Manoj Alawathukotuwa : Department of Fine Arts

Dr. Manoj Sumeda Bandara Alawathukotuwa

Office address:

Department of Fine Arts,
University of Peradeniya,
Peradeniya,
Sri Lanka.

Email: alawathukotuwa@yahoo.com

alawathukotuwa.manoj@gmail.com

Phone: +94777627931

Biography

Manoj Alawathukotuwa received his BA and MPhil degrees from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and PhD in University of New Delhi, India. As a Trained musician, he has composed several music compositions for Sri Lanka renowned musicians. He has published several research papers on Sri Lankan music, presented research papers both in local and international conferences. His research interests are North Indian Music, Ethnomusicology and Musical influences on Sri Lankan music. He is the current Head of the Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Academic Qualifications

*Doctor of Philosophy Degree –Research (2010-2013)
Department of Music, University of Delhi, India
Research Topic- Evolution of sound Recording techniques and their impact on Sri Lankan Music
Supervisor – Prof. Ojesh Prathap Singh, Department of Music, University of Delhi, India

Postgraduate
*M Phil (Fine Arts) – Research degree (2003 -2009)
Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
Research Topic: “Influence of western Music in Sri Lankan Music during 20th Century”
Supervisor : Late Professor D.P.M. Weerakkody, Department of Western Classics, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Undergraduate
*Bachelor of Arts (Honors) (1998 – 2002) (Second Class Upper Division)
Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Other Examinations Passed
*National examination in Dancing and Music, 1993 (Intermediate level) - Conducted by the Department of Examination, Sri Lanka.

*Western Music and speech examination (Theory and Practical)– Level 3, 2005 - Conducted by Institute of western music and Speech Sri Lanka.

*Visharadha part one Instrumental, 1999 - Conducted by the Bhathkande sangit Vidyapith, Loknow 1996.

*English Communication, Conducted by the University of Warwick, England 1992.

Appointments (Selected)

Present Employments

*Head, Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya from 02nd June 2013 to date

*Chairman, Arts Council, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya from 2017

*Director of the project of "Preservation of Endangered Traditional & Indigenous Ritual Music & Dance Forms, Related Oral Expression and Craftmanship that cut Across the Ethnic Dicide in Sri Lanaka", Funded by the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), USA , Grant No: SAQMMA16GR0026, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka from 2016-2019.

*Senior Lecturer (fulltime, permanent staff) – Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya ,Sri Lanka. 2006.01.28 to up to date

Employment History

*Vice-Chairman, Arts Council, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya from 18th March 2016 to February 2017

*Coordinator, Special Needs Resource Center, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya from 02nd November 2010 to June 2011.

*Senior Student Counselor of the University of Peradeniya from 2018,2011 and 2010

*Visiting Lecturer- Faculty of Performing Arts, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka from 2009.09.12 to 12. 11. 2011.

*Visiting Lecturer- Faculty of Performing Arts, Sripali Campus, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka from 2005.09.05 to 10.06.2010.

Fellowships and Grants

* ISLE Wilhelm Fellowship 2011, a Competitive graduate fellowship awarded by the Intercollegiate Sri Lankan Education (ISLE) program, a program between Bowdon College, USA and University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2011- 2013).
* National Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Science (NCES) Grant 2010 Sri Lanka
* International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Development Bureau Fellowship 2009, Geneva , Switzerland

Research Interests

* North Indian Music, Musicology and Ethnomusicology

Research Publications

Books:

* Alawathukotuwa M.S.B., 2004: Musical Signs of folk dramas in Sri Lanka (Sinhala Medium), Published by Godage Brothers Colombo.

Editorials :

1.Editor of the Fine Arts Journal “Signs”. ISSN No 2449-0199.Volume- 01. First Issue. January-June. 2016

Journal Articles :

1. Alawathukotuwa. M.S.B (2017). " The Influence of Sound Recording Techniques on Music in Sri Lanka". The Sri Lankan Journal of Humanities. Nandaka Kalugampitiya and Rohana Senevirathne (Ed). Vol. 41. Issue 1-2, 2017 December. University of Peradeniya. Pages 26-45.

2. Alawathukotuwa. M.S.B., (2016). “Western Music Education in Sri Lanka”. Sangeeth: Journal of the Eastern Music Education. Nishad Handun Pathirana (Ed). Vol-1. August Bathtaramulla: Education Department. 40-67 pages.

3. Alawathukotuwa Manoj., (2016). “A Musicological Study on Sinhala Song” -3rd part. Gaveshana, Godwin Kodithuwakku and others (Ed). 2016 final issue. Colombo: Institute for Research and Development. 26-28 pages.

4. Alawathukotuwa Manoj., (2016). “A Musicological Study on Sinhala Song” -2nd part. Gaveshana, Godwin Kodithuwakku and others (Ed). 25th issue. 2016 January-April. Colombo: Institute for Research and Development. 30-31 pages.

5. Alawathukotuwa Manoj., (2015). “A Musicological Study on Sinhala Song” -1st part. Gaveshana, Godwin Kodithuwakku and others (Ed). 2015 May-August issue. Colombo: Institute for Research and Development. 32-34 pages.

6. Alawathukotuwa Manoj., (2015). “A Musicological Study on Sinhala Song”. Gaveshana, Godwin Kodithuwakku (Ed). 24th Issue. May-August. Colombo: Institute for Research and Development. 32-35 pages.

7. Alawathukotuwa Manoj., (2015). “Influence of Rabindra Sangeeth on Sri Lankan Sinhala Music”. Happenings.

8. Alawathukotuwa. M.S.B., (2014). “A study of the Western Influence on Sri Lankan Film Music”. Sambhawana. Mangala Dissanayake and Others (Ed). Volume- 8. July-December. Peradeniya: Faculty of Arts. 52-66 pages.

9. Alawathukotuwa M.S.B., 2008. “Music of Dalada Procession”, sacred culture of the Tooth relic of the Lord Buddha. D.R. Herath and others, Ed. Kandy: Council of central province, December. 31-39 pages.

10. Alawathukotuwa M.S.B., 2007. “Dalada Procession and its Communication”, Sacred culture of the Tooth relic of the Lord Buddha. D.R. Herath and others, Ed. Kandy: Council of central province, December. 35-44 pages.

11. Alawathukotuwa M.S.B., 2005: Music and Communication (Sinhala Medium).Madya wimarshi. No 04 University of Kelaniya. PP75-83.

12. Alawathukotuwa M.S.B., 2004. Music used in Funeral rights of Sinhalese Buddhists in Sri Lanka an Ethnomusicological study (Sinhala Medium). Induwara sociological research journal. No 02, PP 377-388.

Creative Works

1. Composed melody for the Central Province Grama Sanwardhana song in 2014.

2. Composed melody for the Song Iwure nama Liyamu, wich in on the CD Mahasen Dehena in 2011.

3. Composed the melody for the 50th Anniversary song of the Peoples Bank in 2011.

4. “ Hantanen Ena pawanak” Music CD, IRQUE Project, 2008.

5. “Rawana Dehena” Music CD, Rawana Brothers in 2006.

6. “Sinhala Kavi Nadagam Gee”, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya in 2006.

7. Composed melody for the song Tawadink motada of the cassette of record Turunu shakthi-2 released by National Youth Services Council, Singlanka Recordings Colombo, 2000.

8. Composed melody for the song Sapa Nokalamena of the cassette of record Malata Renu released by the eminent Sri Lankan artistes Visharada Nanda Malini, Singlanka Recordings Colombo, 1999.

Music Composed for Theatre Productions :

1. Music composed for the Subha drama, that was directed by Dr. Kanchuka Dharmasiri, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya in 2015.

2. Music composed for the play “Thatta Gaikawa”, directed by Dr. Kanchuka Dharmasiri, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya in 2015.

Music Composed for Short Films :

1. Composed music track for the video documentary to sensitize the farming community and Public on CKDu.

2. Music Directed and composed for the Tele drama Urumaya Soya (In search of the Heritage) produced by the Department of Agriculture Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya in 2000.

Papers Presented

Papers Presented at an International National Conferences :

1. Alawathukotuwa. Manoj., (2018). " Impact of Recording Technology on Sri Lankan Folk Music". AIMS 2018 International Conference Artistic Interspaces of Malayasia Symposium. Universiti Teknologi, Mara, Malayasia and Department of Fine Arts, University of Fine Arts, Peradeniya Sri Lanka. 8th and 9th November 2018. Page 08.

2. Alawathukotuwa. Manoj., (2015). “Sound without Fury: The Decline of an Isolated Community of Drum-Makers in Central Sri Lanka. ICH 2015 International Conference on the Humanities: New Dynamics, Divergences, Directions” Inaugural Conference. The faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya. 21, 22 May 2015. Page 27.

3. Alawathukotuwa. Manoj and Kanchuka Dharmasiri., (2015). “The Collaborative Process of Trans creating Subha”. Peradeniya University International Research Sessions 2015. Volume 19. 5th and 6th November 2015. Page 432.

4. Alawathukotuwa M.S.B., (2010). “Traditional Technology and Customs behind the Process of Making Drums as a Cultural Heritage in Sri Lanka”. Conference of the Cultural Heritage of Performing Arts over Future Internet, KAIST Graduate School of Culture Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea, October 2010.

5. Alawathukotuwa M.S.B.,(2009). “An Ethno-Archeological Study of Drum Making in Sri Lanka”. Conference Proceedings, The City University of New York, September 2009. Page 09.

6. Alawathukotuwa M.S.B.,(2008). “Embedding Western Music Instruments in Sri Lankan Temple Paintings of the Life Of the Lord Buddha(Music Iconographic study)” Conference Proceedings, Otago University, New Zealand, June 2008.Page 01.

Papers Presented at National Conferences :

1. Alawathukotuwa Manoj., (2012). “A Study of the North Indian Singing Styles and Their Influence on Sri Lankan Light Music”. The Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka 5th Research Conference. 30th and 31st March 2012. Page 01.

2. Alawathukotuwa. Manoj., (2008). “The Compositions of Premasiri Kemadasa: Can they be called Symphonies? Peradeniya university Research Sessions, December 2008, Page 75.

3. Alawathukotuwa M.S.B.,(2005). “An Ethnomusicological study of Gypsy music in Sri Lanka” Peradeniya university Research Sessions, Proceedings and abstracts, November 2005. Page 31.

4. Alawathukotuwa M.S.B.,(2005). “A study of Musical elements depicted in the social Hierarchy in sinhala popular Buddhism”, Post graduates Research Symposium 2005, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, 06th January 2005. Page 26.

5. Alawathukotuwa M.S.B.,(2005). “A Study of the Western Impact on Sri Lankan Song”, Peradeniya university Research Sessions, November 2006. Page 26.

6. Alawathukotuwa M.S.B.,(2005). “A Study of the Western Musical Techniques used in Sinhala Light Songs during 20th Century”, Peradeniya University Research Sessions, November 2006. Pages 365-366.

7. Alawathukotuwa M.S.B.,(2003). “Music used in Funeral rights of Sinhalese Buddhists in Sri Lanka an Ethnomusicological study”, Peradeniya University Research Sessions, October 2003. Page 34.

8. Alawathukotuwa M.S.B.,(2004). “An Ethnomusicological study of Drum making in Sri Lanka” Conference Proceedings, Peradeniya University, Sri Lanka, October 2004. Page 41.

Workshops

International Workshops and Study Tours

1. Represented Sri Lanka in the ITU Asia-Pacific Forum on Mainstreaming ICT Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities, organized by the International Telecommunication Union and National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre Bangkok, Thailand from 18th August to 27th August 2009.

2. Attended as a ‘Resources Person to represent music in Sri Lanka. Workshop Title: “Art for All, All for Peace” (September, 2005) at Keang Kracharn Country club and Resort, Petchburi province, Thailand in 2005.

Local Workshops

1.Participated as a resource Person in the six day residential training course on Braille Music Notation as Applied to Western Music, organized by the Special Needs Recourse Centre University of Peradeniya in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka.

Committee Memberships

University Level

1. Committee of the University Arts Council from 2014 to 2015.

2. Convener of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations sub-committee: Logo Committee 2016.

3. Committee Member of the Technical Evolution Committee to the Centre for Distance & Continuing Education 2016.

4. Committee Member of the Technical committee to Establish of an Audio Visual Centre for University of Peradeniya from 2015.

5. Treasure of the of Arts faculty teachers union (FUTA) from 2010.09.18

6. Member of the University Research Sessions of the University of Peradeniya from 2007.

7. Executive Committee Member of the Alumni Association of University of Peradeniya in 2007.

8. Person in charge of the IRQUE Project Under the cultural Activities of the University of Peradeniya in 2007.

9. Member of the University Convocation Committee of the University of Peradeniya from 2002.

Faculty Level

1. Committee of the Programme Committee of the International conference of the Humanities and the Social Sciences (ICHSS- 2017), Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya.

2. Committee of the Ceremonial Committee of the International conference of the Humanities and the Social Sciences (ICHSS- 2017), Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya.

3. Committee member of the Committee to organize event to appreciate Artists who have produced songs about the University of Peradeniya to make the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations 2017.

4. Chairperson of the Arts council, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya for a period of three years with effect from 28th January 2016.

5. Member of the Faculty Academic development and quality assurance committee for the period of three years with effect from 28th January 2016.

6. Member of the Faculty IT committee for a period of three years with effect from 28th January 2016.

7. Member of the Faculty Publication committee for a period of three years with effect from 28th January 2016.

8. Member of the Faculty Research committee for a period of three years with effect from 28th January 2016.

9. Member of the Committee to prepare a proposal on Disability Access to the Buildings of the Faculty of Arts 2015.