amazing, it?

with my colleagues, my band colleagues, who I owe.

Speaker 2 (48:14.262)
So I want to ask this question, Sangeet, your son also part of your band. Was that an intention that you want him to be part of your band or he decided that I want to work with my dad?

Yes.

Speaker 1 (48:30.518)
So it's up to him. He will be free for you know. That's what he's thinking. If he thinks to be with me, so he can be with me. And he's very free from that.

How did that start initially like you you're teaching him?

No, I didn't teach anything else. I taught him how to behave properly in the public. So that's it. He is very genius. He studies music himself by watching a lot of...

Speaker 1 (49:28.401)
actually he hasn't got any teacher

Wow. Yeah. How do you feel like, your son probably most likely will go to the next level, right? Your father was the local music hero. Now you're the Sri Lankan music hero.

So I am very proud of him, not only him, my colleagues. So we are all interconnected. We can't live life separately. So we get together by wishing and by sharing.

good vibes and know, good human being. We are all together. It's my son also.

But do you see that working with your son, it's a positive thing or a negative thing right now?

Speaker 1 (50:28.526)
It's a positive thing. Sometimes. Sometimes. some girls haven't known me as a...

what you call, you know, getting married person. My son became famous, then girls told me like, uncle, how are you? Like this. So because my son. That is some kind of.

challenge yeah because you've been the the the man on the like you know the stage you know like

Everybody knows how that is his son. I became uncle. Which is the negative side.

So you become better.

Speaker 2 (51:36.59)
But having him in the band is awesome

I am very grateful to him actually. He is a good person. Like your son.

We love what we are doing here.

Good combination. Wow.

I really admire it. Thank you. You're also a great ambassador for sustainability. I was reading your band spearheaded Sri Lanka's first carbon neutral guitar festival called Strings of Soul. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

Speaker 1 (52:01.547)
yeah.

Speaker 1 (52:14.338)
Yeah, this is not my whole intention.

Speaker 1 (52:23.406)
Mr. Dumit and it's a, you know, it's a whole thing is collective thing. Not only my thing. So the idea is Dumit and the others. So I provided to facilitate, I facilitated them and that was a very huge thing.

Yeah. And how important is that to you using your, you know, you've become famous now. How important is it to use your fame for the right reasons? To, you know, promote, you know, these. Yes. Sustainability events or promote, you know, different, different things in the world.

So that's my responsible. So people gave me some, you know, what do call, people gave me like some.

opportunity for you to shine.

People gave me some civil... You know civil means... What do call? The power. How could I say? People gave me power.

Speaker 2 (53:36.59)
Good duty.

Speaker 1 (53:47.726)
by listening to my singing. So they love me. So that's a power. So then in return, I live my life because of the people. They purchase the tickets to see me and hear my voice. So that's how I live my

life. To say the least, that's the most vital thing for me. I earn money from the people. So in return, I have to...

Good things.

good things to the people. So otherwise, I'm not a good person. So that's why I am so responsible to share good vibes. So I am always thinking about the people. So that's why very recently I tried to change the government as well.

by speaking. Because you know, most of the corrupted politicians were here. So they were exploiting our country and our people as well. So however, I just wanted to change that culture. So I influenced.

Speaker 2 (55:30.75)
used your voice.

Yeah, my people. It's very, it's very, I mean, how do I see your... Yeah. Right.

You're doing it from the heart. You're doing a service.

But some people got frustrated with me. So you know that's...

I remember we had a chat a couple of weeks back. You were saying that you are not supporting any party. Your intention is the country. What can we do for the country? You are not about supporting a party. You want to the right people to drive this country in the right direction. That is your intention. It is clear you are not supporting a political party.

Speaker 1 (56:06.658)
That's it. Yeah.

Speaker 1 (56:18.932)
No, So however, I just wanted to preserve my people, protect my country. So that's why. Why I live life in this beautiful country. You know?

And our listeners are very broad and quite a few young people. Do you have any advice to... If you were given the opportunity to talk to the younger version of you, what advice would you give him?

So that means my advice to young people. So in music wise, don't have anything to give them like advice because the young people, young crowd, young generation

They have been following a of things. They know about music better than me. So I don't have any advice.

Do you think that valuable to them?

Speaker 1 (57:37.582)
So I can advise them how to live life properly. So every moment you have to be conscious about on your consciousness.

So that's my advice to the young generation. So you have to keep your sense on your consciousness. So what is happening in your insight when you are going to do something. it's more beneficial. So you have to check out if it's a good thing or bad thing for the people.

Everybody has to be mindful. Otherwise, you know what I mean.

Even when you're in the stage, right? Like this show. Do you really sing to the people or just sing a song? That's what you mean by right? Mindful mean you wanted to connect, you want to communicate to audience.

Yeah, so I have few songs like that. But I am an entertainer now. So I am doing entertaining and doing some like those kind of music, those kind of songs. I have got some songs to...

Speaker 1 (59:14.55)
So enhancing the people's thinking. So am I correct? That answer is correct? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that's

So yeah, that's good enough, right? So Sangeet, what's next for Sangeet? What's your plan for the future? You mentioned that you wanted to create something going global, right? Do you have anything apart from that?

Yes.

So when you ask, I have a goal, so my answer is you guys are going to be surprised. I don't have any goal. I don't have any goal. But I have a map. I have a map. So I am going through this map. It's a journey. But there isn't any goal.

go in the scene.

Speaker 1 (01:00:13.498)
Yeah, there isn't any end destination. I live life properly and I am doing good things and I am following music, I am studying music and I am going, it will be coming some ups and downs. So I have a map. I am going peacefully with my colleagues and globally with the people. So however...

In very near future, I had to start, you know, lot of celebrities in the world. They suicide and they, you know, after reaching their goals, there's nothing. They are vanishing themselves, you know what I mean? Yeah.

I feel lost. Because they're over like over at you.

So I am planning to write some book or some doing podcast like this to how to manage their mind by practicing mindfulness and doing things. It could be very beneficial for the celebrities.

usually celebrities you know they are behaving like

Speaker 2 (01:01:46.126)
Was there a turning point like for you, I know you like 10-15 years ago when I talked to you, you're the party guy like you you're in the dancing floor, dancing I mean you still do that, like entertain others. But what I'm saying, we haven't had this kind of a discussion. You're talking about more rock and roll, right? So when was this turning point that you're thinking of more mindfulness? You know what I mean?

Yeah, yeah, I can remember. But you were not with me. You're You achieved so many goals. I really respect There's no goal. It's a like me. It's a journey. So in my childhood, I understood

All the

Speaker 2 (01:02:29.358)
Because it's

Speaker 2 (01:02:33.666)
Good.

Speaker 1 (01:02:44.61)
what is happening in universe. Now, by doing so, now I understand.

This world is mind reflection. It comes through my within by practicing. So this reflection is my mind. There isn't anything.

Speaker 1 (01:03:19.374)
I accept what the universe gives me. Maybe it's sorrow, maybe it's happiness, maybe it's some kind of thing. I accept. Why? You know why? Because there isn't anything to do with

You are not in control. You have to take it as given to you.

That's the happiness. things. you asked the question. The answer is...

accepting.

Speaker 1 (01:04:03.596)
Slowed Booth

Dhamma. I practiced his principles. Today itself I have been practicing. that's why this is my music, it's my job. Life, life. But somehow I am trying to convey this

You have a different...

people probably don't know.

Speaker 1 (01:04:35.79)
these principles by doing this. Sometimes in the stage, after singing, sometimes I am not mentioned Buddhist. Maybe they are Catholic people, or so they think the other way around. But I didn't mention any Buddhism or any religion.

when you

Speaker 2 (01:05:02.293)
All religions are...

Yeah, good things. Why would we separated by talking religion things? We don't need. But the truth is, there always truth. So I don't have much words to say. I am so sorry.

That's good. And I suppose looking back on your incredible journey, now do you feel successful?

Yes, of course, I feel successful because of trying to understand this. Don't talk about that journey or something, right? It's gone. Yesterday it's gone. Tomorrow it's... Hasn't come yet. Yeah.

You don't know what it's gonna look like.

Speaker 1 (01:05:58.092)
here with you guys. You guys are very fantastic guys. You guys are very awesome. So I am. I feel successful here. Living the moment. maybe, so I have to go to perform in Kalutara. Maybe it's time also going to be success. Definitely. Why? I accept.

Live in the moment!

Speaker 1 (01:06:26.262)
I will accept all the things. Yeah! I am always successful person.

Yeah, whatever comes...

Speaker 2 (01:06:33.166)
I love that. really love that. Sangeet, it's a fascinating conversation. I I don't think we had similar kind of a session. We've done over 70 episodes and it was awesome. But one last thing. How do you want you remember one day, you know, one day

I want to be remembered. So you know, I have told you, so I am sharing good vibes and it depends on the people. So I think I want to be remembered as someone who inspired others to be their best.

versions. that's my, that's my, so all the time I'm thinking.

One last request before Dylan do the summary. How do you end the show? Normally when you're in a concert, what's the song that you normally play?

This song. Before that I must tell your son. you know I have a list of, not a list, I have a list of friends. It's going to be nine, eight, nine people there.

Speaker 1 (01:08:06.518)
at I mean you could you know you can understand so your father is one yes yeah it's a good person very very nice person thank you he hasn't got any jealous or something you know it's a hatred and his live life like cosine effect

See

Speaker 2 (01:08:20.311)
Man.

Speaker 2 (01:08:38.334)
thing right because we don't see each other very often we hardly talk to other

No need to do that. we have to be interconnected. And you know, another thing is very important thing. So.

I need a person who can write English song. I found this guy can. Good. He is a good lyricist.

We will have a collaboration.

Before you play a song, I want you to play us out at the end of the episode. So I'm going to finish the episode and then you can play us out. Throughout our conversation, I've been trying to jot down some of the core traits which I think you portray, which have made your successful life. And I'd like to share them. The first one is I think you're very in touch with your inner self.

Speaker 2 (01:09:42.476)
You've done a lot of thinking and I think your internal martial arts and your meditation has really opened your mind a lot more. And I think, you know, being in touch with your inner self definitely comes through in your music and, you know, helps you connect better with other people. The second one is you're so genuine. This has been such a fun conversation, so open and, you know, even now I'm going to go to our next one. You're so happy.

You've been smiling this whole episode and it makes it so much easier to connect as well. You smiling makes me smile, makes James smile. I think that's another great trait, especially as a performer, spreading that positive energy, those positive vibes. think that's a really important one. And then the last one is your service mentality. You're doing music to connect people, to make people happy.

I think that's a really fantastic trait and I'm really glad that we got to sit down have this conversation. also, knowing Sangeet for long time, he's really authentic and he's a very genuine guy. you mentioned, Dylan, what you see, what you get, good heart and helping others is awesome and he doesn't want any praise for that. He just does his job. He thinks that's part of his service.

Because

Speaker 2 (01:11:10.678)
Such a wonderful to have friends like Sangeet and thank you so much for joining us today. Take it away and have

Yeah, I have to tell you something again. honestly saying, this is my first English podcast.

and you did a fantastic job.

Wow. You done very well. My friend, I'm very proud of So I have to tell the people something. So if I have got something wrong, my pronunciation or English, so please sympathize on me. Thank you so much. And with that. Pleasure to have you. And thank you very much for having me as well.

Thank you so much, Sangeet. And with that, if you guys have gotten something out of today's episode, it would mean the world if you could like, follow and subscribe to us on all of our platforms and you can see all of our inspirational content over on our website, thequestforsuccesspodcast.com. And with that, Sangeet, bye.

Speaker 1 (01:12:41.678)
Happy

Speaker 1 (01:13:49.198)
you

Speaker 1 (01:14:04.142)
Thank you so much.