Ms. Uthpala Herath

Current Position:

• Lecturer (Probationary), Department of Performing Arts, Sri Palee Campus, University Of Colombo.

Academic Record:

• BA Special in Fine Arts (Peradeniya) 2009,
• MPhil in Fine arts (On-going) (Peradeniya),
• Upadhi of Visharad of Music (Instrumental-Violin) Bhathkande Sangeeth Vidyapith, Lucknow, India. December 1996- January 2000

Previous Professional Positions

• Temporary Lecturer: Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya – April 2010 – August 2012.
• Visiting Lecturer: Department of Performing Arts, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo. – July 2010 – July 2012
• Music Instructor: Cultural Centre, University of Peradeniya – January 2010 – August 2012
• IT Demonstrator: Information Technology Centre, University of Peradeniya – August – October 2010

Publication in conference Proceedings:

• “Influences of American Hip Hop Music in Sri Lankan music Industry”, Postgraduate Research Symposium 2010, University of Peradeniya – 29th October 2010
• “The Impact of Rabindra Sangeet on Sri Lankan Music”, Peradeniya University Research Session 2011 – 24th November 2011
• “Sri Lankan Kaffir Music Tradition and Its Transformation”, 5th Annual Research Conference 2012, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka. – 31st March 2012
• “Sri Lankan Hip hop songs: An Expression of Contemporary society”, 6th Annual Research conference 2013, Royal Asiatic Society of Sir Lanka. – 28th – 30th March 2013
• “Singing for the war: An analysis of songs in relation to arousing Sinhalese individual national attitude” Peradeniya University International Research Sessions (iPURSE), Vol 18, University of Peradeniya – 4th & 5th July 2014
• “27th – 29th November 2014 “Hip Hop Music in Sri Lankan Culture: In Between Globalization and Glocalization”, Changing Humanities in a changing world International conference, organized by University of Chiang Mai, Thailand. 27th – 29th November 2014
• “Violin Reflects the Impact: A Music Iconological Study through the 19th and 20th Century Buddhist Temple Murals in Sri Lanka Under the British Colonialism”, International Conference on Interdisciplinary Development Research, Maejo University, Thailand 29^th October – 31st October 2015
• “JINGLES OF AFRO-SRI LANKANS: AN ANALYSIS OF ‘MĀNJA’ AND THE KAFFIRS’ SOCIAL IDENTITY (Based on Kaffirs settled in Sirambiadiya, Puttlam District), Peradeniya University International Research Session (iPURSE) 2015, University of Peradeniya, 5th & 6th November 2015
• The Art of voicing the empowerment: An analysis of songs sung for former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa”, 2^nd International Music & Performing Arts Conference IMPAC 2016, Sultan Edris Education University, Malaysia, 22^nd – 24^th November 2016
• Cultural interaction, identity, and music: a study of the construction of music for the Sinhalese in the 20th century”, International conference on Performing arts and visual arts 2018 (ICPVA), Cultural Centre, University of Malaya, Malaysia, 9th – 11th January 2018.

Journal Publications:

• “Sinhabahu Natyaye Prakashana Gunayen Hebi Sangeethaya”, Maha Naluwaka Ada Siyawasa– Sinhabahu Felicitation Journal, University of Peradeniya. – 2011
• “Sampreshana Sangeethaya ha Madhya Sanskruthiya thula Pewethma”, Janamadhyawedaya: Janamadhya Adhyana saha Wichara, Vol 6, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo, 2015

Membership of Panels/Member of Editorial Boards:

• Judge panel member of regional (Kandy) & provincial (North Central) competitions of all island school music and drama competitions (2010 – up to date)
• Member of the board of Management, Campus Radio, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo
• Chair of panel 9 of International Conference on Performing and Visual Arts 2018 (ICPVA), Cultural Centre, University of Malaya, Malaysia, 9th – 11th January 2018

Creative Works:

• Music composer and director of the Short film ‘After the Rain’ – (A student production of the Dept. of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya)

Research Interests:

• Ethnomusicology
• Music Anthropology
• Music Iconology

Contact Details:

Email :uthpalah@spc.cmb.ac.lk