Arts
Giving pulse to female drummers
Traditionally, drumming is an art that has been mainly confined to men. Breaking barriers and setting new boundaries to this old art form, ‘Thuuryaa’ is the first ever women’s drums ensemble in Sri Lanka.
Starting their journey by performing for a Leo district conference in 2014, it was Thilak Weerasinghe, the head of the Percussion Music Department of the University of Visual and Performing Arts who suggested that the group comprising past and present university students, should not stop with that performance but continue. To support themselves and sustain their efforts, the original nine members of ‘Thuuryaa’ all in their 20s even performed on trains in those early days.
Marking their first milestone in Sri Lankan traditional drumming, they held ‘Thuuryaa 2015’ on February 10 at the Pani Bharatha Auditorium of the University of Visual & Performing Arts. Participating in the 18th Global Female Folk and Dance competition and carnival held in Punjab, India in 2015, the group was placed first in the best music category and also won the first place in the competition.
Thuuryaa is now getting ready to have their second show mainly with the support of their parents and the University, music director Sriyan Chandrasekara. In spite of financial and other constraints, team leader Sithara Maduwanthi proudly says that her team is supportive of each other and are confident of their upcoming show although the training is quite rigorous.
The ten-member group includes D.D. Sithara Maduwanthi (Band Leader), Tharuka Sewwandhi, Nadheeka Asuranadha, Chamini Anurudika, Sandhuni Chathurangi, Shalini Yashodha, Hashani Siriwardhana, Chathurika Sandaruwani, Chethani Rathnayaka and Osheen Shachini. Though some of their members have graduated they use the University as their base. Their music director is C.M.B Sriyan Chandrasekara and their music crew comprises Chamila Sangeeth (Keyboard), Supun C. Jayalath (Saxophone) while their traditional drumming instructors are Ravibandu Vidyapathi and Ruwan Jayashantha.
The show, ‘Thuuuryaa Live in Colombo 2016’ will include eight items. These are tribal- rhythm of the human body, gandabbi – a mix of traditional drums and dance, athyaa- a special performance by Thuryaa featuring a guest spot by senior lecturer Waidayawathi Rajapaksha and composed by Ravibandu Vidyapathi, frame – composed with a special instrument called “Framed Drum” which depicts the plight of women in the world, trio – a combination of western drums and congas, flamenco- a mix of flamenco music and rhythm with cajun, rhythm of Lanka – an item comprising the different local drums and finally, fusion – a mix of Sri Lankan, Indian, African and western instruments.
Thuuryaa Live in Colombo 2016, will be held on December 6, at 7 p.m. at Nelum Pokuna. Tickets priced at Rs. 1000, Rs. 2000 and Rs. 3000 are available on tickets.lk