Qualifications: PhD (Theatre Performance )(Monash-Australia ), M.A by Research (La Trobe=Australia), EFS PG (La Trobe), B.A.(Hons)(Kelaniya), TAE (Kangan Institute Australia)Ad. Dip in Drama (Tower Hall Theatre SL), Crt in TV Production & Video Technology (NYSCO), Crt in Radio Script & Voice (SLBC)
Position: Head of the Department, Senior Lecturer | Department of Drama, Oriental Ballet & Modern Dance
Dr. Tharanga Dandeniya is an academic researcher, author, Australian accredited trainer/educator, project manager, administrator, and performance practitioner and has over 15 years of experience as a community development project designer/coordinator. He is a national award-winning writer/director/actor with over thirty years of experience in theatre, radio, and screen. Tharanga is the recipient of the Sri Lanka Presidential Scholarship for Performing Arts (2002), APA (2011), IPRS (2011), Performance Academy Grant (2014), Enrichment Bursary of PSi (2014-2015), and several publication grants. Tharanga conducted his Doctoral research (Theatre Performance) at Monash University(2011-2016) in Melbourne, Master of Arts by Research Degree at La Trobe University- Melbourne (2004-2007), and received B.A.(Honours) in Drama and Theatre at University of Kelaniya (2002). Through his research and performance practice, Tharanga has developed a comprehensive practicable Model for Cross-cultural performance, Temple Gateway Model, and presented at many international conferences. Tharanga is also an Australian accredited (NAATI) translator as well as a vocational educationalist. With the VIT (PT) accreditation and Training and Assessment Education (TAE) qualification (2019), Tharanga conducted an Applied Learning Certificate Programmes in Screen Acting for Australian College of Dramatic Arts and VCAL associated selected schools in Victoria. Tharanga is the founding president of Australia Asia Performance Community Inc. Tharanga is also an Australian accredited translator, and a trainer/educator in vocational education and Applied Learning in screen-based performing arts in Australia. He is a member of the State Drama Advisory Board of the Art Council of Sri Lanka. Currently, Tharanga is a senior lecturer, and the Head of the Department of Drama, Oriental Ballet & Modern Dance, Faculty of Dance & Drama of the UVPA.
Playwriting and Directing, Research Methodologies, Cross-cultural Theatre, Performance Theories, Contemporary Theatre Practice
Dandeniya, T.C. (2010). Rasingh Devio: with forward; A research political tragicomedy creating from folk lore and history. Colombo: An author publication Publication.). (On the publication grant from the National Library Board Publishing Project). (Nominated for the Best Drama Publication at the State Literature Awards, Sri Lanka)
Dandeniya, T.C. (Translator). (2010). Mee Pani Pedesa-The Honey Spot by Jack Davis: with forward; Aboriginal drama and post-colonial matters. Colombo: Pehesara Publication. (Nominated for the Best Translation Drama Publication at the State Literature Awards, Sri Lanka
Dandeniya, T.C. (2006). Asani Walahaka. Colombo: An author publication. (on the publication grant from the National Library Board publishing project)
Dandeniya, T.C. (2000). Uduhulagak Awilla .Colombo: Stamford Lake Publication. ( National Library Board publishing project) -The Best Publication Award received from the National Youth Award 2000
Dandeniya, T.C. (1995). Wadurunuwana saha Nalakaray. Colombo: Purna Education Foundation & Sarwodaya Vishvaleka. Also cited in the Government School Language and Literature textbook for grade 6. Awibalaya Saha Nena Balaya. Colombo: State Printing corporation, 2005, 74-85.
(Sri Lankan Government and Educational Ministry recommended text as extra reading material for grades 6 and 7)
The Winner of Enrichment Bursary, Monash University, 2014 Performance Studies
International PSi20
MAPC Performance Grant 2014 ($5000 grant for developing an original
performance by the Monash Academy of Performing Arts)
Nomination for the Best Original Drama Book Publication
The Cultural Ministry of Sri Lanka at the State Literature Awards for Rasingh
Deiyo book publication 2012
Nomination for the Best Translation Drama Book Publication
The Cultural Ministry of Sri Lanka at the State Literature Awards for
Meepani Pedesa book September 2012
Postgraduate Travel Grant, MIGR, 2012, 2014 Monash University
Australian Postgraduate Award, 201-2015
Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship 2011-2015 Monash
University
Sri Lankan National Library Board Publication Grant 2010 Sri Lankan National
Library
Sri Lankan National Library Board Publication Grant 2006 Sri Lankan National
Library
Sri Lankan Presidential Scholarship for Performing Arts Category 2002
Best Upcoming Director 2001
The Cultural Ministry of Sri Lankan in the State Drama Festival 2001 Awarded for
Asani Walahaka dramatic production
The Best Script Second Place 2000 National Youth Drama Festival Sri Lanka,
Asani Walahaka dramatic Production
The Best Book Publication (Uduhulagak Avilla-short play text collection ) 2000
The National Youth Award Festival Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan National library Board Publication Grant, 1999
The Best Dramatic Production, Direction, and Script 1999 Uduhulangak Avilla dramatic production
Inter University Drama Festival, Colombo University.
The Best Script Second Place/Special Award for Direction 1999
Uduhulangak Avilla Dramatic Production,The Cultural Ministry of Sri Lankan in
the State Drama Festival.
Poetry Merit 1999 The National Youth Award Festival Sri Lanka.
The Best Lyrics Second Place 1999
Bihidora Abhiyasa student arts festival of nation-wide conducted by University
of Kelaniya.
Lyrics Merit 1998
The National Youth Award Festival Sri Lanka.
The Best Drama Script 3rd place 1998
Mage Deshaya Awadi Karanu Mena student arts festival of nation-wide
conducted by University of Peradeniya Awarded for Handunageniema play text
The Best Tele Drama Script Third Place1998
Mage Deshaya Awadi Karanu Mena student arts festival of nation-wide
conducted by University of Peradeniya.
The Best Drama Script Third Place1998Awarded for Devio Dunna Rajjuruwo play
text
The Best Book Lyrics Second Place 1997
The National Youth Award Festival Sri Lanka.
This was awarded for the Thaniwu
Doni lyrics
The Best Dramatic Production 1997
Bihidora Abhiyasa student arts festival of nation-wide conducted by University of
Kelaniya.
Awarded for Hadunagenima dramatic production
Lyrics Third Place1997
Mage Deshaya Awadi Karanu Mena student arts festival of nation-wide
conducted by University of Peradeniya
The Best Drama Script Second Place1996
Mage Deshaya Awadi Karanu Mena student arts festival of nation-wide
conducted by University of Peradeniya.
Awarded for Devio Dunna Rajjuruwo play
text
The Best Drama Script 1993(School Level)
Mage Deshaya Awadi Karanu Mena student arts festival of nation-wide
conducted by University of Peradeniya.
Awarded for Nala karayo play text
The Best Drama Script 1992 (School Level)
Mage Deshaya Awadi Karanu Mena student arts festival of nation-wide
conducted by University of Peradeniya. Awarded for Waduru Nuwana play text
Member of the State Drama Advisory Board (2020-2023), Sri Lankan Art Counci Member of the Jury: State Drama Festivals 2010, 2019-2020
Accreditation: Victorian Institute of Teaching (PT) Teacher Australia
NAATI Accredited Translator –National Accredited Authority for Translators and Interpreters Australia
Founding President of Australia Asia Performance Community InC. 2017-
Accredited voice actor SLBC 1995-
https://independent.academia.edu/nilukathilakarathne
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324187780_Representation_of_Trauma_in_Contemporary_Arts
https://aaa.org.hk/en/collections/search/library/trauma-dumith-kulasekara