Wikipedia

Umaria Sinhawansa

Umaria Binthy Ayesha Sinhawansa (Sinhala: උමාරියා සිංහවංශ, born 5 January 1991), popularly referred to by the mononym Umaria, is a Sri Lankan pop, R&B and jazz singer. She is the youngest musician to be ever awarded A-Grade by Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. She has won the 'Kala Keerthi Abhimani' award for her contribution to Sri Lanka's music industry.[2][3] Umaria began her music career at age 11 in the 2005, performing with her sister at various stages. She made her debut as a playback singer in the film Asai Man Piyabanna. And also she has won silver awards at Pan Asia Music International Music Competition and the Crimea Music Fest international competition.[4][5][6]

Umaria Sinhawansa
උමාරියා සිංහවංශ
Born
Umaria Binthy Ayesha Sinhawansa

(1991-01-05) 5 January 1991 (age 33)[1]
Colombo, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationBA in Music
Alma materMuslim Ladies College, Colombo
Gateway International School, Colombo
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
  • performer
Spouse
Dimitri Fonseka
​
(m. 2018)​
RelativesUmara Sinhawansa (sister)
Rukmani Devi (grand aunty)
HonoursKala Keerthi Abimani
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active2005–present
Labels
  • Nilwala
  • MEntertainment
  • wingmanindia
  • pettaheffect
  • exceedentertainment

In 2020, her single "Manda Pama" was a super hit in Sri Lanka and reached 10 million views in a very short time. She was listed among the most viewed female artists on YouTube with 22 million views.[7] And she is the most followed Sri Lanka singer on Instagram. She received "Aya Pranama Award" for her contribution to the music and was awarded the 2021 SLIM-Nielsen Peoples Awards for the song of the year 2021.[8] Umaria won best playback singer award at Sarasaviya film awards in 2019 for the song 'Ahi Pillamak Athara' (ඇහි පිල්ලමක් අතර) in film Vijayaba Kollaya.

Early life and education

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Umaria Sinhawansa was born 5 January 1991, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She is the daughter of Tony Sinhawansa and Ayesha Sinhawansa who were musicians and Umaria was exposed to music early in her life.[9] Umaria studied at Muslim Ladies College and Gateway International school, Colombo, Sri Lanka. She graduated BA Honours degree In Music and She has diploma in Interior Designing and Videography.[10] She has two older brothers, Subandrio, and Hharthono. Hharthono is also a music producer & entrepreneur. Her older sister Umara Sinhawansa is also a musician. Umaria's grandmother Rani Perera, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema. She is also a granddaughter of the late songstress and actress Rukmani Devi.[11][12]

Career

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Beginning

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By age 11, Umaria became serious about pursuing a music career, where she performed with her sister Umara for a large audience and that was her entry into the professional music industry.[13] When she was in school, she learned to sing Arabic. Then she did few songs with Sri Lankan music producer Sri Shyamalangan. She later joined with popular music duo Bathiya and Santhush (BnS) for a song of the Arabic genre which is called Shaheena.[14] After the song, she collaborated with BnS again for the film playback Pathu Pem Pathum for the film Asai Man Piyabanna.[15] The song became a super hit and made her turning point of the career.[16] In 2007, she became the youngest singer to ever be nominated for the Best Female Playback Singer at Sarasaviya Awards. Then she voiced for films, TV commercials, and teledrama theme songs. In 2009, she voiced the theme song for the television serial Gehenu Lamai.[17] Her second song was "Gum Nade" for the movie Rosa Kele and both songs were commercially successful.[18]

In 2010, aged 16, Umaria participated in an International Singing Competition, Pan Asia Music Festival 2010 representing Sri Lanka, which was held in Beijing, China.[19] In the competition, she sang "Hello" by Adele and "Listen" by Beyoncé.[20] She later won the first place from semi-finals and she was able to win Silver medal from the whole competition. Then she was invited again to an international competition, which was in Turkey, where she was the only Asian contestant. In that competition, she won the bronze medal. After the competition, a Swedish record label joined with Umaria for many singles. Later she participated in the Crimea Music Fest in Ukraine with her sister. They both did an original song named My Dreams,[4] and they remade the song, Halo by Beyoncé.[5] Later, they won third palace from that competition.[citation needed] In 2010, Sinhawansa had performed on International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA Awards) with BnS.[21] She also shared the same stage with Indian musicians, Asha Bhosle[22] and Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy. In 2018, Umaria got honoured by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the song Vaishnav Jana to, a musical tribute to Mahatma Gandhi's 150th Birth Anniversary.[23][24]

Success

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After winning many international competitions, she was back in Sri Lanka, where she joined with the Ashanthi School of Music conducted by Ashanthi De Alwis. During this period, she featured with Randhir Witana for the song, Mal Madahasa.[25] In 2014 she featured with Devashrie de Silva for the song, Nidahase Inna[26] and many BnS collaborations such as Kavikariye, Baila Gamuda Remix Karala, Hinipeththata, Hitha Wawannema Na etc.[27] In 2013, she performed on 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2013) opening ceremony.[28] In the meantime, she made a duet with prominent musician W. D. Amaradeva, few years before his demise.[29]

In 2015, Umariya made her first original hit, Denuwan Piya.[30] It was produced by BnS and the song was commercially successful. Meanwhile, she became a judge for the singing reality show, Sirasa Superstar.[31] Then she joined with celebrity reality show "Hiru Mega Stars" for the team "Sooryans" along with Yureni Noshika, Himali Sayurangi, Asanka Perera, Pathum Rukshan, Piyumi Botheju and Akila Dhanuddara.[32][33] In 2017, she joined with the reality program "Youth with Talent – Generation Next" as a guest judge.[34] In 2018, she released a single, Malak Nowe,[35] and then featured with Ruwan Hettiarachchi for the song Hiru Mal Kiniththak Dara.[36] In the same year, she made playback singing for the film Bimba Devi alias Yashodhara.[37] After that song, she became an A-Grade singer at Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. She is the youngest to achieve the feat. Then she collaborated with BnS for the album Oba Nisa and toured for the Oba Nisa concert.[38][39]

In 2019, she made playback singing for the blockbuster Vijayaba Kollaya, directed by Sunil Ariyaratne.[40] In the same year, she premiered her single, Rangume [41] on 9 August. On 11 December 2019, she collaborated with BnS and Sanuka Wickramasinghe for the song Saragi Asille.[42] During the pandemic, she performed the first Driving Concert in Sri Lanka.[43] On 3 July 2020, she released the solo "Manda Pama"[7] which was recorded in France. The song reached 2 million views within first two days and later 10 million views on YouTube. The song also ranked number 1# in iTunes and Apple Music in Sri Lanka as well as received international recognition. In November 2020, she joined the coaching panel of the reality show "The Voice Sri Lanka".Umaria is also known for her role as a coach on the televised singing competition The Voice Sri Lanka and She is the winning coach of the season 2021 [44] In the meantime, on 4 February 2021, she released her next single Yuda Gini Dumaraya as a tribute to war heroes.[45] While working on "The Voice Sri Lanka" competition, she released the song Rathu Eli.[46] She also made cameo appearances in the films Dancing Stars and Spandana.

Television Shows

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Year Title Channel Language Role
2015–16 Sirasa Superstar (Season 7) Sirasa TV Sinhala Judge – Herself
2020–21 The Voice Sri Lanka (Season 1) Sirasa TV Sinhala Coach – Herself
2022–23 The Voice Sri Lanka (Season 2) Sirasa TV Sinhala Coach – Herself

Artistry and musical influences

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Umaria is a light lyric soprano possessing a four-octave vocal range and a whistle register She has mainly been described as a pop, R&B and jazz singer. Her major Musical influences are her mother and sister.They always encouraged her to sing. And Umaria has cited Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson as her main musical influences.

Discography

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Originals

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Solo Tracks
No.TitleLength
1.""Denuwan Piya"" (Solo Track Version)03.55
2.""Kumuduniya"" (Solo Track Version)04.00
3.""Sandak Lesin Paya"" (Solo Track Version)04:30
4.""Araliya"" (Solo Track Version)04.27
5.""Malak Nowe"" (Solo Track Version)03.37
6.""Rangume"" (Solo Track Version)03.37
7."Manda Pama" (Solo Track Version)03.37
8."Ayachana" (Solo Track Version)04.36
9.""Yuda Gini Dumaraya"" (Solo Track Version)03.58
10.""Rathu Eli"" (Solo Track Version)04.08
11.""NAANE"" (Solo Track Version)02.05
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Name Video Director Year
Manda Pama Hasinth Pathirana 2020
Rangume Chamil Pathirana 2019
Naane Hasinth Pathirana 2022

Collaborations

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Year Song Collaboration Ref.
2009 Shaheena Bathiya and Santhush
2009 Ra Pura Payana Tharuka Bathiya and Santhush
2010 Baila Gamuda Remix Karala Bathiya and Santhush
2010 Wassanayata Atha Wanala Umara Sinhawansa
2010 Sithale Tharu Dilena Madiyame Many artists
2012 Kavikariye Bathiya and Santhush
2013 Mal Madahasa Pidena Randhir Witana, Bathiya and Santhush
2013 Meena Daasa Asha Many artists
2013 Sthuthi Sri Lanka Many artists
2014 Nidahase Inna Devashrie de Silva
2014 Sihine Dushyanth Weeraman
2014 Lassana Dasak Bathiya and Santhush, Randhir Witana
2015 Seethala Sulaga Sunil Perera, Devashirie de Silva, Samitha Mudunkotuwa, Billy Fernando
2015 Denimak Wage Dewshan Perera
2015 Hanthana Sihine Pandith W. D. Amaradeva
2015 Senehe Ammage Shihan Mihiranga, Nirosha Virajini, Kasun Kalhara
2018 Vaishnav Jana To Bathiya and Santhush
2018 Hiru Mal Kiniththak Ruwan Hettiarachchi
2019 Ma Obei Dan Nalin Perera
2019 Mathakai Eda Billy Fernando
2019 Saragi Asille Bathiya and Santhush, Sanuka wickramasinghe
2020 Nim Him Sewwa (cover song) Bathiya and Santhush, Sashika Nisansala, Kasun Kalhara
2021 Me Kirula Amarasiri Peiris
2021 T20 Cricket World Cup Song various Artists
2021 4 Nations International Tournament Theme Song Sri Lanka Football ft. BNS, Randeer & Roy
2021 Ekwa Jayagamu Lanka Premier League 2021 Official Theme Song Bathiya and Santhush, Yohani, ADK, Sanka Dineth, Sajitha Anthony

Playback singing

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Year Film Songs Ref.
2007 Asai Man Piyabanna Pethu Pem Pethum
2008 Rosa Kale Gum Nade
2008 Adaraye Namayen Feel My love
2009 Dancing Star Sinaha Ko
2015 Pravegaya Sihilel Wu
2015 Spandana Man Vinda, Oya Muwe Hasaral
2018 Sarungal Thanivee
2018 Bimba Devi alias Yashodhara Thurul Karan
2018 Ginnen Upan Seethala Ane Ganadura
2019 Vijayaba Kollaya Ahi Pillamak Athara

Awards and nominations

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Year Work Festival Award Result
2007 Pethu Pem Pethum Sarasaviya Awards Best Playback Singer Nominated
2008 Gum Nade Sarasaviya Awards Best Playback Singer Nominated
2010 International Music Competition Asia Song Festival Silver Award Won
2010 cover song Listen by Beyonce Asia Song Festival Best Solo Performance Won
2010 International Music Competition Izmir Turkey Bronze award at the original song contest Won
2011 International Music Competition Asian Youth Singing competition China Silver Award Won
2011 My Dreams- Original Crimea Music Fest Bronze Award Won
2016 Lassana Dasak Derana Music Video Awards Best Music Video Won
2016 Reality competition Hiru Mega Stars Champion Of The Competition Won
2020 Contribution To The Country Kala Keerthi Abhimani Appreciative Award Won
2020 contribution to the music TV Derana Aya Pranama Best Woman In Singing Category Won
2021 Manda Pama SLIM-Nielsen Peoples Awards Song Of The Year Won
2021 Contribution To The Country Vanithabimani Appreciative Award Won
2023 Ane Ganadura 20th Presidential Awards Best Playback Singer Woman Award 2019 Won
2024 Ahi Pillamak Athara 35th Sarasaviya Awards Best Playback Singer Woman Award 2019 Won

Milestones

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Other ventures

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Philanthropy and activism

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On May 14, 2020, Umaria was involved in a Sri Lankan Government effort to promote COVID-19 Prevention among people in Sri Lanka. She sang the song, Itukama to educate the people how COVID-19 prevention works in Sri Lanka.[52] And she performed with BnS in many apartment complexes following health safety measures, to make people mentally fit during the lockdown with the help of Sri Lankan Government.[53]

She has opened up a social media page, called one promise to talk to people who are struggling with depression and other mental issues.[54]

Brand ambassadorships and endorsements

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2015, Umaria signed up for SLTMobitel and voiced many songs promoting this networking brand.[55] In 2018, she signed up as brand ambassador for Signal toothpaste and she voiced their brand's theme song, Sina Bo Wewa.[56] Meantime she was a brand ambassador of Sunlight (cleaning product) and She voiced the song Manu dam Viyamana with various artists.[57]

In 2020 Beauty Brand, British Cosmetic sponsored her song, Manda Pama.After the huge success of the song, on 21 November 2020, they announced Umaria as their new, main brand ambassador.[58] She mainly endorses the product Discover the Power of Gold - Prevense Advanced Gold Therapy and many of British cosmetics.[59] After she was named as a brand ambassador with others for the food and drink brand, Nestlé Sri Lanka's Nestamolt campaign. In the meantime, they released an advertisement showcasing a campaign between the company and Umaria with some of the proceeds going to "organizations that seek to improve people's health as well as mental and emotional well-being.[60] Dialog Axiata signed Umaria as their brand ambassador, for Dialog Fun Blaster campaign and they collaborated with her song Manda Pama.[61] On Mar 12, 2021, the phone brand Oppo announced Umaria as their brand ambassador,[62] she is currently endorsing the OPPO F19 Pro.[63]

References

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  1. ^ Birthday, archived from the original on 2021-09-04, retrieved 2021-01-15
  2. ^ "Umaria Sinhawansa - So today I received the honorary title "කලා කීර්ති අභිමාණි" from the All Ceylon cultural and environmental protecting organization. Thankyou for this honor ❤️ | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
  3. ^ Staff Writer (2020-01-19). "Umaria receives 'Kala Keethi Abhimani' title". NewsHub. Archived from the original on 2021-09-04. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
  4. ^ a b Umara & Umaria - My Dreams ( Original Song ), retrieved 2021-09-28
  5. ^ a b Umara & Umaria - Halo, retrieved 2021-09-28
  6. ^ Umaria Sinhawansa - Semi-final - Pan Asia Music Festival 2010 - Beijing, retrieved 2021-09-28
  7. ^ a b Manda Pama - Umaria | මන්ද පමා - උමාරියා, retrieved 2021-09-28
  8. ^ a b "News : Umaria Bags Song Of The Year Award As SLIM". Decibel. 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  9. ^ Gunaratne, Rochelle (2019-05-31). "Sensational Sisters: Umara and Umaria!". ChelleShock.org. Archived from the original on 2021-09-04. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  10. ^ a b "Umariya Sinhawansa – Jazz Unlimited". Archived from the original on 2021-09-04. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  11. ^ "See What Umaria Sinhawansa did after her Marriage | Umaria Hot Gossips". Star Friends. 2018-12-06. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  12. ^ a b ""I am not Sinhalese. We are all Sri Lankans"- Umariya Sinhawansa - Hiru Gossip English Edition". gossip.hirufm.lk. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  13. ^ Daniel, Smriti (2013-05-10). "Umaria: "I want to be known for the music I do."". Smriti Daniel. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  14. ^ Shaheena (2009), retrieved 2021-09-28
  15. ^ pathu pem pathum - Bathiya, retrieved 2021-09-28
  16. ^ Jayawardane, Ishara. "Of pain and pleasure". Daily News. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
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  18. ^ "Umaria Sinhawansa". IMDb. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  19. ^ Umaria Sinhawansa - Semi-final - Pan Asia Music Festival 2010 - Beijing, retrieved 2021-09-28
  20. ^ Listen - by Umaria from Sri Lanka (Pan Asia Music Festival 2010), Beijing, retrieved 2021-09-28
  21. ^ IIFA Awards Sri Lanka 2010 Part 1, retrieved 2021-09-28
  22. ^ Asha Bhosle Live with Bathiya & Santhush (Pathu Pem Pathum), retrieved 2021-09-28
  23. ^ "Bathiya and Santhush (BNS)... - Bathiya and Santhush (BNS)". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  24. ^ "Bathiya and Santhush (BNS)... - Bathiya and Santhush (BNS)". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  25. ^ Mal Madahasa (මල් මදහාස) - Randhir ft Bathiya & Umaria Official Music Video, retrieved 2021-09-28
  26. ^ Nidahase Inna - Umaria & Devashrie, retrieved 2021-09-28
  27. ^ "Umaria Sinhawansa". Star Friends. 2018-05-14. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  28. ^ Sthuthi Sri Lanka, retrieved 2021-09-28
  29. ^ Hanthana Sihine - W. D. Amaradeva ft Umaria New Sinhala Song, retrieved 2021-09-28
  30. ^ Denuwan Piya - Umariya [www.hirutv.lk], retrieved 2021-09-28
  31. ^ Superstar Sirasa TV 13th December 2015, retrieved 2021-09-28
  32. ^ "Hiru Mega Stars - Team Profile - Team Sooryans - සූර්යන්ස් - Hiru Mega Stars - මහා සුපිරි තරු සංග්‍රාමය | Hiru TV Hiru Mega Stars | Reality Show | Hiru Reality Show - A Rayynor Silva Holdings Company". hirumegastars.hirutv.lk. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  33. ^ "Hiru Mega Stars - Umaria Sinhawansa Artist Profile - Team Sooryans - Hiru Mega Stars - මහා සුපිරි තරු සංග්‍රාමය | Hiru TV Hiru Mega Stars | Reality Show | Hiru Reality Show - A Rayynor Silva Holdings Company". hirumegastars.hirutv.lk. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  34. ^ Youth With Talent - Generation Next - Episode (08) - (10-28-2017), retrieved 2021-09-28
  35. ^ UMARIA - Malak Nowei (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO), retrieved 2021-09-28
  36. ^ Hiru Mal (හිරු මල්) - Ruwan Hettiarachchi ft Umaria, retrieved 2021-09-28
  37. ^ Thurulu Karan - Umaria Sinhawansa, retrieved 2021-09-28
  38. ^ Neththara - Kasthuri Suwandaki (Live) - Bathiya & Santhush with Umaria, retrieved 2021-09-28
  39. ^ Oba Nisa (ඔබ නිසා) Concert After Movie (Australasia & North America Tours), retrieved 2021-09-28
  40. ^ Ahi Pillamak Athara (ඇහි පිල්ලමක් අතර) - Vijayaba Kollaya OST | Umaria Sinhawansa, retrieved 2021-09-28
  41. ^ Umaria - Rangume | උමාරියා - රැඟුමේ (Official Music Video), retrieved 2021-09-28
  42. ^ Saragi Asille (සරාගී ඇසිල්ලේ) - Bathiya & Santhush (BNS), UMARIA, SANUKA (Official Music Video), retrieved 2021-09-28
  43. ^ "BnS Drive-In concert with Dialog" - "සරාගී ඇසිල්ලේ" - Dialog Youth Song performance, retrieved 2021-09-28
  44. ^ The Voice Coaches Are Ready #TheVoiceSL, retrieved 2021-09-28
  45. ^ යුධ ගිණි දුමාරය - උමාරියා | Yuda Gini Dumaraya - UMARIA, retrieved 2021-09-28
  46. ^ Rathu Eli - Umaria | රතු එලි - උමාරියා, retrieved 2021-09-28
  47. ^ Staff Writer (2019-09-06). "Umaria, the youngest singer to be given A grade by SLBC". NewsHub. Archived from the original on 2021-09-04. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  48. ^ a b c d Fazmina Samat (13 Sep 2019). "Umaria Sinhawansa". Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Retrieved 2023-04-07 – via PressReader.
  49. ^ Staff Writer (2020-01-19). "Umaria receives 'Kala Keerthi Abhimani'title". NewsHub. Archived from the original on 2021-09-04. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  50. ^ "Vanithabhimana 2020 : Pushpa Ramyani Most Popular Sri Lankan Woman". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2021-03-08. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  51. ^ Umaria Sinhawansa - Most Popular Sri Lankan woman at the Grand Finale of Vanithabhimana 2021, retrieved 2022-03-18
  52. ^ ඉටුකම | Itukama | Bathiya & Santhush (BNS) | Umaria Sinhawansa, retrieved 2021-09-28
  53. ^ BNS along with Sri Lanka Army entertains public who are lockdown in an Apartment, retrieved 2021-09-28
  54. ^ "Login • Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2021-09-28. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  55. ^ Mobitel Children's Day 2015 Theme Song | Umariya, retrieved 2021-09-28
  56. ^ Signal Sina Bo Wewa 2018, retrieved 2021-09-28
  57. ^ Sunlight Manudam Viyamana Song, retrieved 2021-09-28
  58. ^ Umaria - The 'New Face of British Cosmetics'✨, retrieved 2021-09-28
  59. ^ Discover the Power of Gold - Prevense Advanced Gold Therapy featuring Umaria ✨, retrieved 2021-09-28
  60. ^ Umaria Sinhawansa, retrieved 2021-09-28
  61. ^ Dialog Fun Blaster has now got Instagram! Enjoy Facebook, WhatsApp & Instagram without Data charges, retrieved 2021-09-28
  62. ^ Brand Ambassador | Umaria Sinhawansa, retrieved 2021-09-28
  63. ^ OPPO F19 Pro | Umaria Sinhawansa, retrieved 2021-09-28
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