Draft:Tharupathi Munasinghe


Tharupathi Munasinghe is a Sri Lankan ethnomusicologist, composer, and academic affiliated with the University of Melbourne. He works as a sessional academic and research assistant in the School of Culture and Communication, focusing on sound design, ethnomusicology, and performance studies.

Family

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Munasinghe's father, Austin Munasinghe, was a notable musicologist in Sri Lanka’s music industry, contributing to cinema, stage plays, and television.Tharupathi Munasinghe is married to Gayani Gisanthika,[1] an actress.

Academic Career

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At the University of Melbourne, Munasinghe conducts research on sound and cultural identity, particularly within diasporic communities. His studies examine how auditory memory influences identity among Sri Lankan migrants in Australia, with some findings published in academic journals.

Work in Music and Films

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Munasinghe has composed music for Sri Lankan films and television series, including The Invisible Moon (Amawaka) (2018), Sikuru Hathe (2006), and Dedunu Wessa (2005). He is also credited as a sound designer for the film Memories That Make Us (2022).

Tharupathi Munasinghe
 
Born (1975-09-03) 3 September 1975 (age 49)
Other namesTisara, Munasinghe Arachchi Lekalmlage
Citizenship
Education
Alma mater
Occupations
Years active1998–present
Spouse
Parents
Websitehttps://www.tharupathimunasinghe.com/

Awards

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Year Work/Production Award/Achievement
2021 Shabdika Cinamawa (Sound Design in Cinema - Theory and Practice)[2] Best publication - State Literary Award (Film and Television), State Literary Festival, Sri Lanka.
2020 Sulanga Maha Meraka[3] Best Music Director - Raigam Tele's Award
2014 Cultural Exchange (Various contributions to music) 'BUNKA' Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Award - Recognized for promoting cultural exchange between Japan and Sri Lanka.[4]

Publications

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Munasinghe has authored several books in Sinhala on sound studies in Sri Lankan cinema and theater:

  • Sound in Cinema (Shabdika Cinemawa) (2020), which won the State Literary Award for film and television literature.
  • Trends in Sinhalese Theatre Music 1956-1996 (2018), exploring developments in Sinhalese theater music.
  • Discussions on Sound (Nada Sankathana) (2017), on the cultural role of sound in Sri Lanka.

References

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  1. ^ "Topcount". www.topcount.co. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  2. ^ "SHABDIKA CINAMAWA - HC - ISBN 9553120814 | Buy Online at Sarasavi". www.sarasavi.lk. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  3. ^ "Sudath returns with 'Sulanga Mahameraka'". The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  4. ^ "Five Sri Lankan artistes honoured with Bunka (cultural) awards | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2024-11-10.