Dinesh Subasinghe (born 10 July 1979) is a Sri Lankan composer, violinist, and music producer. He composed Karuna Nadee, a Buddhist oratorio,[1] and re-introduced a lost, ancient musical instrument known as the ravanahatha to Sri Lanka.[2][3][4] He is also a film and television composer whose works integrate western and eastern classical music with electronic music, Buddhist music, folk music, traditional orchestral arrangements, and world music genres.[5] From 2002 to 2009 he led the pop classical band, Dee R Cee Members.[4][6]
Subasinghe received the Toyp Award Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) in 2016 for his contribution to Sri Lankan arts.[8] In 2018 he received the 'Asia Inspiration Award' at the 2nd south Asian youth summit.[9][10] In 2019 he received the 'India Peace Prize' at the 3rd south Asian Youth summit in New Delhi India.[11]
He did the music score for Sudu Andagena Kalu Awidin teledrama and directed music of 'Tone Poem'/Baila sade & Imorich tunes musical series.[12][13]
Early life
Subasinghe was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1979. He studied at St Peter's College, Colombo and Maris Stella College in Negombo.[4] He began playing music at a very young age. He studied music under Samantha Amarajeewa, Janaki Disanayaka, Christal Luduwike, and Patrick Master at his school and in the city. He also studied with B. Victor Perera, Mahinda Senivirathan, Kalani Perera, V.Hemapala Perera and Ananda Perera.[14]
In 2001 Subasinghe started learning western classical music under Ashoka Jayawardhana, Hasini Helpe (daughter of Briget and Ashly Helpe) and Annada Dabare. Later they assisted Subasinghe in joining the Sri Lankan Symphony Orchestra.[15]
He became a member of composer Stanley Peiris's orchestra.[16][17][18] Subasinghe worked under the Sri Lankan composer Premasiri Khemadasa for eight years and led the orchestra for Khemdasa's opera Agni (2007–2008). From 2001 to 2005 he was a member of Sri Lankan musical groups led by Dumindu Kadigamuwa, Harsha Bulathsinghala, Janananth Warakagoda, and Dilup Gabadamudalige.[6][19]
Khemadasa conducts Agni while Dinesh leads the orchestra
He began composing for television and film in 2004 when cinema director Chandrathna Mapitigama selected him to compose music for his television series Hummane.[20] In 2009 he received a scholarship from Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to study music under A. R. Rahman at the KM Music Conservatory in India.[21] At the conservatory, he won the Best Student Award in the instrumental section for violin.[22][23][24]
Dinesh Subasibghe with A.R.Rahman in KM Music Conservatory chennai 2010
Career
Classical music
Subasinghe has composed a Buddhist oratorio, Karuna Nadee,[25] as well as a symphony, trio, sonata, two a cappella pieces, a string quartet, a concerto for trumpet, and a piece for viola, The Dance of Salome.[26] His string quartet, Night Before The Battle, was selected by Joel Thome's Orchestra of Our Time from 100 compositions from the world.[27] He has composed music for 75 Sri Lankan television series, 13 films, and 16 stage plays[28][29][30]
Subasinghe was the first Sri Lankan to write a cappella pieces with Sri Lankan national themes for SATB choirs, including "The Princes of the Lost Tribe" for Menaka De Shabandu's choir[31] and "Ancient Queen of Somawathee" for Bridget Helpe's choir. The style of these compositions uses harmonies and a sound which is different from Western classical music traditions.[32][33][34]
Alternative rock music
Subasinghe led the alternative rock music band Dee R Cee and introduced rock music into several Sri Lankan television series.[35]
He performed at the 2011 Share the Love concert and on Rupavahini TV in February 2013 with the song "Ra Roo".[35]
YouTube record
Subasinghe released an alternative-rock song "E Kale: The One" with Charmika Sirimanne and Ranushka Fernando in 2013, along with its music video created by Ranushka Fernando.[36] It became the most viewed Sri Lankan music video on YouTube reaching more than 1.3 million viewers.[37]
Musician, music director, actor, tours
Subasinghe has played as a musician for local and international music directors and composers, in 2002 Subasinghe recorded violin caprice to portrait Musila in Guthila balade play composed by Diliup Gabadamudalige.Guthila's violin has performed by Subasinghe's Teacher & a veteran violinist Kalani perera.[38] Subasinghe worked for Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka from 2003 to 2005 as a Violinist.[14] He was a member of the South Indian Cinema Musicians Union.[39]
Subasinghe's first professional acting appearance was in Parapura by Cletus Menids in 2012. He performed a leading role on his music video E Kale: The One and played King Herod Antipas in the 2013 Paasku television series by Prem Fernando.[41]
He performed a series of concerts with Sri Lankan pop Bands Marians and Gypsies in 2019–2020.
Australia-Dinesh has toured with Del Studio musicians and performed in Melbourne & Sydney in Del Studio Australia tour in 2016,
United Kingdom-Dinesh performed in F.O.C. (Festival of Cricket) UK in 2017
New Zealand & Australia in 2020 Subasinghe performed with famous sri-lankan pop band Marians in 'Thaala' concert series along with Sr Lankan rock star Chitral Somapala. Concerts were held in Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney in month of February and March 2020.[43]
Kuwait in 2023 with Commercial Bank, the celebration 20 years of remittance operations in Kuwait [44]
Collaborations with International Music
With South Indian Cine Musicians
in 2009 during the academic stay in India Dinesh was invited to play with the South Indian Cine Musicians Union. He has been selected by late Das Daniel in KM Music conservatory. Dinesh got the temporally Membership of the Union and played for many south Indian & Bollywood movie background music scores as a violinist. In this time he met many veteran string players from Madras String Quartet M. Kalyan, N.S. Narasiman, Shekar.[20]
Subasinghe participated in a joint Sadaham Sevana musical concert with Korea and India on 4 July 2011.[45] He composed Mist of a Mountain, a tribute piece for Eastern Asia and has participated in many religious music projects around South Asia.[22][46][47]
O'Connor Method in New York (2015/16)
In 2015 and 2016 Dinesh participated in the O'Connor Method Summer Camp in New York which was conducted by violinist Mark O'Connor.[48][49][50]
Subasinghe with Grammy winning Mark O'Connor & Maggie O'Connor During his Ravanahatha performance in New York 2016
'T(H)REE'-A Musical Journey From Portugal To Asia (2016/17)'
Dinesh has taken part in an audio album which was a collaboration with Portugal's pop band Cla. The track is part of an album called 'T(H)REE-A Musical Journey From Portugal To Asia'. T(H)REE is a project that has been collaborating with Asian musicians and Portugal. The Portuguese Musicians are Cla, Peixe, Amelia Muge and Old Jerusalem, from Asia there are Indus Creed (India), Mangka (India), Dinesh Subasinghe (Sri Lanka), Sherine Tohamy, Mohammed Haddad (Bahrain), Mohichehra (Uzbekistan), Magic of Nomads (Kazakhstan). The album was produced by Portuguese producer David Valentim.[53][54][55][56]
Dinesh Subasinghe Performing a Kora LuteSubasinghe, Ven.Rathana with Ravibandu, Chinese spiritual performing team in Chan & Tea Spiritual Music program 2016
Chan & Tea Concert with Chinese Buddhist musicians (2016)
He composed a ballad theme music for Sri Lankan act in the 'Chan and Tea' concert at Nelumpokuna in 2016, Choreography part has been created by Ravibandu Vidyapathi, the program was a presidential event to enhance spiritual development between China and Sri Lanka.[57]
2nd South Asian Youth Summit (2018) He has participated and performed with his Tone poem team in the South Asian Youth Summit held in Colombo with a participation of 35 countries. He has been invited by the president of the International Youth Service society Dr. K K Sing & Dinesh was honored in the ceremony with a token of appreciation for the contribution he has made in the event, also he won the Asia Inspiration award in this ceremony for his contribution to the South Asian youth music & Arts.
Subasinghe Winning the Asian Inspiration Award 2019
Dee R Cee Members
From 2002 to 2009 Subasinghe led the pop classical bands, Dee R Cee and Dinesh and Friends.[4] The other members of Dee R Cee were singers Ranuka Sudam and Chandumal Samapriya.[6] Their music encompassed multiple genres, including pop, alternative rock, cinema music, Hindustan classical, country and western, baila and 1970s music. Hemanalin Karunarathne invited Dee R Cee members to direct music for television programs on the Swarnawahini TV network including Hansa vila, Haa haa pura, Gee TV, and Christmas Night 2005.[58] Dee R Cee members also appeared on Sirasa TV and Derana TV providing music for Looks Like, Auto Plus, Hansavilla, Mathra, and Christmas programmes in 2006 and 2007, and a Valentine's Day programme on Derana TV.[28]
In 2007, Subasinghe used the ancient instrument the ravanahatha to Sri Lanka on his album Rawan Nada, comprising 12 instrumentals and background vocals.[59][60] The ravanahatha (ravanhatta, rawanhattha, ravanastron, or ravana hasta veena) is a bowed fiddle popular in Western India. It is believed to have originated among the Hela civilisation of Sri Lanka at the time of King Ravana.[61][62]
Legend of Sri Lankan Ravanhatha, previous Sri Lankan President (holding a Ravanahatha) and Venerable Rathna Thero
Ravana Nada is the first recording to include music played on the ravanahatha,[28] although it had appeared in films as a visual item. On this CD Subasinghe performed with a slightly different version of the instrument. He also played it on A. R. Rahman's Rhyme Skool with Katrina Kaif, which was narrated by Kaif, and for some Indian Tamil movie music.,[30][63]
In addition to the ravanahatha, Subasinghe is reviving another ancient bowed instrument called the kingiri.[15][59][64]
Since 2007 Subasinghe has tried to discover the similarity between the Ravan and the Kingri (string instrument).[28][65] He has mentioned to the media that the instrument is discussed the book by Abele and Niederheitmann translated by John Broadhouse The Violin: Its History & Construction, Illustrated & described, From Many Sources published by William Reeves in London between 1900 and 1930.
In the same year he asked the Cultural Minister Mahinda Yapa Abewardhana to have his staff research the history of the ravanahatha. He feels that it is important that Sri Lanka claim the rights for this ancient fiddle.[28]
Subasinghe's version of the ravanahatha has been referred to by Michael Ondaatje the Canadian novelist and poet who won the Booker Prize for his novel The English Patient. His brother, Sir Christopher Ondaatje, in an article on the ravanahatha, cites it as the mother of today's violin.[66]
Subasinghe's Rawan Nada album set a record as the highest selling instrumental music CD in Sri Lanka.[28][29] Released on the Tharanga label, owned by Vijay Ramanayaka, the CD was Dinesh's first solo album and the first solo album using this historical instrument. It sold 16,000 copies between the years 2009 and 2015.[29]
Dinesh started using Ravanahatha for his musical compositions and became a modern composer who use this isolated instrument in cinematic and commercial music[67]
Buddhist oratorio, Karuna Nadee
In 2010, Subasinghe composed Karuna Nadee (River of Kindness) an oratorio for chorus and orchestra based on the life of Buddha.[68] According to the Sri Lankan newspaper The Daily Mirror, it is the first Buddhist oratorio and the first musical work based on Buddha's life and philosophy[25] since Premasiri Khemadasa's cantataPirinivan Mangalya, a requiem based on Buddha's Parinirvana.[25] However, the American composer Dudley Buck composed an oratorio on the life of Buddha, The Light of Asia, which was first performed in 1887.[69] Buddhist texts have also been incorporated into two other western oratorios, Somei Satoh's 1987 Stabat Mater and Jonathan Harvey's 2011 Weltethos.[70][71]
The oratorio consists of 12 pieces of music and, according to the Daily News, is composed in "Far Eastern, Sri Lankan, Indian, and Western classical styles".[68] It also includes a Buddhist chant in the background, as well as elements from Tibetan music and folk and pop genres.[72] It was his first major work since coming home for a break from the A. R. Rahman Academy in India.[5] Buddhist monk Athuraliye Rathana Thero and Negombo astrologer Ranushka Fernando contributed ideas to the conceptualization of the work.[72][73] The work, with Subasinghe playing some of the music has been released on CD.[59][74][75][76]
Subasinghe has composed music for Sri Lankan Passion plays.[77] His music for these plays combines a variety of styles and genres, including Gregorian chant, western classical music, Portuguese music, and Sri Lankan folk music.[46] In 2000, Sri Lanka's Catholic Media Unit and Tower Hall Theater Foundation organised a passion play cultural programme at Negombo, where they assembled all the traditional passion play drama teams from all parts of the country. Subasinghe was appointed music director for the programme.
In 1999, 2000, and 2001, Sri Lankan dramatist, Peter Wellambage, Subasinghe and composer Jayantha Modarage, participated in the production of a modern Sri Lankan passion play, Kurusiya Matha Miyadunemi, performed in the Katuwapitiya and Bolawalana villages in Negombo.[78] Subasinghe created the music for the passion play Aho mage senageni performed in 2003 and 2007 in Helpe, Katana near Negombo. It was directed by Alexius Fernando and used the traditional Oberammergau Passion Play costumes for the first time in a Sri Lankan passion play. He has since continued his involvement with the Aho mage senageni project.
In 2008, Subasinghe composed music for an audio remake of the 1970s Katu Otunna stage drama audio CD and Duwa historic passion play which is based on the story of Jesus and was directed by Clement Fernadao.[62] In 2012, 18 Sri Lankan cinema and television stars participated in the passion play Sri Kurusawalokanaya Thambakanda, which was produced by Pream Fernanado and directed by Peter Wellambage with music by Subasinghe. Jeewan Kumaranatunga played the role of Jesus. In 2013, Subasinghe composed music for the passion play in St Anthony's Church in Dalupotha, Negombo.
Subasinghe composed the music for the 2013 television film based on the life of Jesus, Jesu Christu Yuga Peraliya, produced by Prem Fernando.[41] He also served as assistant director and script editor, and played the role of Herod Antipas. Jewan Kumarathunga played the role of Jesus while Ravindra Randeniya played Pontius Pilate. More than 25 Sri Lankan cinema and television stars participated.[79]
Subasinghe has composed music for 94 teledramas,[96] 17 movie scores, 21 stage plays, 11 documentaries, 14 audio albums,11 Musical Series's etc. He has become the youngest composer to write 75 teledrama scores for Sri Lankan TV media. Subasinghe received the 2012 best music director Sumathi award for his creations in 'Pinsara Dosthara' becoming the youngest to receive the prestigious award in the award's 18-year history.
The music of Sri Lanka has its roots in five primary influences: ancient folk rituals, Hindu religious traditions, Buddhist religious traditions, the legacy of European colonisation, and the commercial and historical influence of nearby Indian culture—specifically, Kollywood cinema and Bollywood cinema.
A ravanahatha is an ancient bowed, stringed instrument, used in India, Sri Lanka, and surrounding areas. It has been suggested as an ancestor of the violin.
Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe, is a Sri Lankan musician, composer and singer.
Bibiladeniye Mahanama Thero is a Buddhist monk of the Theravada Order. The thero is the only Buddhist priest in Asia of the Theravada order to actively engage in the experimentation and the creative exploration of music as a form of aesthetic expression. The thero has been actively engaged with the art, both on overseas projects as well as in Sri Lanka for nearly two decades.
Tharawo Igilethi is a Sinhalese stage drama by Lucien Bulathsinhala, based on the twin brothers story on Singapore Country. This drama is directed and produced by Lucien Bulathsinhala. The play made a comeback after ten years as a new production in 2018. Music is produced by Gunadasa Kapuge.
This is the discography of Dinesh Subasinghe, a Sri Lankan composer, violinist, instrumentalist, music director and record producer, who has released three solo studio albums. Subasinghe has also released seven music videos, including four with his music group Dee R Cee.
Sihinaya Dige Enna (Come along the dream) (Sinhala: සිහිනය දිගේ එන්න) is a 2012 Sri Lankan musical romantic film directed by Chandrarathne Mapitigama and produced by Samantha Ranasinghe. It stars Amila Abeysekara and Udari Warnakulasooriya in lead roles along with Sanath Gunathilake and Veena Jayakody. Music composed by Dinesh Subasinghe.
"E Kale " is a single composed by Dinesh Subasinghe featuring Charmika Sirimanne released on January 21st, 2012.
Kingri is a chordophone bowed string instrument originating from the Indian subcontinent, similar to Rabab and Ravanastron. It has a resonator box of unglazed pottery, through which a stick is passed to function as the neck.
Share The Love is a contemporary new age music relaxation album by Sri Lankan Spiritual Music Composer Rev. Bibiladeniye Mahanama, released on March 10, 2014. These twelve meaningful, well researched music compositions are mainly for the concentration of the human mind, and its theme “Share The Love” was adapted for the sole purpose of, to love the environment as thyself.
Sri Lankan PassionPlays are the more than 300-year-old Sri Lankan tradition of presenting Passion Plays on stage. Negombo is the main city preserving this form of traditional drama. There is another tradition, known as 'Wasapuwa', which involves performing Saint Sebastian's life story. It is very popular among both Christians and non-Christians in Sri Lanka; however, its roots can not be found in the island.
Rhyme Skool is a two-part audio CD album of common nursery rhymes narrated by Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif. The album was produced by KM Music Conservatory and the Saregama Production Company. A. R. Rahman supervised the music, which was composed and orchestrated by his students at the KM Music Conservatory.
Kalpanthe Sihinayak is a 2014 Sri Lankan fantasy thriller film directed by Channa Perera and produced by Perly Wijesinghe, Sunethra Balasuriya, Harsha Gamaethige and Asela Amarasiri. It stars Channa Perera and debutant Indian actress Chaithra Chandranth in lead roles along with Sanath Gunathilake and Hemasiri Liyanage. Music co-composed by Rohana Weerasinghe and Dinesh Subasinghe. It is the 1115th Sri Lankan film in the Sinhala cinema.
Ho Gana Pokuna (The Singing Pond) (Sinhala: හෝ ගානා පොකුණ) is a 2015 Sri Lankan children's musical drama film written and directed by Indika Ferdinando. It depicts a teacher in a remote village, Uma (Anasuya Subasinghe), teaching her students to focus on something they have never seen before.
WarigaPojja is a 2014 Sri Lankan adventure film, directed by Thushara Thennakoon and produced by the Sri Lanka Women's Development Services Cooperative Society Ltd. It stars Nadeesha Nilukshi and Jagath Manuwarna in lead roles along with Somaweera Gamage and Nayana Hettiarachchi. Music composed by Dinesh Subasinghe.
Hiru Golden Film Awards is an award bestowed to distinguished individuals involved with the Sri Lanka's silver screen, awarded by the Asia Broadcasting Corporation, Sri Lanka and organised by Hiru TV, in recognition of the contributions made by them to the Sri Lankan cinema industry. First commenced in 2014, is held every two years, Hiru Golden Film Awards ceremony is one of the most popular cinematic program events in Sri Lanka. The ceremony was held thrice with the participation of popular Bollywood film stars along with Sri Lanka's finest stars together.
Nikini Vassa (August Drizzle) (Sinhala: නිකිණි වැස්ස) is a 2013 Sri Lankan Sinhala drama film directed by Aruna Jayawardana and produced by Dr Kusumsiri De Silva. It stars Chandani Seneviratne and Jagath Manuwarna in lead roles along with Thumindu Dodantenna and Bimal Jayakodi. Music composed by Nadeeka Guruge. It is the 1190th Sri Lankan film in the Sinhala cinema. The film had positive reviews from international and local critics and won many international awards as well.
Kaushalya Fernando, is a Sri Lankan actress, director, producer and civil activist. Fernando is a five-time winner of the prestigious best actress award at the State Drama festival. She is the daughter of popular theatre director late Somalatha Subasinghe.
Vedi Nowadina Lamai is a 2023 Sri Lankan Sinhala black comedy, musical thriller film directed by Indika Ferdinando and produced by Deepa Edirisinghe for Deep Motion Pictures as an EAP Film. It has ensemble cast of Kalana Gunasekara, Anasuya Subasinghe, Jayalath Manoratne, Hemasiri Liyanage, Dayadewa Edirisinghe, Mahendra Perera, Anula Bulathsinhala and Ashan Dias It is the last film acted by late dramatist Jayalath Manoratne.
↑ Perera, Mahes (29 August 2010). "September Song". Sunday Observer. Colombo, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 20 November 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
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