‘Thuryaa’, Sri Lanka’s first ever all-female percussion band is undoubtedly a revolutionary milestone in the history of Sri Lankan percussion art. Sharing the rhythm of humanity, ‘Thuryaa Live in Colombo 2016’ will be held on 6 December at 7p.m. at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre.
‘Thuryaa’ women’s drums ensemble brought pride to Sri Lanka, recently, by winning first place in the best music category, and also, first place in the recent 18th Global Female Folk and Dance competition and carnival, held in Punjab, India at the University of Lovely Professional. Housed within the walls of the University of Visual and Performing Arts, the all-female ensemble was formed with ten talented undergraduate minds. Shaping with the essences of Kandyan, Low country and Sabaragamu traditions of Sri Lankan percussion art, Thuryaa’s ultimate goal is to explore and develop a novel trend in the Lankan percussion art scene.
Sithara Maduwanthi, the leader of ‘Thuryaa’ was the first female student enrolled in the percussion music department of the University of Visual and Performing Arts. It is a known fact that percussion music is an art form dominated by men, and until Sithara stepped into the scene at the University of Visual and Performing Arts, the percussion music department was known and dominated by male students. Although it was a challenging task, especially, to change the conservative mindsets in and out of the University, Sithara could lay the firm stepping stone with the support and guidance of Sriyan Chandrasekara, Lecturer in Tabla, University of Visual and Performing Arts and nine other young, enthusiastic, energetic female students, talented in percussion music, who came from all four corners of the island.
Going beyond the conceptual boundaries and challenging the existing trends of contemporary percussion music, ‘Thuryaa’ is the trailblazer of Sri Lankan percussion music, with a much more novel feminine theme, ‘Share the rhythm of humanity’.
The music direction is by Sriyan Chandrasekara. Sithara Maduwanthi (Leader), Tharuka Sewwandi, Nadeeka Asuranada, Chamini Anuruddhika, Sanduni Chathurangi, Shalini Yashodha, Hashani Siriwardhana, Chethani Rathnayake, Chathurika Sandaruwani and Oshin Sachini are the members of the band.
‘Thuryaa Live in Colombo 2016’ is their first public performance in the country, and will be an unforgettable event for music lovers, and a remarkable experience in the Sri Lankan percussion art scene.