Prof. (Dr.) Saman Panapitiya

“Prof. (Dr.) Saman Panapitiya graduated from the University of Kelaniya in 1992 with a degree in  Bachelor of Fine Arts. In 1994 he obtained the Diploma in Music from the Bhatkhand Faculty of Musicology,, Lucknow and the final certificate of the National Dance Music Final Examination  conducted by the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka. He obtained his Post Graduate Diploma  from the University of Jayewardenepura in 1997Masters’Degree in Philosophy (M.Phil) from the  University of Kelaniya in 2010. He rePh.D.ved his PhD in 2019 from the University of  Jayewardenepura, where he completed his academic and practical knowledge. In 2018, he  enhanced his research knowledge by studying the Certificate Course in Research Methodology  conducted by the Post Graduate University of Sri Jayewardenepura. 

He joined the Institute of Aesthetic Studies in 1992 as an External Instructor. He was promoted  to Instructor in 1998, Lecturer in 2003 and Senior Lecturer in 2010. He served as an External  Lecturer in the Postgraduate Diploma Course in the Department of Sinhala and Mass  Communication, University of Sri Jayewardenepura from 2000, 2010, 2012, and 2013. He is  currently the Dean of the Faculty of Music at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts. 

He entered the University to teach North Indian classical music and changed his field of study.  Various creative works were carried out using the source found in various researches on Sri  Lankan folk singing and folk culture. He was awarded the Bunka Award by the Japan Sri Lanka  Friendship Cultural Fund in 2014 for his contribution to the international popularization of Sri  Lankan folk culture. 

In 2005, he formed the “Mathra” Folk music team with the primary intention of performing in Sri  Lankan folk culture. An experimental folk singing concert called ‘Mathara’ was staged at the John  de Silva Theater, Colombo in 2008, adapting Sri Lankan folk songs to the modern stage. Creative  performances of Sri Lankan folk culture and folk songs were performed in Melbourne, Australia  in 2014 and in the United Arab Emirates in 2017. Won Best Creative Folk Song Award and Best  Song Award at the State Music Awards 2013 held by the Ministry of Culture. He was the recipient  of the Vishwabhinandana Award 2016 presented by the Western Provincial Council for his  lectures and workshops on folk culture of Sri Lanka and his performances in various media  outlets. 

He was the first lecturer in Sri Lankan Ethnomusicology and is currently the Dean of the Faculty  of Music at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts.

Research Interests:

Ethnomusicology, Folk music and Folklore, Anthropology and Culture, 

Publications:

Books 

• Panapitiya, Saman. (2021), “Styles of Sinhala folk singing” (Sinhala Medium) VAPA University  Press, Colombo. Sri Lanka.  
• Unprinted Pre-degree Creation by the name “Sinhala song inspired by folk poetry” (Sinhala  Medium) Submitted to the Kelaniya University for the M.Phil. (2010) 

Translation of an Article  

• A Sinhala translation of a speech delivered at the Royal Asian Society on The Heading of ” Kandyan  Music ” By Mahavalathenna Bandara In 1908. (This Letter Is Incorporated In Lalitha Kala Saara  Sangraya – 02, Prof. Mudiyanse, (Ed), Published By University Society) 2002, (63 – 111 pp)  

Journal articles 

• Panapitiya, Saman. (2013) Folk Consciousness explains the industrial connection with folk songs  within the Kalutara District. (Sinhala Medium) Kaluthara Disa Waruna, Sumanapala (Ed),  Educational Publication. Cultural Department. District Secretariat. Kaluthara. (106-111 pp)  
• Panapitiya Saman. (2014), Folk singing and performing arts that emerged from association with  paddy fields. (Sinhala Medium) Saundarya kala Vimarshana, Mudiyanse Dissanayaka (Ed), Vol.  6. University of the Visual and Performing Arts. Colombo. ISSN-1800-3125, (92-110. Pp)  
• Panapitiya Saman. (2016), Contemporary usage reviews of the Sri Lankan song. (Sinhala  Medium) Saundarya kala Vimarshana, Mudiyanse Dissanayaka (Ed), Vol. 7. University of the  Visual and Performing Arts. Colombo. ISSN-1800-3125, (160-185. Pp)  
• Panapitiya, Saman. (2016) Cultural aspects of Burger people, Sadesha Magazine 4. Edition  Department of Cultural Affairs. 2016. 9 – 115 pp.  
• Panapitiya. Saman. (2018), Sound and musical communication in Sri Lankan folk songs. (Sinhala  Medium) “Praveni” Thalgampola Paduma thero, (ed) first volume. Folk Music Conservation  Center. Cultural Department. Battaramulla, Sri Lanka. ISSN 2602-8654, (75 – 88 pp.) 
• Panapitiya, Saman. (2016), Cultural Aspect of the Burger People. Sadesha, published by the  Department of Cultural Affairs. (9 – 115 pp.) 
• Panapitiya, Saman. (2020), Sinhala folk poetry and folk music, Praleka, Hadunpathirana, k. (Ed),  National Library and Documentation Services Board, Education Ministry. ISSN-2279-2120 (09  – 18 pp.) 
• Panapitiya. Saman, (2020) Some Observation on Agrarian Life and Performing Arts in Today’s Sri  Lanka. Asian European Music Research Journal. (AEMR) Xiao Mei, Shanghai Conservatory of  music. ISSN. 2625-378X. Volume 6. Pp.51-59.  
• Panapitiya, Saman. (2021), Folk arts are Associated with Agro lifestyles and performing arts of  today in Sri Lanka. Timber of Identity, Ethnomusicological Approaches to music, dance and  identity, Özlem DOĠUŞ Varali, (ED), @ 2021, Bursa, Turkey.  

Research Symposium Papers.  

• Panapitiya, Saman. (2016), “Colonialist concepts of folk music and folk poetry used to refer to  Sinhala classical music and poetry” conducted by the University of the Visual and Performing arts.  
• Panapitiya, Saman. (2017), “Voice Production process in Sinhala folk songs” conducted by the  University of the Visual and Performing arts.  
• Panapitiya, Saman. (2018), “Creative use of the human voice that expresses the singing virtues of  Sinhala folk poetry” conducted by Department of Sinhala, University of Colombo.  
• Panapitiya, Saman. (2019), “Voice production interaction of Sinhala Andahera Singing” conducted  by Department of Musicology, University of the Visual and Performing Arts. Colombo.  
• Panapitiya, Saman. (2020), Folk Arts Associated with Agro Life Style and Performing Arts today  in Sri Lanka. International Ethnomusicology Symposium, Music, Dance, and Identity Timbres of  Danube, Turkey.  
• Panapitiya, Saman. (2021), “Higher Music Education” South Asia Regional Conference.  International Society for Music Education. (ISME) The Second International Conference organized  by the Faculty of Music. University of the visual and performing arts. 
• Panapitiya, S. Samarakoon, K. (2021), “Public Health of Ancient Sri Lankans in The Face of  Epidemics” Proceedings of the ISymRU, Medicine and Public Health: Oral Presentation.  International Symposium of Rajarata University, Mihinthale.  

Special Guest Lecture (International)  

• Panapitiya, Saman. (2020), “Public Health of Ancient Sri Lankans” APACPH – 2020 International  Virtual Conference, Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health. Webcast from Colombo,  Sri Lanka.  

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=1579142118944396

Conference Co-Chair  

• ISME – 3rd South Asia Regional Conference – 23 – 25 November 2021, Colombo. International  Society of Music Education in Partnership with Faculty of Music University of the Visual and  Performing Arts.  

Conference Session Chair 

• ISME – South Asia Regional Conference – 2021, Presentation session 2C. Continuation of music  learning from secondary school to higher education.  

Conference panel member 

• 2nd Undergraduate Research Symposium – 2020 of the Faculty of Music. University of the Visual  and Performing Arts.  
• Online Research Symposium – FGS – UVPA – 2021, Faculty of Graduate Studies. University of the  Visual and Performing Arts.  
• 3rd Undergraduate Research Symposium – 2021 of the Faculty of Music. University of the Visual  and Performing Arts.  

Member of Panel of Reviewers 

• Student Research Symposium – 2018. Serve as a member of the Student Symposia Tribunal,  organized by the visual and Performing Arts University’s Research and Publishing Committee  
• Student Research Symposium – 2019, Serve as a member of the Student Symposia Tribunal,  organized by the visual and Performing Arts University’s Research and Publishing Committee  
• Research abstracts book of the best 100 research abstracts of the undergraduates who produced  their final projects – 2020 
• Research abstracts book. Online Research Symposium – FGS – UVPA – 2021, Faculty of Graduate  Studies. University of the Visual and Performing Arts.  

Member of Panel 

• Membership of the Folk Music Division panel at the State Music Festival- 2014. At kalabavana,  Colombo 07. 11. Aug. 2014.  
• Being a member of the judging panel of Inter-School Music. The competition was organized by  the Ministry of Education (2018.07.03.)
• Acting as a member of the judging panel of the final competition of the folk song Competition  organized by the National Youth Services Council (2019. 08. 01) 

Participation in International Folk Music Conferences 

• Functioned as the show manager at the “Asian Folk music festival” organized by the Aesthetic  studies Institute in 1992.  
• Music direction and production for the only production on behalf of Sri Lanka at the Asian music  festival. Staged by the Aesthetic studies Institute Jointly by India, Iran, Sri Lanka, Indonesia  (Gamelan music), Japan, and china in 1999. 
• Direction, Combination, and singing at the “World Folk Music Festival – 2011 – Jaffna” which was  Organized By the “Sewalanka Foundation” on 2011 March 25th, 26th, 27th. Jointly by International  folk groups from India, South Africa, Nepal, Palestine and Norway, and Sri Lanka.  
• Folklore – 2021. Symphony of the World, Organized by American International University – Bangladesh. (2021, Feb, 21) Two Folk music creative items representing the University of Visual  and Performing Arts were presented for this concert.  

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=722551428444079     (Time. 02.03.11 – 02.11.45) 

Video Recording for preservation for C.D.S. kulathilaka archive center 

• Video filming of “Ritual of Devolmadu ” at Homagama in 1994. 
• Video filming of “Sanni yakuma” at the Colombo University in 1995. 
• Filming and voice recording of “Sooniyam Yagaya” at the Institute of Aesthetic study in 1995.
• Filming of “SooniyamYagaya” in Hulandeeva area in Mathara in 1995. 
• Filming of “Ritual of Kohomba kankariya” at Dhoratiyava ,Kurunegala. 1996
• Filming “Nuvara kalaviye Bali Shanthikarma” Institute of Aesthetic study in 1996.
• Filming of “Sokary natakaya” (folk play) at the Sri Jayawardanapura University – 1998
• Filming of ” Ratayakuma ritual” (Mathra style) at the cultural center, Mathara. -1998
• Filming and voice recording of “Kolammadu” (Ambalangoda tradition) at Kahathuduva 1999. 

Creative Work

❖ Video  

• Video Creation, Editing ,and Directing of Independent Experimental Film of “Berayaka Kathava”  – 1997, (Story of Upcountry Drum) Regarding The Creation and Sound Production of Upcountry  Drum Submitted For The Post Graduate Diploma In Writer ship and Communication Examination  of The Sri Jayewardenepura University. 
• Video Creation, Editing ,and Directing of Independent Experimental song of “Ango Upasaka” – 2021, (Story of Upcountry folklore) Regarding The Upcountry folk song.      https://youtu.be/_U_VZ-wsn2s 

❖ Music Directing and arrangement for cassette and CDs  

• Production of Music Related ‘‘Gajaga Wannama’’ (Orchestra Music) and ‘‘Jalliya’’ of “Hela  Miyesiya ’’ Folk Music Concert Produced By the Folk Music Sub Council. 1998. Organized by  Culture Department.  
• Production and Combination of Music for “The Love” Musical Production of “Vaddya Vrunda” (Orchestration music) Programme Stage for the First Time by the Music Student section of the  Department of music, Institute of Aesthetic Studies. 
• Western music combination for cassette and CD production of prof. Kolitha Bhanu Dissanayaka.  
• Composition and creation of two songs for the CD “Dȃspethiya mala” produced by the General  Hospital, Ampara. 
• The Direction of music for the CD Produced “Yana Thenakata” by Professor Ariyarathna  Kaluarachchi. 
• Production of Sinhala folk poetry-based song for the CD “Kampith Sevaneli” of senior professor Jayasena Kottagoda. 
• Direction and Composing of Music for Folk Music Cassette Production of Mr. Daya Rathnasekera,  Produced And Recorded in 2000. 
• The Direction of music at the CD of “Noopuraravey” Production by the Kalaakeerthi Rajini  selvanayagam on behalf of the Chamara Art Institute – 2019. 
• The Symbol of Sri Lankan identity towards Universal music ten musical pieces of Sri Lanka)  Creating and directing the “Bhaava” music track of the CD “Sannaada” comprising ten  experimental music pieces created by the Folk Music Conservation Unit of the Ministry of Culture. 

❖ Music Directing for Tele Drama 

• Composition and creation for the Tele Drama “Jeewithaya Mal Wessak” Directed by Dr.  Lankathilaka Jayasingha. 2012
• Music direction for the Tele Drama “Vehibiththara” Directed by. Mr. Karunaraththna, 2021.  

❖ Music Directing for Films 

• Music Direction for the Sinhala Film “Sangili” Which was Directed by Mr.Lalith Pannipitiya.  2019.  
• Music Direction for the Sinhala Film “Sinhabhahu” Which was directed by Dr.Somarathna  Dissanayaka. 2022. (Ongoing)  

❖ Music directing for stage plays 

• The direction of music for the Folk Dance concert produced by Mr. Rasika Kothalawala. (2006) 
• Production of music for the Stage ballet dance “Sthree” (Women) produced for the ballet Dance  Festival. Organized by Cultural ministry. Directed by Prof. Mudiyanse Dissanayaka.  
• Production and direction of “Mathra” folk music concert (Including new generation related to Sri  Lanka Folk music) at John de Silva Theatre on 09. 02. 2008. 
• Production and direction of “Hela Suwa Udana” (Folk song and folklore play) stage play at  poddiwela, Galle.Sri Lanka. On 21.11. 2010.  
• Production and direction of “Thaala” (Folk song and folklore play) stage play at  Sabaragamuva University On 09.Jan; 2018 
• Musical direction and choreography of the “Teekaava” folk music stage play staged at the Sripali  Theater, Horana by Mathra Foundation. (2019.) 

❖ Music Directing and composing theme Song 

• The theme song of Rajarata University. 
• Composition and creation of theme song for the Tele Drama “Jeewithaya Mal Wessak” Directed  by Dr. Lankathilaka Jayasingha.

Experimental and Research project on Sri Lankan folk songs for U Tube channel

• Experimental investigation on Sinhala Pathal kawi –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLMZPfwnwKE  
• Experimental investigation on Sinhala Karaththa kawi –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qcEzRuPIcE 
• Experimental investigation on Sinhala Velapum kawi –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhlgPK9srm4 
• Experimental investigation on Sinhala Paaru kawi –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUwCB9-tnmg

Foreign Tours for creative work and workshop of Sri Lankan folk music

1. Australia Tour 

Participated as Creative Director of Sri Lankan Music based Creative Stage Concerts held in  various cities of Australia. (2014 Oct; 10 – Oct 29) 

2. Dubai Tour  

Conducting folk singing competitions to promote Sri Lankan cultural knowledge of young children  living in Dubai and presenting Sri Lankan folk song shows for the new Audience in different cities.  (2017 November 08th– 12)  

Experimental Creative Production and workshops

❖ In Sri Lanka 

• Production and combination of music at the folk music stage concert held at the B.M.I.C.H. hall  Conducted by the folk music secondary board in 1998.  
• The direction of music and conducting the music group at the “Gandarva Pranaama” concert  held at the Colombo new town hall for the inauguration of few books edited by Prof: Sunil  Ariyarathna in 1998. 
• Functioned as the show manager at the “Asian Folk music festival” organized by the Aesthetic  studies Institute in 1992. 
• Production and combination of music at the “Hela Miyesi Ravaya” folk music festival held at  Mathara and Kandy by the art council in 2000, and 2001. 
• Production of music and contribution to playing at the “Bhavaleela” Folk dancing concert at John  de Silva Hall in 1999. 
• Music combination and contribution in playing at the experimental music concert “Kolitha  Sathsara” held at the Elphinistaon Hall by Kolitha Bhanu Dissanayaka.  
• Music and Sound Production For ‘‘Nalagana Wannama’’ Latest Production of Prof. Mudiyanse  Disanayaka. 2009.  
• Direction, combination and singing of music at the CD of “Induvara” Production by the Faculty of  Music. 2013. 
• Production and Direction of music for the Ballet “Erandathi” Staged by Pansilu Kalayathanaya,  Weliveriya. 2012. 
• Production and Direction of music “Chamara Kalayathanaya” Staged by Kalashuri Rgini  Selwanayagam, Sugathadasa Stadium 2012. 
• Mathra Stage Play – 2014, Creative stage show based on Sri Lankan folk song. 2014 Feb. 27.  Staged at Ampara Town Hall 
• Teekava Stage Play – 2014, Creative stage show based on Sri Lankan folk song. 2014 April 03.  Staged at Bandaranayaka hall at University of Sri Jayawardhenapura 
• Mathra Stage Play – 2014, Creative stage show based on Sri Lankan folk songs. 2014 April 10.  Staged at Kanthale. 
• Participated as the main resource of the Folk-Song Workshop for Music Teachers organized by  the North Central Provincial Education Department (17th June 2017.) 
• Music combination and contribution in Singing and performing at the experimental music concert  “Teekava” held at the Open Theater of Wayaba University. (21st Sep; 2017.) 
• Music combination and contribution in Singing and performing at the experimental music concert  “Mathraa” held at Wayaba University.  
• Music combination and contribution in Singing and performing at the experimental music concert  “Hela Udaava” held at Nivithigala. Organization Nivithigala Police Station. 
• Direction, Arrangement, and Singing Folk music stage concert “Sri Lankan Folk performances – 2016” at Low Faculty of Colombo University. (18. May. 2016) 
• Direction, Arrangement, and Singing Folk music stage concert “Teekava – Folk performances – 2017 ” at Orientation program. Sri Jayawardhenapura University. Organized By The Faculty of  Humanities (13. Jan. 2017)
• Direction, Arrangement and Singing Folk music stage concert for children “Sinhala Jana gee  prasangaya – 2017 ” at Rathnavali girls college. Organized by the Gampaha Divisional Secretariat  (2014 Oct; 24) 
• Leadership Training Workshop – 2014, Participate as a Resource Person in the main workshop on  the Leadership Training Program organized by the Ministry of Higher Education for the students  who are admitted to the University. Workshops held in 2014. 
• 02nd January Dobagoda Army Headquarters, 03rd January Kandy, 04th Thalatu oya navy camp,  05th gannoruva army camp,06th Trinco army camp, 07th Minneriya army camp, 21st  Anuradhapuraya, 26th Boowelikada,30th Maduruoya, 31st Ampara army camp, 10th November  Trinco, 11th Ampara, 14th Ambilipitiya, 16th Thalathuoya,  
• Music Direction, Composing, and Arrangement for the folk music show. (Hela udana ) Which Was  Organized by Doctors Association of Halawatha hospital. (2017 Nov; 29) 
• Music Direction and Production Direction at the Folk Poetry Concert held for the new students  of the Advanced Technological University of Moratuwa. (2017 des; 21) 
• Participated as the main resource person for the workshop for members of the Sri Lankan Folk  Music team conducted by the Ministry of Culture. (2018.06.09) 
• Participated as a Resource Person at the Workshop for Cultural Officers in Sri Lanka organized by  the Ministry of Culture. (13. Aug; 2018) 
• Participated as a main resource person for the Performing Art workshop for members of Sri  Lankan Music teachers. Conducted by the Ministry of Education – North Central Province. (22.  Sep; 2018) 
• Participated as a Resource Person at Pirivena Teachers, Workshop organized by Pirivena  Education Unit of Sri Lanka. (05. 12. 2018) 

❖ International  

• Music direction and production for the only production on behalf of Sri Lanka at the Asian  music festival. Staged by the Aesthetic studies Institute Jointly by India, Iran, Sri Lanka,  Indonesia (Gamelan music), Japan, and china in 1999. 
• Direction, Arrangement and Singing Folk music stage concert “Traditions Meet seven winds Norway friends in Unison and Mathra 2008 ” at Cultural Center Peradeniya.  
• Direction, combination and singing At The “World Folk Music Festival 2011 – Jaffna” which was  Organized By The “Sewalanka Foundation” on2011 March 25th,26th ,27th. Jointly by International  folk groups from India, South Africa, Nepal, Palestine and Norway, and Sri Lanka (Mathra Group)
• Direction, Combination, and Singing “Training For World Trusteeship Workshop (Cultural  Evening)– 2011 Which was Organized By the Weeramantry International Centre For Peace  Education & Research in September 8th 2011 at Kegalle . 
• Direction, Combination, and Singing About Sri Lankan Folk Songs With Folk Dance & Drum Beat At The 58th Conference for Commonwealth Parliamentary Speakers. (09th, 10thOct 2012, At  Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksha performing Theatre) 
• Direction, Combination, and Singing “Training For Word Trusteeship Workshop (Cultural  Evening)- 2012” which was Organized By the “Weeramantry International Centre For Peace  Education & Research” in September 02nd , 2012 In To Anuradhapura. 
• Direction Docudrama (Deluge) At the “National Conference On Achievements And Lessons  Learned – 2013 ” Which Was Organized By The World University Of Canada ( WUSC ) In Taj  Samudra Hotel, Colombo.  
• Music Direction, Composing, and Arrangement for the Music Ballet (Hiru Dutu Pini Bindu ) At the  “ Foot Prints” Which Was Organized By Seth Sarana Caritas – Colombo. 
• Production of the concert with Sri Lankan identity for the commonwealth Leadership festival held  in 2013. 
• Creating and directing a Sinhala folk music item performed at the Chinese New Year Concert in  Sri Lanka organized by the University of Visual and Performing Arts and the Chinese embassy.  (2019. March. 19)

Awards:

• The Award for the Best Creative Song Based On Sri Lankan Folk Musical Tradition. Awarded In the  “State Music Awards Ceremony – 2013” Organized by The Cultural Ministry and Art council, Sri  Lanka. 
• The Award for the Best Creative Group Song in Sri Lanka. Awarded in the “State Music Awards  Ceremony 2013” – Organized by the Cultural Ministry and Art council, Sri Lanka. 
• Bunka (cultural) awards – 2014, Awarded in the 21st Bunka (Cultural) Awards ceremony  organized by the Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Fund 
• Vishvabhinandana of Western Province in Sri Lanka. – 2016, Awards ceremony organized by the  Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Western Province in Sri Lanka. 

Other Links :

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