Madhawa started learning classical Tabla playing as a disciple of Great Guru, Kalashoori, Sangit Nipun Shri P V Nandasiri at the age of 13.
It was a dream coming true of Madhawa's beloved father, late Mr Upali Rathnayake. Madhawa's  learning journey of tabla started at Sarasavipaya, Maradana and had the opportunity to closely associate his great guru, Shri P V Nandasiri, a brilliant musician and a highly respected tabla player of Lucknow gharana under Khalifas of Lucknow gharana - Ustad, Wajid Hussain Khan and Ustad, Afaq Hussain Khan 

Madhawa was fortunate enough to obtain basic, secondary and territory education and acquire techniques as a performing artist in classiscal Tabla playing under Shri P.V Nandasiri.

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Madhawa obtained his Vadya Visharad in Tabla degree from Bhathkande Sangit Vidya Pith, Lucknow, India in 1998. He was honoured by Shri P V Nandasiri's family with the invitation that he got to take over his great guru's Legacy as teacher in  Tabla at Sarasavipaya, Maradana.

 

In 2007 Madhawa made his debut as a classical tablist with a tribute concert titled as Sesarani to his great guru Kalashoori, Sangit Nipun Shri P V Nandasiri. 

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In the same year Madhawa got the opportunity to participate the tribute concert to Ustad Afaq Hussain Khan in Lucknow, India with his present guru, elder son of beloved Shri P V Nandasiri, Super grade artist of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Vadya Nipun, P V Upula Madhusanka where he met and performed before present Khalifa of Lucknow gharana, Son of Ustad Afaq Hussain Khan Ustad Ilmast Hussain Khan

In 2008, Madhawa represented a Toastmaster cultural delegation to India,  as a Tablist where he entertained an Indian audience with a fusion he performed with Sri Lankan Folk drummers.

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Madhawa is continuing his music journey as a Management member serving a leading private commercial bank in Sri Lanka and a multi faceted individual as a Guru, Performing artist and an accompaninent artist in Tabla. 

Madhawa is a Competent Communicator, Competent Leader, former Area Governor in Toastmasters International, USA, former News presenter at Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) and a former Programme presenter of The Buddhist Channel.

Presently he is sharing his knowledge and experience  in Classical Tabla playing with future generation through his Tabla Academy - SESARANI affiliated to P V Nandasiri Kala Kendraya.