Singers

Indika Upamale

Indika Upamale was born in Ahangama , Galle . Trained under Premasiri Khemadasa from 1990 . She created roles in Manasavila, Doromadala and Soduru Warnadasi operas and sang in the Pirinivan Mangallaya Cantata and Nidan Mankollaya concert. In Agni opera she created the role as the the Fire Goddess. Educated at the Sangamittha Ladies College in Galle, Maurapada Central College in Kurunegala and Ananda Ladies College in Colombo. Graduated from the University of Kelaniya for fine arts and specialized in singing. She now gives illustrated lectures in Oriental Music at the University of Music , Dancing and Performing Arts , Colombo. She also gives recitals island wide. Interests include performing arts ,ethnomusicology,choral singing, poetry and art history. Won the ' Bunka Award ' in 2008 for outstanding singing and performance. Sung the aria in Agni opera ' Shriya ' in the award ceremony concert.

Sumudu Pathiraja

Sumudu Pathiraja was born in Negombo . Trained as a full-time student at the Performing Art School conducted by Premasiri Khemadasa at the Khemadasa Foundation started in 1993, Colombo. Promoted to an Instructor at the same institute , he worked with the composer for three years. Created roles in Manasavila and Doromadala operas and sang in the Pirinivan Mangallaya Cantata. Joined the State Culture Palace, Moscow in 1996 and studied operatic singing under Vera Petrovna . Studied ballet under Anna Alex of the Moscow Ballet School . In Agni opera he created the role of the White Boy[messenger]. Educated at the Harischandra Central College in Negombo. He is now the Director of Creative Studies in the Quickway. Negombo. Interests include child psychology , primary education , teacher training, landscaping , interior decoration and art history. Created two child operatas , i.e. ' Dear Friends ' to mark the Children's Day , 2oo5 and ' The Present ' dedicated to the Tsunami affected children in the South East Asia. Performed in Bunka Award ceremony concert in 2008. Participated in the recital of Piriniwan Mangallaya cantata at the Royal Asiatic Society in 2008 as a demonostration in Lakshman Joseph de Seram's lecture on Premasisri Khemadasa's musicology.

Krishan Wickramasinha

Krishan Wicramasinha was born in Matale and studied at the Trinity College , Kandy. He was a singer in the Trinity College Choir. Studied under Premasiri Khemadasa for more than a year until the demise of the maestro. Created the role of Ginipathi [ Promethius] in Agni opera. Working in Colombo as a Marketing Executive for medical equipment.

Chandimal Hemantha

Chandimal Hemantha was born in Balabowa, Gampha. Studied under Premasiri Khemadasa at tha Khemadasa Foundation, Colombo and Dr. Premasiri Khemadasa Music Acadamy, Pellawatta. His main roles included in the Soduru Warnadasi opera and Agni opera. Created the main role , Soma in the Agni. Leading voice in the Pirinivan Mangallaya Cantata presented at Buddagaya , India in 2006, conducted by the maestro. Studied at the Nalanda Central College , Minuwangoda , a suberban city located North of Colombo. Composed music for the stage drama , Agamemnon , produced by the English Department of the Univesity of Kelaniya. Created roles in several stage plays.

Subuddhi Lakmale

Subuddhi Lakmale was born in Pelawattha , Battaramulla . Trained as a full-time student at the Performing Art School conducted by Premasiri Khemadasa at the Dr. Premasiri Khemadasa Music Academy started in 2005 at the Jana Kala Kendraya , Pellawattha, Battaramulla. She was a student of the second batch started full time training in 2007. Created the role of Mihipaba in the Agni opera. She sang for many musical creations of the maestro including the well-known theam music of the tele drama , Satharadenek Senpathiyo. She was the lead singer in the theam. Participated in the recital of selected phrases of the Pirinivan Mangallaya at the Royal Asiatic Society in 2008 as a demonostration in Lakshman Joseph de Seram's lecture on Khemadasa's music. Performed in Bunka Award Ceremony concert, 2008. Studied at the Sri Subhuthi National School, Battaramulla and the Yasodara Ladies College , Colombo. Also participated in the illustrative TV lectures of maestro delivered to create an awareness on musicology . Trained in information technology , human resource development and mass communication. Interests include primary education , media , choreography, reading literature and visual arts. Trained child performers for school concerts. Member of a young amateure cinema team producing a documentary film on the elephant orphanage.

Niluka Thishari

Niluka Thisari was born in Rajagiriya .Studied under Premaseri Khemadasa and performed in ' Their War and Their Peace '[ musical based on the poems of Bertolt Brecht] , Pirinewan Mangallaya Cantata and the SLBC radio program ' Parikalpana'[ Imaginations] produced to demonstrate the music of the maestro. Created the role of the Yajakee[the priestess] in the Agni opera.Today a mother of a child , she continues her leading role in Agni opera. Joined the opera from its twelfth performance in Anuradhapura. Studied at the Hewavitharana Maha Vidayalaya , Kotte and the Gothmee Ladies College in Colombo . Reading for her Bachelor of Arts degree. Interests include primary education , stage drama, photography and literature. A leading voice in the concert presented by maestro for the occasion of the launching of the book ' Nothing Grows Under the Banyan Tree and Other Stories ' at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel. The voices in the concert were highly appreciated by the Chief Guest , Mr. Robert Blake , the American ambassador to Sri Lanka. Performed in Bunka Award Ceremony concert in 2008 and the singing of Piriniwan Mangallaya cantata at Royal Asiatic Society, Colombo.

Umali Thilakarathne

Umali Thilakarathne was born in Battaramulla. Studied under Premasiri Khemadasa for more than two years until the demise of the maestro. Created the role of Swapnee [ The Dreaming Woman] in Agni opera and sung in the chorus therein. Performed in Bunka Award Ceremony Concert in 2008. Studied at the Museus College , Colombo. Interests include psychology , acting, dancing ,choreography, modelling and learning languages ,mainly Japaneese and Korean. Travelled in several countries for cultural festivals representing Sri Lanka. Now reading for a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology and Councelling.

Gamini Sarathchandra

Gamini Sarathchandra was born in Balangoda , a picturesque locality in the Sabaragamuwa Province. Studied under Premasiri Khemadasa at the Khemadasa Foundation, Colombo and Dr. Premasiri Khemadasa Music Academy, Pellawatta. His main roles included in Manasa Vila, Soduru Warnadasi and Agni opera. Created the role of the leader of the gods in the Agni opera. Leading voice in the 'Rajaweda' cassette in which several songs composed by the maestro were included. Studied at the Medakanda College, Balangoda, Gankanda College , Pelmadulla and Ananda College , Colombo. Working as a Telecommunication Officer in the Sri Lanka Telecom., Colombo Composed music for the theater.

Wageesha Sandamale

Wageesha Sandamalee was born in Keenegahawela , Horana , a picturequse village in Kalutara , a boader distict of Colombo. Completed two year training under Premaseri Khemadasa at his academy at Pelawatta. Continues her leading role in Agni opera, coming for rehersals from her native place. She provided one of the unique voices in the Agni opera trained and refined by the maestro. Performed in Bunka Award Ceremony concert and singing of Piriniwan Mangallya cantata as a demonostration of Lakshman Joseph de Seram's lecture on Premasisri Khemadasa's music at the Royal Asiatic Society . Studied at the Nugathanda Maha Vidayalaya , Kalatuwawa and the Shripali College , Horana , a provincial center for learning . Reading for her Bachelor of Arts degree and the subjects include Sinhala literature and Fine Arts. Interests include poetry and reading art history.

Marshel Janatha

Marshel Janatha was born in Kandy .Studied under Premasiri Khemadasa at the Khemadasa Foundation, Colombo and Dr. Premasiri Khemadasa Music Acadamy, Pellawatta. Created the role of a god in Agni opera. He has a long artistic carrier starting from stage dramas in 1970s. He created a leading role d in Manasa Vila opera. Leading voice in the 'Killer' a popular cassette in which severel anti-facist songs composed by the maestro were included. Leader of the National Youth Council musical group. Studied at the Nugawela Central College and Edamegama Central College in Kandy.

Upeksha Wickrama

Upeksha Wickrama completed two year training under Premasiri Khemadasa at his academy at Pelawatta before creating her role in Agni opera as a contralto. Continues her leading voice role in Agni opera chorus. She also leads the group of artisans who collectively symbolise the dawn of the ancient technological era. Studied at the Mahamaya Ladies College, Nugegoda.

Indika Prageeth Ranasingha

Indika Prageeth Ranasingha was born in Balapitiya , a coastal town in the Southern Province. Studied under Premasiri Khemadasa at the Khemadasa Foundation, Colombo and Dr. Premasiri Khemadasa Music Acadamy, Pellawatta. Created the roles of a god and Yakadayo'[ blacksmith ]in the Agni opera. A prominent voice in the 'Pirinivan Mangallaya' and ' Their War and Their Peace.' Participated in maestro's musical demonostrations and workshops. Studied at the Siddartha Collegein Galle. His wife is also a student of Premasiri Khemadasa.

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Sagara Wejesingha

Sagara Wijesingha was born in Narammala , a suburb of Kurunegala , the provincial capital of the North Central Province . Trained under Premasiri Khemadasa , Dulip Gabadamudali and Harsha Makalanda. Now studying for the degree in piano at University of Music, Dancing and Performing Arts , Colombo. He is much in demand as a pianist and a keyboard player. Currently , the keyboard player in the Agni orchestra. In addition, he leads the rehearsals and compiles the notation of the opera. Held many other distinguished orchestral positions. Awarded thrice as the Best Pianist at the annual competition conducted by the Music,Speech and Speaking Pvt. Ltd., in collaboration with the British Council, Colombo. Educated at the Mihirigama Junior School , Tholangamuwa Central College and Veyangoda Central College. Interests include ballet , free style dancing and art history, especially Dada and Surrealism. Composed music for the theater and his own experimental ballets.