Bibiladeniye Mahanama Thero is a Buddhist monk of the Theravada Order. The thero is the only Buddhist priest in Asia of the Theravada order to actively engage in the experimentation and the creative exploration of music as a form of aesthetic expression. The thero has been actively engaged with the art, both on overseas projects as well as in Sri Lanka for nearly two decades.[1]
Share the Love, the album released in 2014, is his very first experimental attempt on Spirituality and Relaxation. The album was released in Europe, Asia and Sri Lanka. In 2015 the album was awarded the prestigious State Music Award for the best album produced in Sri Lanka.[2][3][4][5][6]
In 2017, the venerable entered the world of cinema with the musical direction debut on the film Girivassipura’ directed by Devinda Konhahage. It is recorded that this is the first ever time a Buddhist priest achieved such a milestone.[7][8][9][10][11][12] Since then, he has worked on many films, documentaries, theme songs and musical pieces.
Bibiladeniye Mahanama Thero also works on a variety of Meditation, Mental well-being and Mood Uplifting music experimentations within the mobile App space. On this platform his most notable are with Mind Supply of the USA and Rest Tech India are notable.[13]
The Thero is also recognized as the pioneer who introduced Conceptual Musical Short Films to Sri Lanka. In 2019, he started work on the first Conceptual Musical Short Film – Wallstory.[14] It was released on the digital stream in 2020. This was a milestone for the Sri Lankan Cinema Music industry. On the 21st of September, 2021 on World Peace Day, he released the second Conceptual Musical Short Film – Piece for Peace, to celebrate peace and inter-religious harmony.[15]
The thero’s contribution to society is not limited to only music, cinema, Buddhist philosophy and spiritual harmony. The creative contribution too is immense. The most notable being the restoration of the research based “Jathaka” Stories Recitals project in 2015-16. The “Jathaka Katha” (Jathaka Stories) is one of the most important works of literature in the Theravada Buddhist Tradition. With the participation of over 150 Buddhist monks, the Jathaka Stories were recorded in the traditional Jathaka Stories recital form. The project was envisioned as a means of preserving the traditional recital of Jathaka Stories in its original style, for posterity. The restoration work is a 500 plus hour voice recording project that was overlooked by Venerable Bibiladeniye Mahanama thero.[16][17]
Venerable Bibiladeniye Mahanama Thero is also the Music Director from the Sri Lankan end, on the Television drama series “You Are Always with Me”, jointly produced by the People’s Republic of China and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. It is the first Television Drama series co-produced between Sri Lanka and China and was directed by Cui Yali.[18][19]
Even at this young age, he holds various positions in global associations working that work on environmental and animal welfare, as well as multi-religious and welfare organizations. The thero is also the founder of the Share the Love Foundation Of Ceylon and Sandhara Spiritual Buddhist Aesthetics & Arts Centre.[20][21]
Early life and education
Bibiladeniye Mahanama was born on 31 October 1989 at the government hospital in Dompe. His birth name, Wanaviraja Wasala Mudhiyanselage Lahiru Madhusanka, was given to him by his mother, Indrani Tennakoon, and father, Wanaviraja Wasala Mudhiyanselage Abeyratne Bandara. He is the eldest of their three children. Lahiru had his primary education at Jayanthi Central College in Nikaweratiya. He was ordained a Buddhist monk on 27 July 1999 and given his present name Bibiladeniye Mahanama. He is a student of Wahantare Siddhartha thero at Sri Shailathalaramaya - Panduwasnuwara.[22] His initial Pirivena education was at the Paramadhamma Cheitiya Pirivena in Ratmalana since 1999, and continued his higher studies at the Sri Pandukabhya Pirivena in Panduwasnuwara. His Advanced Level education was at the Kurunegala Baudhaloka Vidyawarthana Pirivena under the guidance of Wahantare Siddhartha Thero.[23]
He was awarded a scholarship to study computer science and music at the Kobeigana-Crasda Computer Institute, where he later worked as lecturer for two years from the age of 17.[22] With the encouragement of Wahanthare Siddhartha Thero, he studied North Indian music styles and guitar technique under the musician Danister Perera.[24] Bibiladeniye Mahanama was awarded a full scholarship by musician Dilup Gabadamudalige to study at his institute for computerised music and sound engineering in Pelawatte for two years – 2007–2009.He also studied the basics of North Indian vocal styles under the musician and professor, Dayaratne Ranatunge and Usthad Gulam Nihaz Khan in Mumbai.
Music career
Bibiladeniye Mahanama went on to work with professional musicians in Sri Lanka and internationally as a composer, director, music arranger, and recording artist.
Music arrangement and composition
Thimiraya, short film directed by Vidarshana Rathnayake – 2008
Marayage Maga, short film directed by Isuru Sandakelum – 2008
Paligenima, short film directed by Vidarshana Rathnayake – 2008
Akashadeepa, television film with Karthik Sharma (India), directed by Sakkarebailu Srinivas – 2012
Sheela & Marius, animated film based on the children's book by Predi Vukovi (Switzerland) – 2012[25]
Solo Buddhist Song Project, Produced by University of Visual and Performing art – Colombo – 2013
Documentary Film, Produced by Sri Lankan General Hospital Service - 2015
Theme music, Produced by Sri Lankan Lawyers Association's Social Awareness - 2016
Sasara Wassanaya - Derana Tv, Produced by Devinda Koongahage - 2016
Sundarai Premaya, television drama directed by Chandrathna Mapitigama, with music direction by Dinesh Subasinghe – 2007–2009
Hitata Wahal Vimi, television drama directed by Mohan Niyaz with music direction by Dinesh Subasinghe
Sihina Wasanthaya, television drama (final episode) directed by Sunil Costa, Sanjaya Nirmal, and Saranga Mendis with music direction by Dinesh Subasinghe
Me Uyanata Mal Genna film directed by Chandrathna Mapitigama with music direction by Dinesh Subasinghe – 2009–2010
Hiru Dutu Malak, film directed by Cleatus Mendis with music direction by Dinesh Subasinghe – 2011
Surangana Lovin Evilla, film directed by Suneth Malinga Lokuhewa with music direction by Dinesh Subasinghe – 2011–2012
Siwamma Dhanapala, stage play by Tennyson Cooray with music direction by Dinesh Subasinghe – 2012
Kaviya, An Educational Poem Collection with Ranjith Premaweera – 2016
Dhamma School Theme Song, Reproduction by Sirsa TV with Ranjith Premaweera – 2016
Jathaka GATHA - PEO TV Poem - 2018
Kurulu Geesara, An Educational Song Collection with Chamra Ruwanthilaka – 2019
Soundtracks
Derana Little Star with Peshala Manoj
Symphony of Buddhism
Nature and Environment, lengthy instrumental work with nature sounds, with Sri Lanka Nature forum[31][failed verification]
Kataragama, with Nimantha Heshan
"Share the Love" theme music and "In this Environment" for the Share the Love open-air concert at Battaramulla on 4 July 2011.[32][failed verification]
Sheela & Marius, animated film based on the children's book by Predi Vukovi (Switzerland) – 2012[25]
Derana Little Star - Final - Soundtrack - 2016 with Peshala Manoj
Nidahasata Pakshawemu - 2017
Youth Wesak - UN WESAK DAY - 2018
Iti Pahanweta - Easter Day Attac Memorial - 2019
Mind Supply Relaxation Music Collection - 2020[13]
Maliban Buiscut Cooprate with mama's boys Films - 2020
AIA Insurance (Director Cuts) with Nilan Cooray - 2020
Albums
Premaye Namen, with Charith Priyadhammika – 2007
Sudu Piyumak Se, children's song album, with Lahiru Chamalka, – 2008
Sansara Sangramaye, collection of Buddhist songs performed by Sri Lankan singers, with Dinesh Subasinghe[22]
Kampitha Sewaneli, collection of songs by Jayasena Kottegoda performed by Sri Lankan singers
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