REMEMBERING SIRIMA

Sirima who, you may ask unless you are Jean-Jacques Goldman fan. Here is her tragic story in a few words:

Sirima was born in the United Kingdom of French mother and Sri Lankan father on Valentine's Day 1964. At 18 she moved to France and started singing in the Paris metro stations, usually Gare de Châtelet - Les Halles. A few year's later Philippe Delettrez, who played in Jean-Jacques Goldman's band noted her. He also knew Goldman was looking for a female duet for his song Là-bas. He recorded her voice and took it to Goldman who got interested and went to see her in the metro Barbès. He was impressed and wanted her as her duo partner. The song become a huge success (#2 for five weeks and nearly 600.000 copies sold). Sirima was living at the time with Kahatra Sasorith , an unsuccessful musician. He became jealous for her success and killed her with kitchen knife on December 7, 1989. he was about to release her debut album A part of me. Sasorith did four years of prison and was expelled from France but is back living there today.

Cèline Dion and Natasha St-Pier among others have covered the song but in my book Sirima remains the best.

Comments

Anonymous said…

I have known Sirima personally. I first met her on the underground, Chatelet. I was a student at Paris Val-de-Marne. Everyday I would come and see her sing and as soon as I would arrive, she would sing, " Imagine" by John Lennon for me. She was like a little sister. I used to bring her Darjeeling tea, curry powder etc from UK. We would always sit and drink tea or coffee together before I would go home. When people would approach her trying to leave her their business card and so on, she would send them to me saying that I was her manager. I loved and appreciate her so much. I was so saddened to learn of the way she died. I knew she had passed away cause my cousin told me. I went to live in UK in 1987, so I lost touch with her. I found out only today that she was killed and that she has a son. If ever Kym reads this, " your mum was such a beautiful person with a great heart. She touched my life in many ways. I will never or get her and will always remember her with love." Take care. XXX

21:38

Anonymous said…

Sirima was a beautiful singer - her whole family are wonderful people. Her mother, Aunty Edith, is raising Kym. I knew her before she went to Paris, I knew her family very well. I wish them nothing but peace and love, and Sirima - I hope she attained nirvana.

17:47

bintou_09 said…

To my unborn child! I’m 8months pregnant and I have love the featuring “la-bas” with Jacques Goldman so much that I wanted to know this young beautiful lady until I found out of her passing and the tragic story of it! I’m forever in love with that song and as I met my Prince Charming. We married and are expecting our little girl who going to be named after Sirima. There’s a story behind that. After knowing about her and the name Is not far from a word in my African tribal Language Sirima meaning attachment, togetherness (just like the way me and hubby are) the central aspect of our love. You see, we are from two different world both Africans but completely different culturally and religiously and we met in NYC and with all the challenges and obstacles from our background, we are able to finally be together in the eyes of our families respective of their views for our union. We are able And ready to welcome our blood and flesh into this world and that is such a wonderful feeling. Plus the name is truly unique so I’m forever grateful to God for knowing this Sirima and for the love of life. Thank you

Ps. Prayer for a healthy baby Sirima, due July 16th 2020

03:48

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