View source for Yohani

{{Short description|Sri Lankan singer (born 1993)}}
{{Update|part=Discography section|date=March 2024}}
{{Excessive citations|date=October 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Yohani
| image              =
| caption            =
| native_name        =
| birth_name         = Yohani Diloka de Silva
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1993|07|30}}
| birth_place        = [[Colombo]], Sri Lanka
| alma_mater         = [[Central Queensland University]]
| occupation         = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|model}}
| years_active       = 2016–present
| known_for          =
| father             = [[Prasanna De Silva|Prasanna de Silva]]
| awards             =
}}
'''Yohani Diloka de Silva''' (born 30 July 1993) is a Sri Lankan singer-songwriter, rapper, and YouTuber.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-08-23|title=SJB wants Govt to learn from Yohani's 'Menike mage hithe" song|url=https://www.newswire.lk/2021/08/23/sjb-wants-govt-to-learn-from-government-to-lg/|access-date=2021-08-24|website=NewsWire|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721151222/https://www.newswire.lk/2021/08/23/sjb-wants-govt-to-learn-from-government-to-lg/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Amerasinghe">{{cite web |last=Amerasinghe |first=Nilanthi |date=7 August 2021 |title=Please welcome…Yohani! |url=https://www.dailynews.lk/2021/08/07/features/255981/please-welcome%E2%80%A6yohani |access-date=2021-08-24 |website=Daily News|archive-date=21 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721151346/http://archives1.dailynews.lk/2021/08/07/features/255981/please-welcome%E2%80%A6yohani |url-status=live }}</ref> She started her music career as a [[YouTuber]]. She soon gained recognition for her rap cover of 'Deviyange Bare' and released many covers of her singing and rapping which have earned her the title "Rap Princess" of [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2021-09-24 |title=নজরে বলিউড, সোশ্যাল মিডিয়া কাঁপিয়ে এবার ভারতে গানের জাদু দেখাতে আসছে 'মানিকে মাগে' Yohani |trans-title=Yohani is coming to show the magic of music in India after shaking the attention of Bollywood, social media |url=https://www.sangbadsafar.com/entertrainment/yohani-coming-to-india-for-live-concert/ |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=Sangbad Safar |language=Bengali |archive-date=2 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002171354/https://www.sangbadsafar.com/entertrainment/yohani-coming-to-india-for-live-concert/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> She rose to prominence and gained global recognition for her cover of "[[Manike Mage Hithe]]".<ref>{{cite web |last=Weerasooriya |first=Sahan |date=31 August 2021 |title=Global recognition for local artiste! |url=http://island.lk/global-recognition-for-local-artiste/ |access-date=2021-09-01 |website=The Island Online}}</ref> She also became the first Sri Lankan female singer to surpass a total of 3.60&nbsp;million subscribers on [[YouTube]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title='Manike Mage Hithe' Yohani's Manike touches the hearts of 60 million|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/210829/magazine/manike-mage-hithe-yohanis-manike-touches-the-hearts-of-60-million-453521.html|access-date=2021-09-01|website=Print Edition – The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721151351/https://www.sundaytimes.lk/210829/magazine/manike-mage-hithe-yohanis-manike-touches-the-hearts-of-60-million-453521.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2021-09-20 |title=মানিকে মাগে হিতে, 'Yohani'র সুপারহিট গানে দুর্দান্ত নাচে ভাইরাল চার সুন্দরী যুবতী, রইল ভিডিও |trans-title=Manike Mage Hete, 'Yohani's super hit song, four beautiful young women viral, video |url=https://www.sangbadsafar.com/viral-video/four-girls-danced-to-manike-mage-hithe-song-viral-video/ |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=Sangbad Safar|archive-date=2 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002171356/https://www.sangbadsafar.com/viral-video/four-girls-danced-to-manike-mage-hithe-song-viral-video/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Personal life ==
Yohani was born on 30 July 1993 in [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{cite web|title=वायरल हुआ Manike Mage Hithe गाने का भोजपुरी वर्जन वीडियो|url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/video/movie-masti/bhojpuri/yohani-song-manike-mage-hithe-bhojpuri-version-sung-by-bihari-gypsy-soul-goes-viral-on-social-media/videoshow/86451899.cms|access-date=2021-10-02|website=Navbharat Times|language=hi|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721151226/https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/video/movie-masti/bhojpuri/yohani-song-manike-mage-hithe-bhojpuri-version-sung-by-bihari-gypsy-soul-goes-viral-on-social-media/videoshow/86451899.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2021-09-08 |title=এবার হিন্দি গান গেয়ে ফের ভাইরাল 'মানিকে মাগে হিতে' গায়িকা ইয়োহানি, শুনেছেন? |trans-title=Manike Mage Hithe Singer Yohani: 'Manike Mage Hithe' singer Yohani is viral again by singing a Hindi song, have you heard? |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/entertainment/bollywood-manike-mage-hithe-singer-yohani-de-silva-sings-hindi-song-goes-viral-again-rc-655511.html |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=News18 Bengali |language=bn |archive-date=21 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721151352/https://bengali.news18.com/news/entertainment/bollywood-manike-mage-hithe-singer-yohani-de-silva-sings-hindi-song-goes-viral-again-rc-655511.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She is the daughter of a former Army officer [[Major-general (Sri Lanka)|Major General]] [[Prasanna De Silva|Prasanna de Silva]]. Her mother Dinithi de Silva, was a former cabin crew member at [[SriLankan Airlines|Sri Lankan Airlines]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-09-21|title='Manike Mage Hithe' Singer Yohani Hosted By Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre's Director, Shares Picture on Social Media {{!}} 🎥 LatestLY|url=https://www.latestly.com/socially/entertainment/manike-mage-hithe-singer-yohani-hosted-by-swami-vivekananda-cultural-centres-director-shares-picture-on-social-media-2872638.html|access-date=2021-10-02|website=LatestLY|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721151351/https://www.latestly.com/socially/entertainment/manike-mage-hithe-singer-yohani-hosted-by-swami-vivekananda-cultural-centres-director-shares-picture-on-social-media-2872638.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|author=Tiasa Bhowal |date=9 September 2021 |title=Watch top 10 Manike Mage Hithe viral videos, featuring Big B, Tiger Shroff and other celebs|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/watch-top-10-manike-mage-hithe-viral-videos-featuring-big-b-tiger-shroff-and-other-celebs-1850868-2021-09-09|access-date=2021-10-02|magazine=India Today}}</ref> She is a [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] and has practiced [[Buddhism]] since her early life.<ref>{{Cite web |title=স্টেজেই আহত 'মানিকে মাগে হিথে'-খ্যাত ইয়োহানি |url=https://www.banglatribune.com/entertainment/704993/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%A4-%E2%80%98%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A5%E0%A7%87%E2%80%99-%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%87%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=Bangla Tribune |language=bn}}</ref> Yohani has one younger sister, Shavindri de Silva, who is currently studying medicine.<ref>{{cite web |date=2021-09-24 |title='মানিকে মাগে হিথে' গায়িকা ইয়োহানি ভারতে আসছেন, কবে কোথায় তাঁর অনুষ্ঠান? জানুন |trans-title=Manike Mage Hithe Singer Yohani Coming India: 'Manike Mage Hithe' singer Yohani is coming to India, when and where is her show? get to know |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/entertainment/bollywood-manike-mage-hithe-singer-yohani-de-silva-is-coming-to-india-to-perform-rc-663892.html |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=News18 Bengali |language=bn |archive-date=21 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721151853/https://bengali.news18.com/news/entertainment/bollywood-manike-mage-hithe-singer-yohani-de-silva-is-coming-to-india-to-perform-rc-663892.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=4 September 2021 |title=ইয়োহানি শুধু ইউটিউবে নয়, জলেও দাপান! সিংহলি তারকার ইতিহাস ভূগোল চমকে দেওয়ার মতো |trans-title=Yohani is not only on YouTube, but also in water! The history and geography of the Sinhalese star is staggering |url=https://thewall.in/entertainment/know-the-fascinating-history-of-srilanka-star-yohani-which-links-her-to-sports/ |access-date=2021-10-02 |archive-date=21 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721151900/https://thewall.in/entertainment/know-the-fascinating-history-of-srilanka-star-yohani-which-links-her-to-sports/tid/55792 |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to their father's military background, both girls grew up in different Army bases in [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{cite web |last=भाटिया |first=अमित |date=2021-10-02 |title=Manike Mage Hithe से मशहूर हुईं Yohani का 'बसपन का प्यार' ! सबसे बिंदास इंटरव्यू |trans-title=Yohani's 'Bespan Ka Pyaar' became famous with Manike Mage Hithe! most cool interview |url=https://www.abplive.com/videos/news/manike-mage-hithe-singer-yohani-interview-on-abp-1976672 |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=ABPLive |language=hi |archive-date=21 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721151740/https://www.abplive.com/videos/news/manike-mage-hithe-singer-yohani-interview-on-abp-1976672 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Yohani's interest and practice in music began early in her life,<ref>{{cite web |last=Bhowal |first=Upasya |date=15 September 2021 |title=Manike Mage Hithe |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/try-this/social/manike-mage-hithe/cid/1830706 |access-date=2021-10-02 |work=My Kolkata |publisher=The Telegraph|location=India}}</ref> and it was her mother who identified her keenness and prompted her to pursue this passion at a young age.<ref name="Amerasinghe" /><ref>{{cite web|date=2021-06-07|title=විශ්‍රාමික මේජර් ජෙනරාල් ප්‍රසන්න ද සිල්වාගේ දියණිය වීම ගැන මට ආඩම්බරයි – යොහානි ද සිල්වා ⋆ සතුටින් ජීවිතය දරන්නී – Dharanee|url=http://dharanee.lk/%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%92%E0%B7%81%E0%B7%8A%E2%80%8D%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%9A-%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%9A%E0%B6%A2%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%8A-%E0%B6%A2%E0%B7%99%E0%B6%B1%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%8A/|access-date=2021-08-10|website=සතුටින් ජීවිතය දරන්නී – Dharanee|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721151742/https://dharanee.lk/%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%92%E0%B7%81%E0%B7%8A%E2%80%8D%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%9A-%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%9A%E0%B6%A2%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%8A-%E0%B6%A2%E0%B7%99%E0%B6%B1%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%8A/|url-status=live}}</ref> She grew up surrounded by her parents' love of music as they often listened to the [[BeeGees]], [[Spice Girls]], [[AR Rahman]] and [[Elton John]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bhavani|first=Divya Kala|date=2021-10-04|title='Manike Mage Hithe' singer Yohani : I do not wish to limit myself|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/sri-lanka-singer-yohani-interview-manike-mage-hithe-2021-album-kella/article36820211.ece|access-date=2021-11-18|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> She was schooled in [[Visakha Vidyalaya]] Colombo. She completed her higher education in Logistics Management and Professional Accounting from the [[General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University]] prior to pursuing her career as an artist.<ref>{{cite web|last=Weerasooriya|first=Sahan|title=A novel CD… with the old and the new|date=9 February 2021 |url=http://island.lk/a-novel-cd-with-the-old-and-the-new/|access-date=2021-08-10}}</ref> She also obtained a master's degree in accounting from [[Central Queensland University|CQUniversity Australia]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Nadeera|first=Dilshan|title='Manike mage hithe'; Amaradeva amathakado?|date=23 September 2021 |url=http://island.lk/manike-mage-hithe-amaradeva-amathakado/|access-date=2021-10-02}}</ref>
== Career ==
{{BLP sources section|date=February 2023}}
Yohani's music career took centre stage upon her return to [[Sri Lanka]] in March 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=മണിഗേ മഗഹിതേ..., ഏതാണീ ഗാനം?, ആരാണ് യോഹാനി ഡിസിൽവ?|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/videos/viral/sri-lankan-singer-songwriter-yohani-de-silva-and-her-manike-mage-hithe-song-goes-viral-1.5989896|access-date=2021-10-02|website=Mathrubhumi|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001124204/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/videos/viral/sri-lankan-singer-songwriter-yohani-de-silva-and-her-manike-mage-hithe-song-goes-viral-1.5989896|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ranu Mondal Is Trending Again, Courtesy Yohani's Manike Maghe Hithe|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/ranu-mondal-is-trending-again-courtesy-yohanis-manike-maghe-hithe-2558913|access-date=2021-10-02|website=NDTV.com|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721152403/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/ranu-mondal-is-trending-again-courtesy-yohanis-manike-maghe-hithe-2558913|url-status=live}}</ref> She joined Pettah Effect, a record label that was co-founded by Dilanjan, and had much young talent running the show.<ref>{{Cite magazine|author=Tiasa Bhowal|date=30 September 2021|title=US girl's violin cover of Sri Lankan song Manike Mage Hithe is winning the Internet. Viral video|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/us-girl-s-violin-cover-of-sri-lankan-song-manike-mage-hithe-is-winning-the-internet-viral-video-1859030-2021-09-30|access-date=2021-10-02|magazine=India Today|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721152415/https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/us-girl-s-violin-cover-of-sri-lankan-song-manike-mage-hithe-is-winning-the-internet-viral-video-1859030-2021-09-30|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2020,<ref>{{cite web |last=Purkayastha |first=Pallabi Dey |date=25 September 2021 |title='Manike Mage Hithe' singer Yohani: In Bollywood, I would love to work with A.R. Rahman |url=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-wion-exclusive-manike-mage-hithe-singer-yohani-in-bollywood-i-would-love-to-work-with-ar-rahman-415805 |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=WION}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2021-10-01|title=Ranu Mondal ने आपल्या स्टाईलमध्ये गायलं 'Manike Mange Hite' गाणं|url=https://zeenews.india.com/marathi/entertainment/ranu-mondal-sing-yohani-manike-mage-hithe-song/586283|access-date=2021-10-02|website=24taas.com|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721152416/https://zeenews.india.com/marathi/entertainment/ranu-mondal-sing-yohani-manike-mage-hithe-song/586283|url-status=live}}</ref> Prima Kottu Mee signed Yohani as their Brand Ambassador for two years, as one of her first-ever significant brand endorsements.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-09-21|title=Creators thrilled at popularity of 'Manike Mage Hithe' in India: 'Feels like a dream… unbelievably happy'|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/the-magic-of-manike-mage-hithe-viral-sri-lankan-song-7513744/|access-date=2021-10-02|website=The Indian Express|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721152410/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/the-magic-of-manike-mage-hithe-viral-sri-lankan-song-7513744/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the months that followed, Yohani got signed by [[Red Bull Records]], with her debut single "Aaye" premiering in August 2020. The latter part of 2020 saw new releases,<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-12-22|title=Yohani releases her first-ever English language original 'Merry Christmas Baby'|url=http://www.themorning.lk/yohani-releases-her-first-ever-english-language-original-merry-christmas-baby/|access-date=2021-10-02|website=The Morning – Sri Lanka News|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721152258/https://www.themorning.lk/articles/110196|url-status=live}}</ref> including ''Sitha Dawuna'', a collaboration with Chamath Sangeeth in September 2020.<ref>{{cite web|date=2019-05-03|title=Gearing to make dreams come true!|url=https://archives1.sundayobserver.lk/2019/05/05/youth-observer/gearing-make-dreams-come-true|access-date=2021-08-10|website=Sunday Observer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|author=Raya Ghosh|date=26 September 2021|title=This soulful flute cover of Manike Mage Hithe is crazy viral online. Yohani reacts|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/this-soulful-flute-cover-of-manike-mage-hithe-is-crazy-viral-online-yohani-reacts-1857427-2021-09-26|access-date=2021-10-02|magazine=India Today|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721152807/https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/this-soulful-flute-cover-of-manike-mage-hithe-is-crazy-viral-online-yohani-reacts-1857427-2021-09-26|url-status=live}}</ref>
Her next song reverberated with citizens who endured a [[Sri Lankan Civil War|30-year war on the island]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-09-15|title=Yohani: నా మదిలో మంట రేపావురా|url=https://www.sakshi.com/telugu-news/family/yohani-shares-manike-mage-hithe-became-viral-overnight-1395706|access-date=2021-10-02|website=Sakshi|language=te}}</ref> She got 200 million views for a YouTube video "[[Manike Mage Hithe]]" cover song in May 2021.<ref>{{cite web|title=Yohani turns Hot N Spicy with Prima KottuMee – Press Releases {{!}} Daily Mirror|url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/press-releases/Yohani-turns-Hot-N-Spicy-with-Prima-KottuMee/335-183821|access-date=2021-08-10|website=dailymirror.lk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2020-06-15|title=Prima KottuMee's Avurudu Raban Mashup takes on a new level|url=http://bizenglish.adaderana.lk/prima-kottumees-avurudu-raban-mashup-takes-on-a-new-level/|access-date=2021-08-10|website=Adaderana Biz English {{!}} Sri Lanka Business News|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721152754/http://bizenglish.adaderana.lk/prima-kottumees-avurudu-raban-mashup-takes-on-a-new-level/|url-status=live}}</ref> She had also completed her debut [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]] album which features twelve songs and plans{{Update inline|date=November 2022|reason=Was it launched?}} to launch it during a live concert around December 2021.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Desk">{{cite web |editor-last= Vaid |editor-first= Kritika |date=2021-09-27 |title='Manike Mage Hithe' Singer Yohani on Working in Bollywood, India Tour- All You Need to Know |url=https://www.india.com/entertainment/viral-song-manike-mage-hithe-singer-yohani-diloka-working-in-bollywood-india-tour-all-you-need-to-know-4984117/ |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=India News, Breaking News {{!}} India.com|archive-date=21 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721152926/https://www.india.com/entertainment/viral-song-manike-mage-hithe-singer-yohani-diloka-working-in-bollywood-india-tour-all-you-need-to-know-4984117/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Hassin|first1=Shoumik|last2=Saad|first2=Saimum|last3=bdnews24.com|title=Her song tops 100m views on YouTube. But Yohani is ready to do more|url=https://bdnews24.com/music/2021/09/17/her-song-tops-100m-views-on-youtube.-but-yohani-is-ready-to-do-more|access-date=2021-10-02|website=bdnews24.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=bugsbunny|date=2021-09-20|title=Manike Mage Hithe in the global top 10|url=https://colombogazette.com/2021/09/20/manike-mage-hithe-in-the-global-top-10/|access-date=2021-10-02|website=Colombo Gazette|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721152805/https://colombogazette.com/2021/09/20/manike-mage-hithe-in-the-global-top-10/|url-status=live}}</ref>
She performed her debut overseas tour as a music artiste in [[Hyderabad]] in India in October 2021 for a live concert with her band.<ref>{{Cite magazine|author=Tiasa Bhowal|date=6 October 2021|title=Internet sensation Yohani performs Manike Mage Hithe during Hyderabad concert. Viral video|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/internet-sensation-yohani-performs-manike-mage-hithe-during-hyderabad-concert-viral-video-1861330-2021-10-06|access-date=2021-11-18|magazine=India Today|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721152931/https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/internet-sensation-yohani-performs-manike-mage-hithe-during-hyderabad-concert-viral-video-1861330-2021-10-06|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2 October 2021 |title=Fact Check video: Is Yohani the new Cultural envoy between India & Sri Lanka? |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check/video/fact-check-video-is-yohani-the-new-cultural-envoy-between-india-sri-lanka-1859777-2021-10-01 |access-date=2021-11-18 |website=India Today|archive-date=21 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721152827/https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check/video/fact-check-video-is-yohani-the-new-cultural-envoy-between-india-sri-lanka-1859777-2021-10-01 |url-status=live }}</ref> On this tour, she joined two of India's most popular television shows, [[Salman Khan]]'s Bigg Boss 15 and [[Ranveer Singh]]'s Big Picture as a guest. While her cover of the song ''Manike Mage Hithe'' became popular, she released the first single from her first music album, "Kella", which was "Ithin Aadare".
She then lent her voice to the official song of the T20 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2021 and released her first international single "Moving On" in English under the music label Red Bull Records. This made her the only Sri Lankan singer to release a song under Red Bull Records.
During her visit to India, she was honoured with the post of Indo-Ceylon Cultural Ambassador by the Government of India. She then performed "Unmada Prema Geeya" with popular Sri Lankan singers [[Bhathiya and Santhush]] and [[Kaizer Kaiz]]. In December 2021, she participated in the Dubai Expo 2020, later on contributing to the official song of LPL 2021 along with many popular singers of Sri Lanka.
The Tamil-Sinhala song "Rider Fighter" with [[Dinesh Kanagaratnam|ADK]] was released in the same month. In January 2022, she contributed a Tamil song composed by [[Harris Jayaraj]] and the Telugu song "What's happening" in the Telugu film [[Dhamaka (2022 film)|Dhamaka]] composed by [[Bhima Ciceroleo]]. That month, she was called Sri Lankan of the year by LMD magazine.
In February 2022, she contributed to the song "Gajaman Nona" with [[Tehan Perera]] under the direction of [[Sandesh Bandara]]. After that she did a lot of work with the Dubai media and in between she contributed to sing the Hindi version of "Manike Mage Hite". She then released the patriotic song "You Are My Paradise" under the foundation [[So Sri Lanka]]. It contributed to the promotion of the tourism industry in Sri Lanka.
She then attended the Dubai Expo 2020 where she performed the biggest music concert ever held in Dubai Millennium Amphitheater with a huge crowd. A few more concerts were held in Dubai and then in March 2022, she, [[Chamath Sangeeth]], [[Satheeshan]] and [[Dulan ARX]] won the SLIM Award for the most popular song of the year. She also hosted a YouTube concert called Eden with Lunu and in March 2022 she performed at the Yohani Live in Concert in [[Muscat]], [[Oman]].
In April 2022, she joined T-Series, the music label that owns the world's largest YouTube channel. In the face of the severe economic crisis in Sri Lanka that month, she established the "I am for Sri Lanka" foundation and contributed money to the treatment of people who were injured in the freedom struggle in Sri Lanka, and to the lack of medical equipment in the country at that time. She collected 5000 US dollars under that foundation and gave it to [[Red Cross]] organisation to fulfill the related tasks.
Sri Lankans boycotted her saying that her foundation was related to the existing government and therefore she remained silent for several months. After a few months, she was back in the limelight with the Hindi remake of "Manike Mage Hithe", named "Manike".
It became a milestone in Sri Lankan music as it was the first Hindi song to include Sinhala lyrics (of the original song). [[Tanishk Bagchi]] and [[Chamath Sangeeth]] composed the song and [[Rashmi Virag]], [[Dulan ARX]] and [[Mellow D]] penned the lyrics. Along with Yohani, India's popular singer [[Jubin Nautiyal]] & [[Surya Raghunaathan]] featured in the song which is from the Bollywood movie [[Thank God (film)|Thank God]]. It released in October 2022 and features Indian actors [[Siddharth Malhotra]], [[Ajay Devgan]] and [[Rakul Preet Singh]] along with Canadian artiste [[Nora Fatehi]]. The song gained popularity on Indian social media as well.
Her first Indian Song was "Po Po Po", a Tamil song in the film ''The Legend''.
For promoting the movie ''Thank God'', she featured on India's popular entertainment show [[The Kapil Sharma Show]] as a guest on [[Diwali]]. She then left for the [[Maldives]] where she participated in [[Chanaacha]] 2022. Also, she appeared in [[Sampath Bank]]'s WePay advertisement.
On 10 November 2022, she crossed the one million followers mark on her [[Instagram]] account, making her the third Sri Lankan celebrity to reach one million followers, after [[Piyumi Hansamali]] and [[Dinakshi Priyasad]].
In 2023, she contributed her vocals to the remake of the song "Jheda Nasha" which featured Nora Fatehi and Indian actor [[Ayushmann Khurrana]] in the Bollywood film ''[[An Action Hero]]''.
Her third Hindi song and her first non-film Hindi song, "Tu Samane Aaye", was released in November 2022. [[Jubin Nautiyal]] also contributed his vocals to this song.
She then released the song "Chaudhary" in January 2023, also featuring the vocals of popular Rajasthani singer [[Mame Khan]] and Jubin Nautiyal. In February 2023, Don & D Entertainment organized two grand musical concerts of veteran Bollywood singer [[Udit Narayan]] in [[Melbourne]] and [[Sydney]], Australia. Yohani also featured in these concerts. She held two more concerts in [[Kolkata]] and [[Raipur]], India.
Months later, she performed a song in Sinhala titled "Medusa" on 4 March, with new singer Warunah.
She has an upcoming collaboration with [[Guru Randhawa]] and another collaboration with [[Shreya Ghoshal]].
== Discography ==
=== Non-film songs ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Song
!Composer(s)
!Singer
!Writer(s)
!Ref.
|-
| rowspan="5" |2020
|"Merry Christmas Baby"
|Yohani
|Yohani
|Dilanjan Seneviratne
|<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-10-01|title=WATCH : Yohani's first live performance in India|url=https://newsin.asia/watch-yohanis-first-live-performance-in-india/|access-date=2021-10-02|website=NewsIn.Asia|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721152915/https://newsin.asia/watch-yohanis-first-live-performance-in-india/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|"Aaye"
|Yohani
|Yohani
|Dilanjan Seneviratne
|
|-
|"Rawwath Dasin"
|Chanuka Mora
|Yohani
|Chanuka Mora
|
|-
|"Sitha Dawuna"
|Chamath Sangeeth
|Yohani
|Dulan ARX, Hiyum, Dilanjan Seneviratne
|
|-
|"Cold Sunday"
|Yohani
|Yohani
|Yohani
|
|-
| rowspan="6" |2021
|"Haal Massa (Viyole Viyole)"
|Yohani
|Yohani
|Rajiv Sebastian
|
|-
|"[[Manike Mage Hithe]]" (Cover song)
|Chamath Sangeeth
|Yohani, Satheeshan
|Dulan ARX
|<ref name=":1">{{cite web |date=2021-09-10 |title=Meet AAYAT urf Afreen, an IndiGo air hostess who went viral after 'Manike Mage Hithe' dance video |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/viral/report-meet-aayat-urf-afreen-an-indigo-air-hostess-who-went-viral-after-manike-mage-hithe-dance-video-2910533 |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=DNA India|archive-date=21 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721152916/https://www.dnaindia.com/viral/report-meet-aayat-urf-afreen-an-indigo-air-hostess-who-went-viral-after-manike-mage-hithe-dance-video-2910533 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|"Awidan Yanawa"
|Shenal Maddumage
|Yohani, Funky Dirt
|Murshad Huvais
|
|-
|"Ithin Adare"
|Yohani, Harinie Weerasinghe
|Yohani
|Dilanjan Seneviratne
|
|-
|"Moving On"
|Yohani
|Yohani
|Dilanjan Seneviratne
|
|-
|"Unmaada Prema Geeya"
|Chamitha Cooray
|BnS, Yohani & Kaizer Kaiz
|Nilar N Cassim
|
|-
|rowspan=5|2022
|"Rider Fighter"
|K2
|ADK & Yohani
|ADK
|
|-
|"Gajaman Nona" <small>(ගජමන් නෝනා)</small>
|Yohani
| Yohani, Tehan Perera
|Ansaf Ameer
|
|-
|"So Sri Lanka"
|Yohani
|Yohani
|Dilanjan Seneviratne
|
|-
|"Cold Sunday"
|Yohani
|Yohani
|Yohani
|
|-
|"Tu Saamne Aaye"
|Rocky – Jubin
|[[Jubin Nautiyal]] & Yohani
|Rocky Khanna
|
|-
| rowspan = "6"|2023
|"Chaudhary "
|[[Amit Trivedi]]
|Yohani, [[Jubin Nautiyal]] & [[Mame Khan]]
|Shellee
|
|-
| "Medusa"
|
|Yohani & Warunaah
|
|
|-
|"Chunari Mein Daag"
|[[Tony Kakkar]]
|Tony Kakkar, Yohani & [[Ikka Singh]]
|Tony Kakkar
|
|}
=== Film songs ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Film
!Song
!Co-singer(s)
!Writer(s)
!Composer(s)
|-
|2021
|''[[Shiddat]]''
|"Shiddat" (Female)
|
|colspan=2|Manan Bhardwaj
|-
| rowspan="4" |2022
|''[[The Legend (2022 film)|The Legend]]''
| "Po Po Po "
| [[KK (singer)|KK]], [[Jonita Gandhi]], [[Prasad S N]]
|[[Madhan Karky]]
|[[Harris Jayaraj]]
|-
|''[[Thank God (film)|Thank God]]''
|"Manike"
|
[[Jubin Nautiyal]]
|[[Rashmi Virag]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Tanishk Bagchi]]
|-
|''[[An Action Hero]]''
|"Jehda Nasha"
|IP Singh, Amar Jalal, Yohani, Harjot Kaur
|Amar Jalal, Balla Jalal
|-
|[[Dhamaka (2022 film)|''Dhamaka'']]
|"What's Happening" – Yohani Version
|
|[[Saraswati Putra Rama Jogaiah Shastry]]
|[[Bheems Ceciroleo]]
|}
== Controversy ==
Yohani's connection to the Sri Lankan military, particularly as the daughter of former army Major General [[Prasanna De Silva]], who was involved in alleged war crimes and [[Tamil genocide|genocidal]] acts against Tamils during the [[Sri Lankan Civil War]], has sparked controversy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harris Jayaraj deletes Yohani tweet after Tamil genocide backlash! |url=https://www.moviecrow.com/News/29311/harris-jayaraj-deletes-yohani-tweet-after-backlash |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=moviecrow.com |archive-date=21 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721152930/https://www.moviecrow.com/News/29311/harris-jayaraj-deletes-yohani-tweet-after-backlash |url-status=live }}</ref>
Her 2020 song "Rawwath Dasin" depicted her father as a hero who fought against terrorists and united the north and south of the country, despite his involvement in [[War crimes during the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war|war crimes]].
Many activists have condemned the glorification of her father's actions, viewing it as an attempt to whitewash the atrocities committed during the Sri Lankan Civil War through music.<ref>{{Cite web |title=White vans and war crimes – Yohani's Sri Lankan military connection {{!}} Tamil Guardian |url=https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/white-vans-and-war-crimes-yohani-s-sri-lankan-military-connection |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=tamilguardian.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Yohani meets more Sri Lankan war criminals {{!}} Tamil Guardian |url=https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/yohani-meets-more-sri-lankan-war-criminals#:~:text=Yohani%20also%20appeared%20at%20a,the%20execution%20of%20surrendering%20Tamils. |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=tamilguardian.com}}</ref>
Her education at the [[General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University]], a military academy, has further fueled criticism.
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:1993 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Colombo]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan Buddhists]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan women singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan rappers]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan YouTubers]]
[[Category:Alumni of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University]]
[[Category:Central Queensland University alumni]]
[[Category:Bollywood playback singers]]
[[Category:Expatriate musicians in India]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan expatriates in India]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan expatriates in Australia]]
[[Category:21st-century Sri Lankan women singers]]