Prof. Sanath nandasiri

 Prof. Sangeeth Nipun Herath Mudiyanselage Sanath

Nandasiri born on 15 February 1942.He is a Sri Lankan singer, musician, music director, composer and playback singer. He is the current Chancellor of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts in Sri Lanka. One of the iconic singers in Sri Lankan music, Nandasiri has received several awards for his compositions in a career spanning more than six decades. He also composed the music to Sandamalige Kathawa, the first TV serial on Rupavahini. He completed his primary education from Gothatuwa Maha Vidyalaya and St. Matthew's College, Dematagoda for O/Ls. Then he attended Mahabodhi Maha Vidyalaya for Advanced Level and finally Stafford College to study English. During school times, he excelled as an athlete as well as a Elle player. He was a good short distance runner and won trophies in the 100 meters. Nandasiri has one elder sister, one elder brother, one younger sister and one younger brother, Nimal Chandrasiri.

              

Nandasiri married singer Malkanthi Nandasiri née Peiris on 18 December 1971. He met Malkanthi during a vesak drama called 'Mara Parajaya' in 1967. They collaborated on songs before and after their marriage. When their son was born in 1971, he was a normal overweight child and put the name, Sanjaya Madhava. But the son died after three days. Their second child was a daughter, Nishamani Anuradha who was born February 14, 1974. Anuradha, also a musician, is currently back in Sri Lanka with her husband Nihal Wickramaedirisooriya.

Nandasiri first appeared on Sinhala Radio at the age of 13 in 1955. During this period, he got the opportunity to coop with Madawala S Ratnayake, Nanda Jayamanne, Karunaratne Abeysekera and Sanath Wimalaweera]. At the age of 17, he began studying the tabla instrument under D. R. Peiris soon after, where he was Peiris' first student at this class held at the YMBA Hall in Borella. He connected Nandasiri to his various radio and outdoor programs and got to participate in radio folk singing programs once a month. In 1960 at the age of 19, Nandasiri travelled to India to continue his studies at Bhatkhande Music Institute Deemed University. His teachers at the academy included Ustad Ahmed Jan Thirakwa, G. N. Nattu, Ustad Mokshut Ali, Pandit Hari Shankar Misra and Ustad Rahimmuddeen Khan Daga. While in India, Nandasiri composed several songs that appeared on Lucknow radio.

In 1965, he returned to Sri Lanka and joined the radio and started singing career. He was selected for the Government College of Music and was teaching at Uhana Maha Vidyalaya in Ampara on 7 September 1967. Then he applied for the position of University Lecturer, but did not call for the interview. However in 1974 with the help of I. M. R. A. Iriyagolle, Nandasiri joined the staff of University of Kelaniya as a lecturer. Nandasiri served as the head of music at the university from 1988 to 1992. Nandasiri took the Part I examination in vocal music and obtained first class at the "Nipun" examination in 1992 becoming the first Sri Lankan to achieve this task.

In 1972, Nandasiri recorded the song Mahada Veena which was included in the Soorya album titled 'Songs and Rhythms of Sri Lanka'. Further he recorded "Sanda Balanna" and "Gamey Kopi Kade" composed by Premasiri Khemadasa in the 70s which were well received and popular. In 1974, Nandasiri launched his first solo concert 'Swarna Kundala' which was later performed for more than 250 concerts. In 1979, he recorded his first full album with the same title of his concert "Swarna Kundala" for Gemtone. This included his popular songs "Kisiwak Nokiyana" and "Egodaha Kandey". After that he recorded three major albums for Singlanka 1980 and 1981 which included some of his best known songs such as "Eka Yayata Mal" and "Mama Nam Asayi". In addition, he has recorded songs for films most notably under the music direction of Premasiri Khemadasa.He is a very talented musician in sri lanka..He is one of my personal favourite character..