Draft:Tharupathi Munasinghe

Tharupathi's father, Austin Munasinghe,^[8] is a veteran composer. Thus, he was exposed to music from an early age, which played a vital role in Tharupathi's musical development.^[9]

Tharupathi experienced composition and orchestration in music, joining his father's orchestra. Further, he participated in various music competitions and sought formal musical education.^[10]

Tharupathi's family stemmed from music. His father, the Sri Lankan music composer Austin Munasinghe, and his mother, Achirawathie Yalagama, a dedicated music teacher, played pivotal roles in his career.^[11]

In 1996, Tharupathi became a member of Professor Sarachchandra's theater group. He played roles as a chorus member and music conductor in various productions like 'Maname,' 'Sinhabahu,' 'Mahasara,' and 'Rathnawalee,' .^[12]

He continued in his journey, winning the best music award for Arundathi at the State Drama Festival in 2000, organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.^[13] Tharupathi's achievements extended to the Youth Theatre Festival in 1999, winning the best music award for the same play, Arundathi. He was recognised for his music-directing talent at "Dhammarathna Hari Narakayi."^[6]

Tharupathi Munasinghe had composed and directed music across various entertainment platforms, including theater, cinema, and television.^[1]

In the realm of cinema, Tharupathi has composed musical scores for several films. His work includes compositions for films such as Wala Patala, Machan, and Sikuru Hathe.^[3]

Tharupathi's influence extends to television, too. Some of his well-recognized works in television include Sakisanda Eliyas, Sabanda Pubilis, Depath Nai, and Isuru Yogaya, among others.^[14]

Tharupathi Munasinghe has contributed to sound design, particularly in the fields of cinema and theater.^[15]

He had served as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Kelaniya. He had completed his Ph.D. at Deakin University, Australia, under the guidance of Professor Rohan Bastin.^[16] His Ph.D. research was focused on the Sri Lankan low-country drum and its role in diverse performing contexts.^[12]

Tharupathi Munasinghe's research encompasses diverse areas within music, sound studies, and ethnomusicology. His primary focus is on low-country drumming in Sri Lanka and its cultural significance. Additionally, he investigates the application of sound design in cinema and its impact on storytelling in visual media.^[17][12][18]

His research primarily covers two main areas:

1. Sound Design: The evolving trends in sound design and its impact on enhancing storytelling in visual media. His research highlights how sound design can create immersive experiences for viewers, making narratives more engaging.^[1][17]

2. Ethnomusicology: Conducts investigations into the memories and experiences of Sri Lankan migrants in Melbourne, with a specific focus on how music serves as a bridge between cultures and generations.^[18]

Tharupathi Munasinghe's research findings have been published in peer-reviewed journals. Some of his publications include:

• New Paradigms in Sound Design: an Effective Medium for Storytelling in Visual Media (2017): Published in "Prabha," Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya.^[19] This paper discusses the changing landscape of sound design in visual media and its potential as a potent storytelling tool.
• Audio Design: Creating Multi-Sensory Images for the Mind (2016): Published in "Roopavahini Sameeksha." This work explores the creation of sensory-rich experiences through audio design, offering insights into its artistic and emotional impact.^[20]
• Aural Mementoes: Memories of Sri Lankan Migrants in Melbourne (2016): Published in the "Journal of Aesthetics and Fine Arts." Tharupathi's research in this paper explores how music acts as a vessel for memories and cultural connections among Sri Lankan migrants in Melbourne.^[21]

Tharupathi Munasinghe is married to Gayani Gisanthika,^[22] an actress. They have two sons.

• Munasinghe, Tharupathi. (2020). "Sound in Cinema (Shabdika Cinemawa - ශාබ්දික සිනමාව)." Sarasavi Publishers. ISBN 978-955-2046-5 (Sinhalese Medium).^[28]
• Munasinghe, Tharupathi. (2018). "Trends in Sinhalese Theatre Music 1956-1996." - සිංහල නාට්‍ය සංගීතයේ ප්‍රවණතා 1956-1996, Sarasavi Publishers. ISBN 979-0-710009-06-6 (Sinhala Medium).^[29]
• Munasinghe, Tharupathi. (2017). "Discussions on Sound (Nada sankathana - නාද සංකථන - Sinhala Medium)." ISBN 978-955-38486-0-4.^[30]
• Munasinghe, Tharupathi. (2017). "Sound Studies: With Special Reference to Sri Lankan Sonic Experience." Bloomberg Publishing, Australia. ISBN 978-955-38486-1-1 (Sinhala Medium).
• Munasinghe, Tharupathi. (2016). "The Birthday Party (Godura) Translation." Bloomberg Publishing, Australia. Drama. ISBN 978-955-44850-9-9 (Sinhala Medium).
• Munasinghe, Tharupathi. (2013). "Party Time (Sadaya) සාදය, Translation." FAST Publishing Private Limited, Sri Lanka. Drama. ISBN 978-955-448- 508-2 (Sinhala Medium).
• Munasinghe, Tharupathi. (2000). "The Evolution of Sinhala Theatre Music, 1956 - 1974." සිංහල නාට්‍ය සංගීතයේ විකාසය 1956-1974, FAST Publishing Private Limited, Sri Lanka. ISBN 978-955-677-001-08 (Two editions published in 2000 and 2010).