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Nadeeka Guruge

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Nadeeka Guruge
නදීක ගුරුගේ
Background information
Born (1976-09-27) 27 September 1976 (age 48)
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
OriginNuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Genres
Occupations
Years active1999–present
SpouseManori Mallikarachchi
Websitenadeekaguruge.com

Nadeeka Guruge (Sinhala: නදීක ගුරුගේ; born 27 September 1976) is a Sri Lankan composer, musician, and music educator. He is best known for his work in film and theatre music. Guruge has received multiple awards for his contributions to music direction and background music. He served as the inaugural dean of the School of Music at the Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC). He is also known for his onstage concert performances and public engagement in music education and research.

Early life and education

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Guruge was born in Anuradhapura and raised in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.[1] He began learning guitar at the age of 14 and was initially taught by his brother.[2] He was influenced by composer Premasiri Khemadasa, whose work shaped his approach to Western classical and Sri Lankan folk music. Sunil Santha and Clarence Wijewardena were major influences on his musical outlook, while Johann Sebastian Bach shaped his approach to film scoring and instrumental composition. Exposure to diverse musical traditions through travel and research influenced his interest in indigenous musical forms, which would become a central focus of his career.[3]

Career

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Guruge began his professional career in 1999 with Sanyugma, a folk music collaboration with Bolivian musician Marcello Titto Li, blending traditional and contemporary styles.[1] He directed music for numerous theatre productions, including Rathnawalli (2006) and Sanda Langa Maranaya (2005) and composed music for several notable Sri Lankan television dramas, such as Aga Pipi Mal (2004) and Kampitha Wil (2008). He transitioned into film scoring in the early 2000s.

In addition to his work in composition, he has served as a judge on the Sri Lankan reality television series Derana Dream Star, a popular music competition produced by TV Derana. He was part of the judging panel for Season IV in 2012, and returned for Season XI in 2023. The show, known for discovering new musical talent.[4]

Film scoring and acting

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Guruge's first credited film composition was for Pura Handa Kaluwara (2001), a commercially and critically successful film that set box office records in Sri Lanka and received international recognition.[5] He gained wider recognition for his score in Sulanga Enu Pinisa (2005, also known as The Forsaken Land), which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival.[6] For this film, he used a Native American quena flute, showcasing his innovative approach.[2] He employed synthesizers in Sankara (2007) and drew on folk music influences for Abá (2008), noting similarities between Sri Lankan dirges and Mediterranean music.[2] His score for Cinderella (2011) was considered among his best work.[7] His musical approach often incorporates traditional instruments and experimental techniques.

In addition to composing, Guruge played the lead role in the film Karma (2012), which was screened at several international film festivals.[8]

Academic and educational contributions

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Guruge founded the Megha Foundation in 1998, a Nuwara Eliya-based music research institute collaborating with Bolivian and Austrian partners. The foundation hosts monthly dialogues, performances, and educational programs for young artists.[9]

From 2020 to 2024, Guruge served as the inaugural dean of Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC)'s School of Music.[10][11][12] He led the development of a Bachelor of Music (Honours) program that included both local and international music traditions.[11] The program received approval from the University Grants Commission and the Ministry of Higher Education. Guruge has also contributed to music education through lectures.[13][14]

Since 2024, Guruge has focused on informal education and research into 20th-century Sri Lankan music identity, Balangoda people’s musical behavior, and Vedda music, with findings to be published in future books.[10]

Guruge has authored multiple published books and is preparing several others, including ක්ලැරන්සියානු පොප් සංගීතය, an analysis of Clarence Wijewardena's music,[3] and ජෝති එනකං, a reflective and philosophical work that explores the cultural, social, and artistic symbolism of the figure H. R. Jothipala within Sri Lankan music and society.[15] Mystique Maya a fiction novel submitted for the Gratiaen Prize.[10]

Concerts and performances

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Guruge has been a prominent performer in Sri Lanka’s music scene, engaging in concerts, television, and other public appearances. He initiated the Nostal Guitar concert series, which began in 2013 at The Gramodaya Folk Art Centre in Battaramulla, showcasing his original guitar-based works.[16] The series continued with performances on 10 April 2015 at Dharmaraja College Auditorium in Kandy and 11 April 2015 in Nuwara Eliya, featuring Kasun Kalhara and Indrachapa Liyanage. These concerts, inspired by Latin American and European formats, integrated the audience with the stage through lighting and storytelling, emphasizing Guruge’s lifelong connection to the guitar.[2] The series extended into 2024, as promoted on his official website.[17] In 2025, Guruge plans to hold a film music concert to celebrate 20 years in cinema, featuring award-winning compositions and possibly popular film songs.[10]

In 2016 and 2017, Guruge performed in 4U, a romantic fusion music concert alongside Kasun Kalhara, Indrachapa Liyanage, and Nadeeka Jayawardana. The show, presented by Ahasa Media Works, featured popular love songs and ballads, with performances at Ave Maria Auditorium in Negombo (2016) and Nelum Pokuna Theatre in Colombo (2017).[18][19]

In 2021, he appeared as a guest on Ma Nowana Mama, a TV Derana musical program hosted by Kelum Srimal, where he performed and discussed the meaning behind his favorite songs.[20]

In 2022, Guruge joined Kalhara, Liyanage, and Jayawardana for Legends: Unfolding Youth Legacy, a concert showcasing Sri Lankan musical talent, highlighting their collective influence on Sinhala music (සිංහල සංගීතය).[21]

Artistic style and influence

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Guruge's compositional work blends Sri Lankan folk music (සිංහල ජන සංගීතය) with Western classical traditions, often using traditional instruments in innovative ways.[3] He composed and played guitar for Ameesha (අමීෂා), sung by Kithsiri Jayasekara, which introduced continuous lead guitar use with Latin American and flamenco influences, impacting Sri Lankan music.[2] Similarly, he composed and performed guitar for Radical Premaya (රැඩිකල් ප්‍රේමය), sung by Kasun Kalhara, blending rock styles and further influencing the industry.[2] He later shifted toward simpler compositions, such as Lelasiya (ලෙලැසිය), to reach broader audiences, acknowledging the complexity of earlier works like Romeo Bendala (රෝමියෝ බැඳලා) appealed to niche subcultures.[2] His experimental performance of Sunil Santha's Varen Heen Saare with guitar accompaniment sparked renewed interest in Santha's work.[10] Influenced by literary figures like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Martin Wickramasinghe, and Simon Nawagattegama, and musicians such as Premasiri Khemadasa, J.S. Bach, Clarence Wijewardena, and Sunil Santha, his compositions often explore social themes like inequality and cultural identity.[3][7]

Guruge views Sri Lankan music as a fusion of global influences, including Mediterranean, Native American, and Asian traditions, reflecting the country's diverse heritage.[2] He critiques the lack of a formal Sri Lankan musical culture since Sunil Santha's dismissal from radio, which marginalized local artists like Clarence Wijewardena, whom Guruge credits for popularizing the electric guitar.[2] He emphasizes music as a tool for emotional and societal reflection, advocating for education to preserve Sinhala musical heritage.[3] Guruge supports creative reinterpretation of songs (e.g., ballads to rock) but stresses ethical and legal protections for lyricists and composers, prioritizing their ownership over singers.[22][10] His interest in Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment informs his exploration of social justice and class dynamics in his work.[23]

Political activities

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Guruge has expressed political views through his artistic work and public advocacy. His 2007 song Luhu Bandinna Maa is a political folk composition addressing themes of resistance and collective memory, inspired by his time in Geneva.[3] In 2019, he composed the score for Ginnen Upan Seethala, a film examining the JVP's second armed struggle and Rohana Wijeweera, exploring societal imbalances following Sri Lanka's 1977 economic liberalization.[24]

Guruge has participated in various political events supporting the National People's Power (NPP) and its affiliate, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). In 2018, he joined a media conference themed "A Village Free of Pollution" in Pitakotte, expressing support for progressive policies.[25] That same year, he participated in "Artists for Political Ethics and Democracy," opposing what was characterized as unconstitutional political appointments.[26]

In a 2019 interview, Guruge acknowledged receiving both criticism and appreciation from fans regarding his political stance, noting that his approach to music often addresses social concerns.[3]

In 2020, he spoke at an NPP media conference promoting the party's candidates ahead of elections.[27][28]

Personal life

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Guruge is married to Manori Mallikarachchi, a senior diplomat since 2003, serving as Acting Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in London since 2023.[29] In October 2024, Mallikarachchi, serving as Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in London, led a two-member delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.[29][30][31] Her participation drew public attention, with some social media posts questioning her qualifications, though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed her 20-year diplomatic career and prior appointment to the role in 2023.[29][32] The couple has two daughters: Tharani, studying for Advanced Level exams in Physics and playing drums and guitar, and Oditya, in Grade 8, playing piano and singing in a school opera in London.[10] Guruge has an interest in agriculture, influenced by his father’s career, and considered it as an alternative profession.[7]

Awards and nominations

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Nadeeka Guruge has received numerous awards and nominations for his contributions to Sri Lankan music, cinema, television, and cultural development.[33]

Year Award Category Work
2010 Sarasaviya Awards Best Music Direction Aba
2012 Derana Film Awards[33] Best Background Music Vijaya Kuweni
2014 Raigam Tele'es Best Teledrama Singer Award Best Teledrama Singer Sihina Aran Enna
2014 Hiru Golden Film Awards Best Background Music Not specified
2016 Sarasaviya Awards Best Music Direction Maharaja Gemunu
2016 Presidential Awards Best Music Director Sakkarang
2017 Bunka Cultural Awards[34][35] Contribution to Arts —
2019 Presidential Awards Best Music Director Ginnen Upan Seethala
2023 Sumathi Awards[36] Best Music Director Sansararanya Asabada

Selected works

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Filmography

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Theatre productions

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Teledramas

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Books

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Magic in the hills". Sunday Observer. 5 April 2015. Archived from the original on 16 April 2025. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Nostalgic Guitar". Sarasaviya. 9 April 2015. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Interview with Nadeeka Guruge". Wijeya Newspapers. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019.[non-primary source needed]
  4. ^ "Derana Dream Star Season 9 - Grand Finale". Ada Derana. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020.
  5. ^ "'Purahanda' earns a record gate". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  6. ^ "SULANGA ENU PINISA (THE FORSAKEN LAND)". Festival de Cannes.
  7. ^ a b c "A trailblazer in contemporary music". Sunday Observer. 14 April 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Karma". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012.
  9. ^ "ලාංකේය අවවරප්‍රසාදිත ජනයාට සංගීතය තේරෙන්නේ නැත්නම් ඒ ගැන විශ්ලේෂණයක්". Mawbima. 3 March 2023. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "වෘත්තීය පැත්තෙනුත් පෞද්ගලිකවත් සතුටින් සිටින නදීක". Silumina. 19 April 2025. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  11. ^ a b "SLTC Launches Sri Lanka's First School of Music in a Non-State University". Derana Macroentertainment. 13 January 2020. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025.
  12. ^ "SLTC Launches School of Music Headed by Maestro Nadeeka Guruge". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 28 January 2020.
  13. ^ "Guest Lecture Session on 'Aesthetics for Life'". University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Department of Accounting. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025.
  14. ^ a b c "'පන්සාලිස්' අන්තර්ජාල රසික සංවාදය..." Upali Newspapers. Archived from the original on 19 September 2021.
  15. ^ a b "'ජෝති එනකං' පොත හඳුන්වාදීම 25දා". Dinamina.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ "Nostal Guitar Acoustic Concert with Nadeeka Guruge". Decibel. 18 July 2013. Archived from the original on 19 August 2017.
  17. ^ "Events - Nadeeka Guruge Official Website". Nadeeka Guruge Official Website. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025.[non-primary source needed]
  18. ^ "4U 2017 Official Trailer". Ahasa Media Works. 28 August 2017.[unreliable source?]
  19. ^ "4U set to thrill crowds at Negombo". Sri Lanka Mirror. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  20. ^ "Ma Nowana Mama - Nadeeka Guruge". TV Derana. 9 August 2021.[unreliable source?]
  21. ^ "Legends - Unfolding Youth Legacy Official Trailer". We Do Events. 21 May 2022.[unreliable source?]
  22. ^ "The fight for the right". Daily News. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  23. ^ "නදීකගේ පට්ට පොත..." Wijeya Newspapers. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018.
  24. ^ "විවෘත ආර්ථිකය පැමිණීමත් සමඟ මේ රට තුළ ඇතිවූ අසමතුලිතතාවය - ගින්නෙන් උපන් සිනමා පටය තුළින්". Wieya Newspapers.
  25. ^ "රට පැමිණ ඇති තැන අනුව අපට නිහඬව සිටිය න0හැකියි – ප්‍රවීණ සංගීතඥ නදීක ගුරුගේ". Upali Newspapers. 3 February 2018.
  26. ^ "ප්‍රජාතන්ත්‍රවාදය සහ දේශපාලන සදාචාරය වෙනුවෙන් කලා කරුවෝ එක්වෙති". LankaTruth. 14 November 2018. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  27. ^ "NPP has fielded capable, educated candidates - Nadeeka". Daily News.
  28. ^ "රට දිනවන ජනතා නියෝජිතයින් සිටින්නේ ජාතික ජන බලවේගය සතුවයි". LankaTruth. 28 July 2020.
  29. ^ a b c "Did Nadeeka Guruge's wife attend CHOGM?". FactSeeker.
  30. ^ "Sri Lanka Participates at the CHOGM 2024". Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  31. ^ "Sri Lanka Participates at the CHOGM 2024". Sri Lanka High Commission,London-UK. 27 October 2024. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  32. ^ "හිතවත්කම මත නදීක ගුරුගේ මහතාගේ බිරිඳව මෙවර CHOGM සමුළුවට යැව්වා ද?". FactSeeker. 26 October 2024.
  33. ^ a b "The Roots of Music in Sri Lanka". eLanka. 22 March 2022. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024.
  34. ^ "Bunka (Cultural) Awards". FT.
  35. ^ "six Sri Lankan artistes honoured with bunka (Cultural) Awards" (PDF). Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka.
  36. ^ "Sumathi Awards 2023". The Morning. 13 February 2023.
  37. ^ "Aba - the mega Sinhala movie". The Island. Archived from the original on 8 September 2008.
  38. ^ "Motherland woes: reviewing Aba". Sri Lanka Guardian.
  39. ^ "Ira Handa Yata". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 10 October 2024.
  40. ^ "Jury Award for 'Ira Handa Yata' at Los Angeles Festival". Ada Derana. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  41. ^ "'Sindu Pathule' : Lanka's first underwater music video". Wijeya Newspapers.
  42. ^ "Dutugemunu ready for release". The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  43. ^ "අහිංසක වින්දිතයන්ගේ කතාව 'ප්‍රාණ'". Lake House.
  44. ^ "My Red Comrade අද සිට". Upali Newspapers.
  45. ^ "My Red Comrade – විචාරයක්". Colombo Telegraph. 22 May 2024. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  46. ^ "'Ranga Soba' depicts the life of an actress". Wijeya Newspapers.
  47. ^ "පොප් සංගීතයට ස්වර ඇල්ලූ ක්ලැරන්ස්". Dinamina. 12 December 2023. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
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