Dr. W. M. H. G. U. Indika Tikiri Bandara Weerakoon

Dr. Indika Tikiri Bandara Weerakoon is a distinguished academic, researcher, and artist specializing in Sri Lankan traditional arts, particularly drumming, Kandyan dance, and Sabaragamuwa dance and drumming. He holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts degree (2008) and is notably the first graduate to achieve First Class Honors from the Department of Instrumental Music at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Sri Lanka. He further earned his Master of Performing Arts degree (2017) from the same university. Dr. Indika Tikiri Bandara Weerakoon has successfully completed his PhD (2024) at Manipur University, India.

Currently, Dr Indika Tikiri Bandara Weerakoon is actively engaged in research on topics such as the socio-cultural impact of traditional drumming and dance, the role of Sri Lankan percussion in communication, and the educational benefits of performing arts in schools. His work also includes comparative studies of traditional instruments and an exploration of their scientific and cultural dimensions.

In addition to his academic contributions, Dr. Indika Tikiri Bandara Weerakoon actively participates in national and international programs as both an artist and an academician. As a lecturer in the Department of Instrumental Music at the Faculty of Dance and Drama, University of Visual and Performing Arts, he inspires students to innovate and conduct research, exploring diverse cultural and philosophical perspectives in music and dance.

Dr. Indika Tikiri Bandara Weerakoon’s commitment to preserving traditional performing arts while promoting their global relevance highlights his significant impact on the academic and cultural landscapes.

Research Interests:

• Cultural Anthropology
• Performance Aesthetics
• Ritualistic Dance and Drumming Traditions
• Gender and Identity in Dance
• Community Engagement through Dance
• Dance Pedagogy and Education

Publications:

Peer Reviewed and Referred Journal

• A Study on the Use of Sri Lankan Traditional Drumming for Entertainment and Its Cultural Impact in the Context of Globalization
  UGC Approved Journal No. 49321
  Shodh Drishti (An International Peer Reviewed Refereed Research Journal),
  Vol. 15, No. 8.1,
  August 2024
  ISSN: 0976-6650
  Pages: 119-122

• Sri Govindaji Temple’s Role in Performing Arts: Exploring its Support for Manipuri Dance and Music
  Journal: UGC Approved Journal No. 48416 (An International Peer Reviewed Refereed Research Journal)
  ISSN 2393-8358
  Volume: 11 No. 1
  Issue: Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary
  Pages: 15-22
  Publisher: VPO Nandpur, Tehsil-Jubbal, District-Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

• A Study of Sri Govindaji Temple Daily Rituals
  Journal: UGC Care Approved, Group I, Peer Reviewed and Referred Journal
  Volume: 48
  Issue: Shodha Prabha
  Pages: 35-47
  Publisher: Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha
  Publication date: 2023

• A Study of Sri Govindaji Temple Daily Rituals
  UGC Approved Journal No 49321
  An International Peer reviewed Refereed Journal
  ISSN 0976-6650
  Shodh Drishti
  Vol. 14
  December 2023

• Echoes of Tradition: Exploring Percussive Communication Practices in Sri Lanka
  Journal: Shodh Drishti (An International Peer Reviewed Refereed Research Journal)
  Volume: 15
  Pages: 38-42
  Publication date: 2024

• Traditional Drumming in Sri Lanka: It’s Contribution to Communication in the Buddhist Context
  Publication date: 2023/11
  Journal: Journal of Human-centric Research in Humanities and Social Sciences
  Volume: 4
  Pages: 15-24
  Publisher: Global Vision Press

• The Concept of the (Panchathurya) Pentagonal Band
  Publication date: 2022/12
  Journal: Journal of Fundamental & Comparative Research -Peer Reviewed Bi-annual Interdisciplinary Research Journal
  ISSN 2277-7067
  Volume: 8
  Issue: 2
  Publisher: Shodhasamhita

• Basic Techniques of Playing the Tammattam Drum
  Publication date: December 22, 2002
  Journal: Spectrum (A peer-reviewed journal)
  ISSN 2319-6076
  Volume: 10
  Pages: 50-58
  Publisher: English Literary Circle, Imphal

• Contribution of Traditional Manipuri Dance and Pung Drumming to the Socio-Cultural Development of Manipur-A Study
  Sangitika – A peer reviewed, UGC carelisted journal on Indian music
  ISSN 2348-5892
  Publication: Rasikapriya
  Pages: 07- 12
  2024

• A Comparative Study of Carnatic-Mridangam Drum and Sri Lankan-Kandyan Drum
  STOM UGC-care enlisted & peer-reviewed journal
  Published By: Shivam Sanskritik Manch, Chapra, Bihar
  2024

• The Significance of the Role of Dance, Drumming and Music Education in Enhancing the Physical, Mental and Social Well-being of School Children in Sri Lanka
  UGC Approved Journal No. 48416 (An International Peer Reviewed Refereed Research Journal)
  Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research, Vol. 11, No. 7, July, 2024
  ISSN 2393-8358

• History and Evolution of Sabaragamu Davula in Sri Lanka
  peer-reviewed journal
  Manipur University, India
  ISBN 978—81-952743-3-8
  Full paper published: 2022
  Page: 225

• Goddess Sri Lakshmi Worship in Sinhala Buddhist Society: An In-depth Exploration of Hindu Deity Concept Diffusion and Cultural Integration in Sri Lanka
  Sri Lanka Journal of Aesthetic Studies
  Swami Vipulananda institute of Aesthetic studies
  doi.org/10.2307/278380
  Full Paper
  ISSN (online) 2989-0225

Conference/ Seminar

• The Role of Traditional Musical instruments in communicative functions in a Sri Lankan Buddhist religious context
  World Anthropology Post Congress 2023 International seminar
  Volume: 01
  Issue: Department of Anthropology, Manipur University
  Pages: 97
  Publication date: 2024/2/15

• A Study of the Scientific Background of the Traditional Sabaragamuwa Davula Drum Design
  Journal: 5th International Conference of the Faculty of Music 2023 (ICFM-2023)
  ISBN 978-624-5785-23-0
  Volume: 2
  Issue: 1
  Pages: 65-66
  Publisher: Faculty of Music, University of the Visual & Performing Arts, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka
  Publication date 2024/1/31

• The cultural significance of Pena: A qualitative study on the traditional musical instrument in Manipur
  Conference: 4^th International Conference on Intangible Cultural Heritage 2023 (ICICH)
  ISBN 2550-2360
  Publication date: 2023/9/22
  Sri Jayawardhanapura

• The art of Pena instrument playing in Manipur Meitei religious context
  Conference: International Conference on Postgraduate Interdisciplinary Research 2023
  Pages:150- 164
  Full paper Publication date: 2023
  ISBN 978-955-9373-47-6

• International Seminar on Dance and Music: Universal Peace and Harmony Through Dance and Music
  Department of Dance and Music, Manipur University, India. 29 April, 2024
  Techniques and Styles in Sabaragamuwa Dance: An Analytical Study

• International Seminar on Anthropology in Practice: Health, Culture & Security
  Manipur University, India 15-17 February, 2024
  The role of traditional music instruments in communicative functions in a Sri Lankan Buddhist religions context

• International Seminar on Performing Arts and Culture – 2021
  Manipur University, India
  History and Evolution of Sabaragamu Davula in Sri Lanka

• International Conference on Postgraduate Interdisciplinary research – 2023
  Faculty of Graduate Studies Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka 15^th July 2023
  The art of Pena instrument playing in Manipur Meitei religious context
  ISBN 978-955-9373-47-6
  Page 73

• PATOC Online International Conference – 2020
  University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Sri Lanka 21st 22nd December 2020
  නිර්මානාත්මක වාදනයට නව නිපැයුමක්
  ISSN-9-772756-945003
  Publication date: 2020/12

• UVPA-ICTM joint International Research Symposium – 2019
  Publication Date: December 12, 14 -2019
  පූර්ව බෙර වාදන හස්ත චලන අභ්‍යාස ක්‍රමවේද ස්ථාපිත කිරීම
  (Establishing a pre-drumming hand movement exercise method)

Other Links: