Tharupathi Munasinghe
Born (1975-09-03) 3 September 1975
Borella, Western province (now Melbourne), Australia
Other namesTisara, Munasinghe Arachchi Lekalmlage
Citizenship
Education
  • PhD
  • Master of Sound Design (by reseach)
  • Master of Drama & Theatre
  • BA
Alma mater
Occupations
Years active1998–present
Spouse
  • Gayani Gisanthika
Children
  • Mayon Movindu Munasinghe
  • MithunSahas Munasinghe
Parents
  • Austin Munasinghe
  • Sepalini Achirevathie Yalegama
Relatives
  • Swethekie Niranjala Munasinghe (Sister)

Tharupathi Munasinghe, a renowned Sri Lankan composer, music director, sound ethnographer, researcher, and academic, has made significant contributions across various artistic and academic domains.[1]

His illustrious career encompasses a wide range of artistic endeavours, including contributions to cinema, stage plays, and television series. His compositions primarily draw inspiration from Sri Lankan culture and traditions, reflecting a strong connection to his roots. Tharupathi Munasinghe has worked as a composer for films such as Saho [2](2023), Wala Patala[3] (2007), Dedunu Wessa (2005), Amawaka (Penumbra), and Machan (2006). He has also composed music for popular Sri Lankan television series like Angali Salakuna and numerous stage plays, including Maha Supina.[4] Over the years, Dr. Tharupathi Munasinghe has received several awards for his work in music and sound design.[5][6]

Beyond his artistic pursuits, Tharupathi Munasinghe is a distinguished academic; he completed his PhD in Anthropology, and the research focused on exploring the performance and life experiences of traditional low-country drummers in Sri Lanka.. His academic focus lies in the fields of sound ethnography[7], sound studies, and ethnomusicology[1], showcasing his commitment to both the practical and theoretical aspects of sound and music.

Early years

Tharupathi's father, Austin Munasinghe,[8] is a veteran composer. Thus, he was exposed to music from an early age, which played a vital role in Tharupathi's musical development.[9] He experienced composition and orchestration in music, joining his father's orchestra. Further, he participated in various music competitions and sought formal musical education.[10]

Education and musical influences

Tharupathi's family stemmed from music. His father, the Sri Lankan music composer Austin Munasinghe, and his mother, Achirawathie Yalagama, a dedicated music teacher, played pivotal roles in his career.[11]

In 1996, Tharupathi became a member of Professor Sarachchandra's theater group. He played roles as a chorus member and music conductor in various productions like 'Maname,' 'Sinhabahu,' 'Mahasara,' and 'Rathnawalee,' .[12]

He continued in his journey, winning the best music award for Arundathi at the State Drama Festival in 2000, organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.[13] Tharupathi's achievements extended to the Youth Theatre Festival in 1999, winning the best music award for the same play, Arundathi. He was recognised for his music-directing talent at "Dhammarathna Hari Narakayi."[6]

Career

Music composition and direction

Tharupathi Munasinghe had composed and directed music across various entertainment platforms, including theater, cinema, and television.[1]

In the realm of cinema, Tharupathi has composed musical scores for several films. His work includes compositions for films such as Wala Patala, Machan, and Sikuru Hathe.[3]

Tharupathi's influence extends to television, too. Some of his well-recognized works in television include Sakisanda Eliyas, Sabanda Pubilis, Depath Nai, and Isuru Yogaya, among others.[14]

Sound design and academic pursuits

Tharupathi Munasinghe has contributed to sound design, particularly in the fields of cinema and theater.[15]

He had served as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Kelaniya. He had completed his Ph.D. at Deakin University, Australia, under the guidance of Professor Rohan Bastin.[16] His Ph.D. research was focused on the Sri Lankan low-country drum and its role in diverse performing contexts.[12]

Research and publications

Tharupathi Munasinghe's research encompasses diverse areas within music, sound studies, and ethnomusicology. His primary focus is on low-country drumming in Sri Lanka and its cultural significance. Additionally, he investigates the application of sound design in cinema and its impact on storytelling in visual media.[17][12][18]

His research primarily covers two main areas:

1. Sound Design: The evolving trends in sound design and its impact on enhancing storytelling in visual media.. His research highlights how sound design can create immersive experiences for viewers, making narratives more engaging.[1][17]

2. Ethnomusicology: Conducts investigations into the memories and experiences of Sri Lankan migrants in Melbourne, with a specific focus on how music serves as a bridge between cultures and generations.[18]

Tharupathi Munasinghe's research findings have been published in peer-reviewed journals. Some of his publications include:

  • New Paradigms in Sound Design: an Effective Medium for Storytelling in Visual Media (2017): Published in "Prabha," Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya.[19] This paper discusses the changing landscape of sound design in visual media and its potential as a potent storytelling tool.
  • Audio Design: Creating Multi-Sensory Images for the Mind (2016): Published in "Roopavahini Sameeksha." This work explores the creation of sensory-rich experiences through audio design, offering insights into its artistic and emotional impact.[20]
  • Aural Mementoes: Memories of Sri Lankan Migrants in Melbourne (2016): Published in the "Journal of Aesthetics and Fine Arts." Tharupathi's research in this paper explores how music acts as a vessel for memories and cultural connections among Sri Lankan migrants in Melbourne.[21]

Family

Tharupathi Munasinghe is married to Gayani Gisanthika,[22] an actress. They have two sons.

Achievements and awards

Year Work/Production Award/Achievement
2021 Shabdika Cinamawa (Sound Design in Cinema - Theory and Practice) Best publication - State Literary Award (Film and Television), State Literary Festival, Sri Lanka .
2020 Sulanga Maha Meraka[23] Best Music Director - Raigam Tele's Award
2014 Cultural Exchange (Various contributions to music) 'BUNKA' Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Award - Recognized for promoting cultural exchange between Japan and Sri Lanka.[24]
2007 Isuru Yogaya Best Music Director - State Tele Festival, Sri Lanka
2001 Evaluation of Sinhala Drama History 1956-1974 Best Published Book (Third place), National Youth Festival, Sri Lanka
2000 Arundathi Best Music Director - State Drama Festival, Sri Lanka
1999 Arundathi Best Music Director - National Youth Festival, Sri Lanka
1998 National Youth Festival Best Music Director - National Youth Festival, Sri Lanka
1998 Sayonara Best Music Director (Merit Award) - State Drama Festival, Sri Lanka
1996 Hudakala Wu Gihiya Best Music Director - National Youth Festival, Sri Lanka
1993 Vatuwatha Best Music Director, Best Direction, Best Costume Design - National Inter School Drama Festival, Sri Lanka
1982 Dethi Kiyatha Merit Award for acting - State Drama Festival, Sri Lanka

Discography

Movies
Year Role Title Director/Key Person Involved
2022 Sound Designer Memories That Make Us[25] Martin Potter
2018 Composer The Invisible Moon (Amawaka) Vijitha Gunaratna
2017 Sound Designer Ice Cream Pradeep Dharmadasa
2012 Sound Designer Get Ready Gayani Gisanthika
2007 Composer Penumbra (Wala Patala)[15] Vijitha Gunaratna
2007 Composer Machan Uberto Pasolini
2006 Composer Sikuru Hathe[26] Giriraj Kaushalya
2005 Composer Dedunu Wessa[27] Buddhika Jayaratne

Books

  • Munasinghe, Tharupathi. (2020). "Sound in Cinema (Shabdika Cinemawa - ශාබ්දික සිනමාව)." Sarasavi Publishers. ISBN 978-955-2046-5 (Sinhalese Medium).[28]
  • Munasinghe, Tharupathi. (2018). "Trends in Sinhalese Theatre Music 1956-1996." - සිංහල නාට්‍ය සංගීතයේ ප්‍රවණතා 1956-1996, Sarasavi Publishers. ISBN 979-0-710009-06-6 (Sinhala Medium).[29]
  • Munasinghe, Tharupathi. (2017). "Discussions on Sound (Nada sankathana - නාද සංකථන - Sinhala Medium)." ISBN 978-955-38486-0-4.[30]
  • Munasinghe, Tharupathi. (2017). "Sound Studies: With Special Reference to Sri Lankan Sonic Experience." Bloomberg Publishing, Australia. ISBN 978-955-38486-1-1 (Sinhala Medium).
  • Munasinghe, Tharupathi. (2016). "The Birthday Party (Godura) Translation." Bloomberg Publishing, Australia. Drama. ISBN 978-955-44850-9-9 (Sinhala Medium).
  • Munasinghe, Tharupathi. (2013). "Party Time (Sadaya) සාදය, Translation." FAST Publishing Private Limited, Sri Lanka. Drama. ISBN 978-955-448- 508-2 (Sinhala Medium).
  • Munasinghe, Tharupathi. (2000). "The Evolution of Sinhala Theatre Music, 1956 - 1974." සිංහල නාට්‍ය සංගීතයේ විකාසය 1956-1974, FAST Publishing Private Limited, Sri Lanka. ISBN 978-955-677-001-08 (Two editions published in 2000 and 2010).

Non-Traditional Research Outputs (NTROs)

Teleseries

Year Title Director Role
1998 2005 Gaya Ramya Alwis Composer
1999 Miringu Thera Gaya Ramya Alwis Composer
1999 Randunu Gaya Ramya Alwis Composer
1999 Kulawamiya Premakumara Jayawardanaa Composer
2000 Sathmalagiravi Sanath Abeysekara Composer
2001 Sakvalihini Eranga Senaratna Composer
2001 Rathriya Sumith Kumara Composer
2002 Ranthali Aruna Lokuliyana Composer
2002 Sakisanda Eliyes Joe Abeywickrama Composer
2002 Depath Nai Eranga Senaratna Composer
2003 Sbanda Pabilis Joe Abeywickrama Composer
2003 Dhvili Maliga Gaya Ramya Alwis Composer
2003 Sara Sudath Devapriya Composer
2003 Viya Sidura Anurudda Jayasinghe Composer
2003 Rathi Virathi Indika Udugampola Composer
2000 Anthima Navathena Santhusa Liyanage Composer
2004 Raja Warama Sumith Kumara Composer
2004 Abuddassa Kale Joe Abeywickrama Composer
2004 Seri Vanija Jayantha Chandrasiri Composer
2004 Isuru Yogaya Susuiran de Silva Composer
2004 Naana Kaamare G.Sivegurunathen Composer
2004 Warna Gaya Ramya Composer
2006 Wala Kulu Ajith Lokuge Composer
2006 Night Learners Kelum Palitha Composer
2006 Pabelu Muhuda D.G.Somapala Composer
2006 6th Lane D.G.Somapala Composer
2006 Kumarayek Evith Giya C. Mapitigama Composer
2006 Anuhas Vijitheya Sanath Abeysekara Composer
2006 Kota Uda Mandira Kelum Palitha Composer
2007 Rathriya Wee Sanjaya Nirmal Composer
2014 Anguru Sittham G. Shivagurunathan Composer
2018 Sulanga maha meraka Sudath Devapriya Composer

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Tharupathi launches books on sound studies". The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  2. ↑ Athugala, Ariyaratne (2023-04-07), Saho (Drama, Romance), Dasun Pathirana, Dinara Punchihewa, Biyanka Amarasinghe, retrieved 2023-12-07
  3. 1 2 "Walapatala - වලාපටල - Sinhala Cinema Database". www.films.lk. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  4. ↑ "The inaugural performance of "Maha Supina" at the University of Kelaniya". ss.kln.ac.lk. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  5. ↑ "Award winning back again | The Sunday Times Sri Lanka". Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  6. 1 2 "|| Features". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  7. ↑ "Sound Ethnography". obo. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
  8. ↑ "ඔස්‌ටින් මුණසිංහ නිර්මාණ මියැසි රස ගුලාව ................. 02". geemuthumala.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  9. ↑ "Sarasaviya Epaper". epaper.sarasaviya.lk. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  10. ↑ "ඔස්‌ටින් මුණසිංහ නිර්මාණ මියැසි රස ගුලාව ................. 03". geemuthumala.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  11. ↑ abhisheka (2017-12-31). "නැවුම්ය අද ද එදා ඔහු පෑ සත්සර පෙළහර ඔස්‌ටින් මුණසිංහ". mirrorarts.lk. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  12. 1 2 3 "Sarasaviya Epaper". epaper.sarasaviya.lk. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  13. ↑ "එදාට වඩා වෙනස් එහෙත් වඩා දැනුවත්". archives.sarasaviya.lk. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  14. ↑ "Lack of musical refinement hits Sinhala cinema- Tharupathi Munasinghe". Sunday Observer. 2020-10-03. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  15. 1 2 "The Sunday Times Sri Lanka". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  16. ↑ "Rohan Bastin". www.deakin.edu.au. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  17. 1 2 මුණසිංහ, තරුපති (2017). නාද සංකථන: නාදය සහ සංගීතය පිලිබඳ පර්යේෂණ ලිපි සංග්‍රහය. Nugegoda: Sarasavi. ISBN 978-955-38486-0-4.
  18. 1 2 "ICTM Study Group on Music and Allied Arts of Greater South Asia | International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance". ictmusic.org. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  19. ↑ "'Prabha'". repository.kln.ac.lk. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  20. ↑ Munasinghe, Dr Tharupathi. "New paradigms in Sound Design: as an effective medium for Story telling in visual media". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  21. ↑ Munasinghe, T. (2016). "Aural mementoes: memories of Sri Lankan migrants in Melbourne". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  22. ↑ "Topcount". www.topcount.co. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  23. ↑ "Sudath returns with 'Sulanga Mahameraka'". The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  24. ↑ Japan, Embassy of. FIVE SRI LANKAN ARTISTS HONOURED WITH BUNKA (CULTURAL) AWARDS (PDF) https://www.lk.emb-japan.go.jp/files/000080716.pdf. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ↑ "Memories That Make Us". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  26. ↑ "'Sikuru Hathe' ready for release in August". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  27. ↑ "TV Times". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  28. ↑ www.sarasavi.lk https://www.sarasavi.lk/product/shabdika-cinamawa---hc-9553120814. Retrieved 2023-12-06. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  29. ↑ www.sarasavi.lk https://www.sarasavi.lk/product/sinhala-natya-sangeethaye-prawanatha-1956-1996-9790710009066. Retrieved 2023-12-06. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  30. ↑ www.sarasavi.lk https://www.sarasavi.lk/product/nada-sankathana-9553848605. Retrieved 2023-12-06. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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