Mr. L. N. A. D. P. Nissanka

Academic and Professional Profile

Loku Nissanka Arachchige Darshana Pramod Nissanka is an academic, researcher, and professional vocalist specializing in North Indian Classical Music (Hindustani Vocal Tradition). His career represents a synthesis of rigorous classical training, university-based scholarship, and sustained engagement with Sri Lankan ritual and cultural music practices.

His foundational university education was completed at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts (UVPA), the premier institution for arts education in Sri Lanka. In 2015, he was awarded the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Special) Degree with First Class Honors, specializing in North Indian Classical Music (Vocal). This achievement was foreshadowed by his receipt of the Lionel Edirisinghe memorial scholarship for the 2011/2012 academic year, recognizing him as the top-performing student in his cohort.

Following his undergraduate success, Nissanka pursued a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, which he completed in 2021. The MPhil degree represents a critical transition into high-level research, where he began to apply scientific and ethnomusicological methodologies to traditional musical practices. His preparation for this degree included a rigorous three-month coursework program on Research Methodology at the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, ensuring his proficiency in qualitative and quantitative analysis.

His academic work is grounded in ethnomusicology and music psychology, with a focus on musical communication, listener perception, and the interaction between Indian classical systems and Sri Lankan indigenous ritual traditions. As a lecturer at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts, he contributes actively to teaching, research, curriculum development, and institutional service.

Educational Qualifications

University Degrees

• Master of Philosophy (MPhil) – Music / Ethnomusicology (Musical Values of Up-Country Bali Śāntikarma)
  University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka (2021)
• Bachelor of Performing Arts (Special) – First Class Honours
  Specialization: North Indian Classical Music (Vocal)
  University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Sri Lanka (2015)

Professional Music Qualifications (India)

• Sangeet Nipun (Vocal) – First Division (2019)
  Bhathkhande Sangeet Vidyapit, Lucknow, India
• Sangeet Visharad (Vocal) – First Division (2009)
  Bhathkhande Sangeet Vidyapit, Lucknow, India

Teaching Experience

University of the Visual and Performing Arts (UVPA)

• Lecturer – Department of North Indian Music – Present
• Visiting Instructor – Department of North Indian Music – 2016–2017

University of Kelaniya

• Temporary Lecturer (Vocal) – Department of Fine Arts – 2020–2021
• Visiting Lecturer (Vocal) – Department of Fine Arts – 2021–2022
• Temporary Lecturer (Vocal) – Department of Fine Arts – 2022–2023
• Visiting Lecturer, Accompanist – MA in Music Programme – 2023
• Examiner – MA in Music

University of Colombo

Guest lecture on Music in 2024 (For the First year students of the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Bachelor of Science in Information Systems)

Also he has taught undergraduate, postgraduate, and external degree students and has served as an examiner, invigilator, practical examiner, and question paper setter in university examinations.

Publications

• හින්දුස්තානී සංගීත ශ්‍රවණයෙහි මානව සංජානනය (Human Perception in the Audition of Hindustani Music).
  Vidyalankara Publications, Sri Lanka, 2019.
  ISBN: 978-955-8488-29-4

Research Papers and Conference Presentations

Journal Articles

• A Study on Bali Santhikarma in Sri Lanka with Special Reference to Musical Communication of Up-Country Tradition. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2023.
• Bali Śāntikarma in Sri Lanka: A Brief Introduction. Samvadi: Academic Journal of Music, Vol. 4, 2019.
• උත්තර භාරතීය සංගීතය ශ්‍රවණයෙහි දී මිනිස් මොළයේ ක්‍රියාකාරීත්වය (Human Brain Activity in Response to Listening to North Indian Classical Music: An Analytical Study) Sangeet Academic Journal, Vol. 3, 2018.

International and National Conference Papers

• The Rhythmic Influence of Carnatic Tāla on the Up-Country Bali Śāntikarma of Sri Lanka – International Performing Arts Conference (IPAC), 2025.
• ගුර්බානී සංගීතය කෙරෙහි හින්දුස්තානි සංගීතයෙ හි ධ්‍රැපද් ගායන ශෛලියෙහි ආභාසය විමර්ශනාත්මක අධ්‍යයනයක් (The Impact of Hindustani Classical Dhrupad Style on Gurbani Sangeet:An Analytical Study) – International Conference on Music Analysis (ICMA), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 2021.
• Diffusion of Bali Śāntikarma in Sri Lanka – International Research Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 2018.
• Aesthetics of Bali Śāntikarma in Sri Lanka – International Conference on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICICH), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 2019.
• Pedagogical Innovations in Online Music Education Born of COVID-19 Necessity – Performing Arts Trends and Opportunities Conference (PATOC), University of the Visual and Performing Arts, 2020.
• Institutional Research Symposium (Hindustani music and the mind) University of the Visual and Performing Arts –, 2016.

Research Symposia and Scholarly Participation

• Institutional Research Symposium, University of the Visual and Performing Arts – Research Paper Presentation, 2016.
• Undergraduate Research Symposium (HUG) – Rapporteur, 2022.
• Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference (ICH) – Session Assistant, 2020/2021.
• 5^th International Conference- Faculty of Music (ICFM) – Session Assistant, 2023.

Performance Profile

Performance Excellence and Artistic Repertoire

His 4th place finish in the first Sirasa Super Star reality competition in 2005 is a unique aspect of his biography. While such competitions often focus on popular music, Nissanka’s subsequent dedication to classical music demonstrates a deliberate choice to use his public platform to promote high-art traditions. This experience has likely contributed to his effectiveness as a communicator and educator, allowing him to demystify classical music for a general audience.

As a practitioner of North Indian Classical Music, Darshana Pramod Nissanka is a distinguished vocalist whose performance style is a testament to his years of rigorous training. His repertoire includes some of the most challenging and aesthetically profound ragas in the Hindustani music.

Classical Vocal Performances

His performance history demonstrates a mastery of the vocal forms of Khayal and Tarana, as well as the semi-classical Ghazal.

• Rāg Darbari Kanada: Performed as a duet at the Classical Night event at UVPA in 2012,
• Rāg Bhimpalasi: A solo performance in Badulla (2017)
• Rāg Megh Malhar: His solo performance at the Ministry of Education workshop in Meepe (2018
• Rāg Kaunsi Kanada: Performed at the Swami Vivekanand Cultural Center in 2022
• Rāg Hamsadhwani and Rāg Malkauns: These performances at Ministry of Education events in Kurunegala (2017) and Colombo (2016)

Media and Television Presence

Nissanka has been a frequent guest on national television, where he has successfully balanced the demands of classical purity with the need for public engagement.

Awards and Recognition

State Music Awards

• Best Male Singer Award (2014): Winner of the top national prize for male vocalists.
• Nominated for Best Male Singer (2013): Recognized as a leading finalist.
• Nominated for Best Classical Singer (2016): Specifically recognized for his mastery of the classical genre.

Youth and Academic Awards

• 1st Place – Lionel Edirisinghe Music Festival (2012): Awarded for North Indian Classical Music Vocal (Duet).
• 2nd Place – Lionel Edirisinghe Music Festival (2012): Awarded for North Indian Classical Music Vocal (Solo).
• Best Results Scholarship (2011/2012): Awarded for academic and performance excellence at UVPA.

Administrative and Institutional Service

University of the Visual and Performing Arts

• Board of Management: Member of the Board of Management of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) University Press.
• Student Support: Serves as a Student Counsellor for the Faculty of Music, providing academic and personal guidance to undergraduate vocalists.
• Research Leadership: Member of the organizing committee for the student research symposium organized by the C.De.S. Kulathilake Archival & Research Unit (CDSKAR).
• Institutional Milestones: Member of the Action and Organizing Committee for the university’s 20th-anniversary celebration program.
• Library and Archives: Member of the committee for evaluating donated CDs for the UVPA Library, ensuring the quality of the institutional archive.
• Departmental Initiatives: Committee member of “Nāda Sambhāvyā,” a weekly classical music event organized by the Department of North Indian Music to promote performance excellence.

National and International Professional Engagement

• Member – International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance (ICTMD)

National Institute of Education and Ministry Roles

• Resource Person – Designing of the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) Degree Programme, National Institute of Education (NIE), Sri Lanka
• Resource Person – NIE e-Thaksalawa Digital Learning Platform
• Resource person for the Gurugedara educational program (a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and NIE)

Adjudication and Panel Service

• Ministry of Education: Panel member for the All-Island Music Competitions in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
• Examiner and panel member for internal and external degree programmes
• University of Sri Jayewardenepura: Judge for the Ranrasu Talent Show in 2017.
• University of Kelaniya: Member of the judge panel for the Cultural Center and the Spotlight inter-university singing competition organized by the Rotaract Club.
• University of Kelaniya: Member of the judge panel for Manjusawa singing competition
• Symposium Service: Served as a Rapporteur in the HUG 2022 Undergraduate Research Symposium and as a Session Assistant for the ICH 2020/21 conference.
• University of Sri Jayewardenepura: Judge for the Vidumini Prathibha singing competition for Bachelor of Arts External Degree Program
• Ministry of Education (Western Province): Member of the judge panel for Inter-Academy Music competition 2024

Availability

• Masters Research
• Research Projects

Research Interests

• Human perception and cognition in Hindustani music audition
• Musical communication and meaning in ritual contexts
• Sri Lankan Bali Śāntikarma and healing traditions
• Intercultural rhythmic systems (Hindustani–Carnatic–Sri Lankan traditions)
• Ethnomusicology and performance-based research
• Music and minorities