Bio
In 1978, at the age of 12, when Pandith Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha visited Sri Lanka to perform at the BMICH, Upula, as a very young Tablist, was opportune to play a Tabla solo for the duo, who were the sole spectators among an intimate gathering.
Upula furthered his studies later under late great Ustad Afaq Hussain Khan and Ustad Ilmas Hussain Khan in Lucknow. He was opportune to be officially affiliated to the family of Ustad Afaq Hussain Khan upon performing a ‘Ghanda Bandan Ceremony’ and studied under the Ustad Ji in the ‘Gharana (traditional) method’. As an accompanist to a Sitarist, Upula also performed in Doordarshan, the National TV of India and All India Radio, in which he accompanied his father for a classical North Indian vocal recital. In Upula’s 8 year stay later in Singapore, he was listed as a solo and accompanying artiste in Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society. During this stay, he was involved in accompanying many visiting artistes while touring in the region on invitation. He also worked closely with the percussionists of Karnatic Music and had taken part in many drum combined recitals. After his stay in Singapore, Upula returned to Sri Lanka in 2004 and upon uniting with his father, Senior Lecturer of Music at the Institute of Aesthetic Studies in Colombo, a percussion ensemble was formed and was named as Colombo Ensemble of Percussion. It comprised a novel and unique sound combination as late Shri P. V. Nandasiri and Upula both played Tablas, the Sri Lankan traditional drum exponent Ravibandu Vidhyapathi on Khol and Pakhawaj and Arjun Krishnaratne on Ghatam. Upula was also invited to play at the Max Mueller Bhavan, the Goethe Institute in Bangalore and toured and performed with the Santoor player, Dr. Bee Seavers. In 2007, Upula was invited to the prestigious event Sangeeth Samaroh in Lucknow , and played a Tabla solo which is organized annually in memory of late Ustad Afaq Hussain Khan. It earned Upula many accolades by many scholars who were present. Back at home in Sri Lanka, he is rated as a Super Grade Artist at Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. He is also a director of P.V.Nandasiri Kalakendraya, the Institute of Music, headed by his younger sister, Manomanjarie, who is a Graduate from Benaras Hindu University in Music, who studied under Prof.N.Rajam.
The P. V. Nandasiri Kalakendraya nurtures Indian Classical Musicians in Sri Lanka and also offers students to sit annually for exams affiliated to Bhathkande College of Music. Currently, Upula plays his Tablas on selected classical and fusion gigs. He has travelled with his instrument as an accompanist and a soloist and played with many artistes. He is also a recognized electric bassist in the circuit and performed as the bassist for the popular Bhathiya and Santhush Band. He is a regular bass performer at the Jazz Unlimited, Colombo. By profession, Upula is an Architect.
