Mr. A. R. E. R. Rajamanthree

Mr. A. R. E. R. Rajamanthree

Lecturer (Unconfirmed)

Faculty of Dance and Drama
Department of Kandyan Dance

Qualifications:

BPA (Hons), MPA (UVPA), Visharad II – Kathak (Lucknow, India)

  • Bachelor of Performing Arts (Special Degree) – University of the Visual and Performing Arts (2003/2004)
  • Master of Performing Arts in Dance (MPA) – UVPA (2019)
  • Certificate Course in Teaching for Higher Education – Staff Development Centre, UVPA (2013/2022)
  • Visharad (Dance – Kathak) – Bhatkhande Sangeet Vidyapith, Lucknow, India (2004)
  • Prathama (Instrumental – Tabla) – Bhatkhande Sangeet Vidyapith, Lucknow, India (2003)

Profile:

Lecturer A.R.E.R. Rajamanthree is an accomplished dance educator, performer, and researcher whose work spans Sri Lankan traditional dance, South Asian classical traditions, and interdisciplinary performance studies. With a strong academic foundation in Kandyan Dance and formal training in Kathak and Tabla from the renowned Bhatkhande Sangeet Vidyapith, Lucknow, he brings a rich blend of theoretical knowledge and practical mastery to the field. His academic career at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts reflects his deep commitment to teaching, curriculum development, student mentorship, and the advancement of dance as a scholarly discipline. He has held several key administrative and academic roles, contributing significantly to programme coordination, faculty committees, national examinations, and quality assurance processes. Rajamanthree’s professional practice is equally distinguished; he has contributed to national-level cultural initiatives, served as an examiner and evaluator for major aesthetic examinations, and participated in community outreach and applied performance projects. His research interests encompass traditional and ritual dance, Asian performance cultures, and socio-anthropological approaches to dance studies, positioning him as a thoughtful scholar-practitioner dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Sri Lanka’s intangible cultural heritage. Through his combined roles as educator, researcher, and cultural advocate, he continues to shape the next generation of dancers while strengthening the academic discourse on traditional and contemporary dance practices.

Research Interests:

Sri Lankan Traditional Dance

Asian Classical Dance Traditions

Anthropology and Sociology of Dance

Psychological Dimensions of Performance

Intangible Cultural Heritage Preservation

Interdisciplinary Approaches to Dance

 

Academic & Administrative Positions Held:

  • Coordinator (1st Year), Faculty of Dance & Drama – 2024–2027
  • Duty Lecturer, Haiyanthuduwa Premises – 2024
  • Member, Subcommittee for International Performing Arts Conference – IPAC 2025
  • Student Counselor and Adviser (Ongoing)
  • Executive Committee Member – Faculty Academic Staff Union (2020–2021)

Appointments as Subject Coordinator:

  1. DKAD 12013 – Kandyan Dance: Principles and Foundational Skills
  2. DKAD 23032 – Study of Traditional Kandyan Drumming
  3. DKAD 33032 – Kandyan Drumming Styles: Traditional Practice
  4. DKAD 41033 – Kandyan Drumming and Singing: Creative Performance
  5. DKAD 41022 – Kandyan Drumming IV
  6. DKAD 42052 – Kandyan Creative Singing and Drumming

Other Administrative & Academic Responsibilities:

  • Session Coordinator / Panel Member / Committee Member of Student Research Seminars
  • Supervisor for student dissertations and independent study assignments
  • Consultant and Adviser, Department of Udarata Dance (2011–2021)
  • Served as Department Committee Secretary
  • Contributor to Curriculum Development activities of the Faculty
  • Active participation in university workshops and academic events
  • Involvement in university student admissions, teaching, evaluation, and examination processes
  • Contributor to student unions and academic societies

National Examination & Evaluation Service:

  • Chief Examiner – Practical Examination, National Dance/Music Examination (December 2023)
  • Chief Examiner – Written Examination Paper Marking (22 July 2025)
  • Contributor to the Revision of National Dance Syllabus, developed as “National Aesthetic Certificate Examination” (2023–2024)
  • Served on multiple National-Level Judging Panels for dance and performance evaluations

Professional Contributions & Outreach:

  • Resource Person – Arunanandaya Program 2023 (VAPA Television)
  • Participant in Applied Performance Program (AHEAD Project) for underprivileged schools
  • Extensive contributions to university-led community outreach, training, workshops, and cultural development programs

Publications:

Research Book

  • කොහොඹා යක්කම් පුරාණය – 2021

Research Articles

  • දේශීය ශාන්තිකර්ම සංජානනය සහ අසංතුලිත බව – සෞන්දර්ය කලා විමර්ශන, Volume 4 (2009)

Conference Presentations

  • 3rd International Conference on Intangible Cultural Heritage (2021) – University of Sri Jayewardenepura
    “වංශකතා සාහිත්‍යය, කුවේණි අස්න සහ කොහොඹා යක් කංකාරිය”
  • International Performing Arts Conference – IPAC 2025 (UVPA)
    “යක්ෂ ගෝත්‍රික ජන සංස්කෘතිය හා මහාවංශය”
  • International Performing Arts Conference – IPAC 2025
    “වැදිජන ශාන්තිකර්ම සහ කොහොඹා යක් කංකාරිය”

Awards:

  • Bronze Award – Quality Framework for Graded Examination, Griffin College London (International Examination Board)