Facebook-f Twitter Linkedin-in

Ashinsha Indeewari Ratnayake

I commenced my long march to a career in music at the tender age of 10 as a student at Samudra Devi and Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda in Sri Lanka. I participated in my musical shows and many awards at school and national competitions. Recognizing my potential through these performances, my parents and teachers encouraged me to enrol at the ‘Kalabhumi’ Institute to pursue advanced music training under the guidance of eminent Sri Lankan masters, including Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe, Lakshman Wijesekera, Ananda Weerasiri and Manjula Seneviratne.

Another distinguished musician, late B. Victor Perera taught me the violin. He was a famous violinist and a vocalist who had mastered the instrument under the tutelage of well-known Indian teachers. I was also privileged to have been in the chorus of songs performed by Sri Lanka’s iconic late Pandith W. D Amaradewa.

From then on, my love for music and dance took me beyond the traditional Sinhala performing arts in two different distinct directions. One was to add to my portfolio Bharatha Natyam which forms an important part of Sri Lankan culture. I commenced training at the Miranda Hemalatha Kala Ashramaya in Sri Lanka and graduated by performing Arangethram (my fist public performance) at the famed Tower Hall Theatre, in Colombo in 1997.

While Sri Lanka offered ample opportunities to master the traditional artistic pursuits, it is never complete without the experience of the conventional home of South Asian culture – India. So the second line of development was to advance my studies at some of the hallowed academic institutions of culture in India. There I gained higher qualifications as Visharad in vocal and Bharatha Natyam at Bhatkhande Sangeet Vidya Pith and a degree in music at University of Delhi, and Masters Degree in Music at the Banaras Hindu University.

On return to Sri Lanka in 2004, I was itching to utilise my new knowledge and skills for the benefit of audiences at home and pass the expertise on to the younger generation. I have been fortunate in gainng ample opportunities for this in the next several years as a teacher at Miranda Hemalatha Kala Ashramaya and an experimental teacher in special needs unit as well and a voice trainer at the Superstar Academy, lecturer in Hindi language for the Government Official Language Department, individual trainer for skilled artistes, and as a development assistant to the Ministry of Culture and the Arts in Sri Lanka. I have also been giving performances and conducting workshops in various schools representing the Ministry of Culture and the Arts.

By 2014 I was yearning to widen my horizons beyond oriental music. With this aim I enrolled at the Music Department of Victoria University in Wellington. The stay in New Zealand has allowed me not only to gain a Post Graduate Diploma in Arts in Music but also to teach children, music, voice training as well as give a number of performances.

My wish is to help young New Zealanders benefit from my knowledge and skills gained through many years of learning in a wide variety of cultural  institutes in east and west.

Recent Performances

Watch the video

Success Stories

May 2021 – Eid festival

Sri Lankan Cultural folk dance performance by the senior students of SLANZ Music/dance group to celebrate Children’s Eid festival – 2021 organised by Wellington City Council. These students were trained under the guidance of Visharada Indeewari Ratnayake.

22nd May 2021 – Wellington Sri Lankan School Wesak Celebration – Bakthi Geetha

Wellington Sri Lankan School celebrated the hallowed day of Wesak with great fervour, by organizing the ‘Bhakthi Geetha’ which was held on 22nd of May 2021 at Koraunui Stokes Valley Community Hubs.  These students were trained under the guidance of Visharada Indeewari Ratnayake.

6th February 2021 – Waitangi Day Celebrations at Orongomai Marae, Upper Hutt, Wellington

Sri Lankan Cultural folk dance performance by the senior students of SLANZ Music/dance groupat Orongomai Marae on Waitangi Day celebrating and embracing the cultural diversity. These students were trained under the guidance of Visharada Indeewari Ratnayake.

27th November 2020 – Sri Lankan Cultural performance at Amesbury School – “Living Globally”

6th February 2020 – Waitangi Day Celebrations at Orongomai Marae, Upper Hutt, Wellington

Sri Lankan Cultural folk dance performance by the senior students of SLANZ Music/dance groupat Orongomai Marae on Waitangi Day celebrating and embracing the cultural diversity. These students were trained under the guidance of Visharada Indeewari Ratnayake.

SLANZ Cultural Night 2020

Each year, an annual cultural event is held following the AGM to show the outcome of the Cultural Workshops.This is an opportunity to showcase the achievements of the Sri Lankan children and young adults in front of a large audience each year.

6th February 2019 – Waitangi Day Celebrations at Orongomai Marae, Upper Hutt, Wellington

Sri Lankan Cultural folk dance performance by the senior students of SLANZ Music/dance groupat Orongomai Marae on Waitangi Day celebrating and embracing the cultural diversity. These students were trained under the guidance of Visharada Indeewari Ratnayake.

02nd March 2019 – Multifest 2019 Organised by Hutt Multicultural Council

SLANZ Music and Dancing Workshop

SLANZ Tabla Workshop

10th August 2019 – SLANZ Quiz Night

This annual Quiz night is dedicated to Sri Lanka related questionsonly based on five categories which includes Sri Lankan history, geography, sports, Arts and Culture and religion.

31st August 2019 – SLANZ AGM and Cultural Night

Each year, an annual cultural event is held following the AGM to show the outcome of the Cultural Workshops.This is an opportunity to showcase the achievements of the Sri Lankan children and young adults in front of a large audience each year.

6th February 2018 – Waitangi Day Celebrations at Orongomai Marae, Upper Hutt, Wellington

Sri Lankan Cultural folk dance performance by the senior students of SLANZ Music/dance groupat Orongomai Marae on Waitangi Day celebrating and embracing the cultural diversity. These students were trained under the guidance of Visharada Indeewari Ratnayake.

March 2018 – Exhibition Coexistence,  Waitangi Park, Wellington, New Zealand

In March 2018 I brought an International Outdoor Art Exhibition, ‘Exhibition Coexistence’ to Waitangi Park, Wellington, New Zealand. Created by artists from many different countries and now includes a Wellington artist, the exhibition presents an understanding of living together in todays very complex world. Wellington was the 35th city to host Exhibition Coexistence spreading the message of accepting others and living together in a community which celebrates diversity.

In conjunction with the wonderful panels of art that were mounted and displayed at Waitangi Park, a Coexistence Cultural Day Concert was staged on the Park to further acknowledge and celebrate the cultural diversity and unity in our community here in Wellington. Artists/musicians from many cultures were invited to participate to perform in the spirit of Coexistence.

May 2018 – Sunday School Bhakthee Gee Class

05th May 2018 – SLANZ Quiz Night

This annual Quiz night is dedicated to Sri Lanka related questionsonly based on five categories which includes Sri Lankan history, geography, sports, Arts and Culture and religion.

24th August 2018 – SLANZ AGM Cultural Night

Each year, an annual cultural event is held following the AGM to show the outcome of the Cultural Workshops.This is an opportunity to showcase the achievements of the Sri Lankan children and young adults in front of a large audience each year.

29th September 2018 – Rangasoba Theatrical Musical Production staged in Wellington

This was another creation by two dedicated Australian based directors /choreographers Kusumsiri Liyanaarachchi and Yashodhara Sarachchandra. This theatrical musical productionwas held in 2018 in Wellington involving the entire cast from Wellington theatre and music lovers.The music was directed by the local Wellington based Visharadha Indeewari Ratnayake.The broad genre of music consists of a variety of segments such as classical, country, folk, jazz and many others.Each of themes caters to a different audience. In Sri Lanka one particular part that has gainedimmense popularity is stage drama. Ranga Soba brought to New Zealand audiences, for the first time, selections from such productions such as Maname and Nari Bena. They included performance of the songs as in the original works.

4th February 2017 – Sri Lanka/ New Zealand Independence Day Celebration 

17th June 2017 – SLANZ Quiz Night

This annual Quiz night is dedicated to Sri Lanka related questionsonly based on five categories which includes Sri Lankan history, geography, sports, Arts and Culture and religion.

02nd September 2017 – SLANZ AGM Cultural Night

Each year, an annual cultural event is held following the AGM to show the outcome of the Cultural Workshops.This is an opportunity to showcase the achievements of the Sri Lankan children and young adults in front of a large audience each year.

6th February 2016 – Waitangi Day Celebrations at Orongomai Marae, Upper Hutt, Wellington

Sri Lankan Cultural folk dance performance by the senior students of SLANZ Music/dance groupat Orongomai Marae on Waitangi Day celebrating and embracing the cultural diversity.These students are trained under the guidance of Visharada Indeewari Ratnayake.

2016 – SLANZ AGM Cultural Night

2015 – SLANZ AGM Cultural Night

Videos

Eid mubark - Children's Eid Festival 2021

Performing Sri Lankan folk dance at Children’s Eid Festival – 2021 organized by Wellington City Council. These students were trained under the guidance of Visharada Indeewari Ratnayake.

22nd May 2021 – Wellington Sri Lankan School Wesak Celebration – Bakthi Geetha

Wellington Sri Lankan School celebrated the hallowed day of Wesak with great fervour, by organizing the ‘Bhakthi Geetha’ which was held on 22nd of May 2021 at Koraunui Stokes Valley Community Hubs. These students were trained under the guidance of Visharada Indeewari Ratnayake.

Waitangi Day Celebrations at Orongomai Marae, Upper Hutt, Wellington

Sri Lankan Cultural folk dance performance by the senior students of SLANZ Music/dance group at Orongomai Marae on Waitangi Day celebrating and embracing the cultural diversity. These students are trained under the guidance of Visharada Indeewari Ratnayake.

SLANZ Cultural SHOW 2017

Trained by – Shasthrapati Visharad Ashinsha Indeewari Ratnayake

Adults Show

After two years of voice training done a show at Lakmedura, Wellington.

Trained by – Shasthrapathi Visharada Ashinsha Indeewari Ratnayake

Bhakthi Gee - Devotional Songs - 2016

Bhakti Gee sung by Sunday School kids in Wellington in 2016.

Trained by – Shasthrapati Visharad Ashinsha Indeewari Ratnayake

Sri Lankan traditional Dance Solo Performance

Co exsistance Celebration at Waitangi Park – 2018

Waitangi Day Performance - 2019

Slanz Cultural Show 2019

Slanz Cultural Show 2018

Slanz Waitangi Day 2018 Performance

Slanz Cultural Show 2017

Varnam Rama Seetha

Varnam Patachara

INDUNISIYAN DANCE -GAMI MIHIRA 2005

LEE KELI NATUMA

wessanthara Varnam Arangetram in 2004

Ranwan Dul Geethangee Dance Show In 2005

Kamhale Piyasa Yata Geethangee Dance Show in 2005

MALITHI GUNDHAI

Contribution

My Contribution to NZ and SriLanka – Ashinsha Indeewari Ratnayake

  1. Miranda Hemalatha Kala Ashramaya – Sri Lanka, (as an experimental teacher for special need children) (2006-2008)
  2. As a voice training teacher of a veteran Sri Lankan musician’s class (2012 – 2014)
  3. Individual dancing and music classes at home in Sri Lanka. (2011 – 2013)
  4. As a Hindi lecturer in Official language department in Sri Lanka (2005 – 2006).
  5. As a voice trainer in superstar academy. (2009- 2010)
  6. As a development assistant in the Ministry of Culture and the Arts in Sri Lanka.(2005 – 2014)
  7. Voice training class for adults in Wellington. (2014 – current)
  8. Voice training and Sri Lankan music class for children in Wellington.
  9. As a music teacher in Miranda Hemalatha Kala Ashramaya – Sri Lanka. ( 2006 – 2008)
  1. Participated in many dancing and music shows at school level.
  2. Has been member of the Western Band in high school.
  3. Female vocalist of ‘Bhanu Rangi’ one man show – 26th May 1996.
  4. Sanchari – Traditional and Classical Dances of Sri Lanka and India – 24th July 1999.
  5. Bharath Natyam First (Arangethram Recital) Show in 07th July 1997.
  6. Sri Lankan Traditional dance (VES) first show – 01st October 2004
  7. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 11th June 2003
  8. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 31st May 2004
  9. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 23rd July 2004
  10. Main female Sinhala and Tamil Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 25th November 2004
  11. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 7th February 2005
  12. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 7th December 2005
  13. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 18th March 2008
  14. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 01st July 2006
  15. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 21st July 2006
  16. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 26th September 2006
  17. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 01st October 2006
  18. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 25th August 2006
  19. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 07th January 2007
  20. Main female Sinhala and Tamil Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 20th April 2007
  21. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 11th January 2008
  22. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 20th January 2008
  23. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 11th February 2008
  24. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 26th April 2008
  25. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 22nd June 2008
  26. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 07th August 2009
  27. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 16th January 2010
  28. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 30th October 2010
  29. Main female Sinhala Vocalists in Arangethram Recital – 08th August 2013
  1. Regional Seminar on Documentation and Digitalizing of information in the field of Folk Music organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Arts in Bangladesh – 28th and 29th March 2012.
  2. Represent Sri Lanka three times in Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Annual international Cultural Programme as a member of the dancing group – New Delhi, India. (1997 – 2000)
  3. Won the third price for Bharath Natyam of the University inter competition, Banaras Hindu University. (2002)
  1. October 2014 – Bharath Natyam dance for Annual cultural show organized by United Sri Lanka Association (USLA) in Wellington
  2. April 2015 – Bharath Natyam dance for Annual Sinhala Tamil New Year Programme organized by United Sri Lanka Association (USLA) at Kilbirnie, Wellington
  3. October 2015 – Performing of National Anthem and Sri Lankan Folk songs in 32nd Annual Cultural show organized by United Sri Lanka Association (USLA)
  4. February 2016 – Performing Maori songs representing Sri Lanka Association of NZ (SLANZ) Inc. with the SLANZ guitar group at the Waitangi Day Celebration at the Orongomai Marae in Upper Hutt.
  5. April 2016 – Training children for Annual Religious Festival (Buddhist Weak Ceremony) organized by Wellington Sri Lankan School (WSLS).
  6. September 2016 – AGM and Musical Event organized by Sri Lanka Association of New Zealand (SLANZ) Inc
  7. September 2016 – The Vocal Training Class Showcase organized by me and adult students
  8. September 2016 – AGM and Musical Event organized by Sri Lanka Association of New Zealand (SLANZ)Inc.
  9. November 2016 – Prompter of a Sinhala Drama ‘ Vellavahum’ at sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt.
  10. February 2017 – Vocal training of Children’s musical performance for the Commemoration of National Days of Sri Lanka and New Zealand at Little Theatre Lower Hutt
  11. May 2017 – The annual SLANZ Quiz night – 2017. This quiz night is dedicated to Sri Lanka related questions for adults and children. I was on the judging panel serving as a judge.
  12. September 2017 – AGM and Musical Event organized by Sri Lanka Association of New Zealand (SLANZ) Inc.
  13. February 2018 – Performing Sri Lankan Cultural folk dance performance by a senior student of SLANZ Music/dance group and by me at Orongomai Marae at Upper Hutt on Waitangi Day celebrating and embracing the cultural diversity.
  14. March 2018 – Exhibition Coexistence, Waitangi Park, Wellington, New Zealand. I had the opportunity to perform and represent traditional Sri Lankan dance item to portray the cultural diversity and unity in our community here in Wellington with other international artistes/musicians from many cultures. All were invited to participate to perform in the spirit of Coexistence.
  15. May 2018 – Bhakti gee – I have joined Wellington Sri Lankan School as a volunteer teacher and had the opportunity to train children to sing devotional songs to celebrate the most important cultural and religious event for Sri Lankan Buddhist in the month of May.
  16. May 2018 – The annual SLANZ Quiz night. This quiz night was dedicated to Sri Lanka related questions for adults and children. I was on the quiz committee assisting with compiling questions about Sri Lanka.
  17. August 2018 – AGM and Musical Event organized by Sri Lanka Association of New Zealand (SLANZ) – I have trained Sri Lankan children and young adult with our folk music and danced and prepared them for this event to showcase their talents and to build up their confidence in performing in front of an audience.
  1. September 2018 – Rangasoba Theatrical Musical Production staged in Wellington. This was another creation by two dedicated Australian based Sri Lankan directors /choreographers Kusumsiri Liyanaarachchi and Yashodhara Sarachchandra. This theatrical musical production was held in 2018 in Wellington involving the entire cast from Wellington theatre and music lovers. The music was directed by me. The broad genre of music consists of a variety of segments such as classical, country, folk, jazz and many others. Each of themes caters to a different audience. In Sri Lanka one particular part that has gained immense popularity is stage drama. Ranga Soba brought to New Zealand audiences, for the first time, selections from Sri Lankan famous folk dramas and their original songs.
  1. February 2019 – Performing Sri Lankan Cultural folk dance performance by a senior student of SLANZ Music/dance group and by me at Orongomai Marae at Upper Hutt on Waitangi Day celebrating and embracing the cultural diversity
  2. March 2019 – Multifest Multicultural Event organised by Hutt City Council – I had the opportunity to perform in this event to showcase my talents as a singer.
  3. August 2019 – SLANZ AGM and Annual Cultural Night held each year to how the outcome of the Cultural Workshops. This is an opportunity to showcase the achievements of the Sri Lankan children and young adults in front of a large audience each year.
  4. August 2019 – The annual SLANZ Quiz night – This quiz night was dedicated to Sri Lanka related questions for adults and children. I was on the quiz committee assisting with compiling questions about Sri Lanka.
  5. February 2020 – Performing Sri Lankan Cultural folk dance performance by the senior students of SLANZ Music/dance group at Orongomai Marae at Upper Hutt on Waitangi Day celebrating and embracing the cultural diversity. These students are trained under my guidance.
  6. September 2020 – SLANZ AGM and Annual Cultural Night is held following the AGM to show the outcome of the Cultural Workshops. This is an opportunity to showcase the achievements of the Sri Lankan children and young adults in front of a large audience each year. – 2020. Despite of the lockdown in 2020, SLANZ was able to deliver a great event and children had the chance to show their gratitude towards their parents due to my enormous input and effort.
  7. November 2020 – Sri Lankan Cultural performance at Amesbury School – “Living Globally” – Performed by the Senior dance group trained by me.
  8. February 2021 – Performing Sri Lankan Cultural folk dance performance by the senior students of SLANZ Music/dance group at Orongomai Marae at Upper Hutt on Waitangi Day celebrating and embracing the cultural diversity. These students are trained under my guidance.
  9. May 2021 – Performing Sri Lankan Cultural folk dance performance by the senior students of SLANZ Music/dance group at Linden Community Hall to Celebrate Eid Children’s festival – 2021 organised by Wellington City Council
  10. May 2021 – Bhakti gee performance – A devotional religious songs performed by the students of Wellington Sri Lankan School who were trained by me. These songs portray the most important cultural and religious event for Sri Lankan Buddhist in the month of May.
Stage Dramas
Followers
events
Students

What My Benefitures Say

All the Bhartha girls are grateful to have you for teaching us about a new type of dance style. We all appreciate the hard work you put in, to make us improve in both dancing and singing! Aunty we all have learnt so much from you, like the times you've taught us all the meanings of the songs, how to engage with the audience and all the little things we have to work on to make the performance better. Sometimes you were more than a teacher who taught her students how to sing. You showed us videos and explained every little detail to make sure that we understood what we are doing. You always had time for us even if you were super busy with work, We are beyond grateful to have you with us and, we all hope we can continue to do this class for a long time.

Dewmini
Student

On behalf of all of the students we would like to say a big thank you to Indeewari Aunty for dedicating time from her busy schedule to come and teach us about eastern music. You have not just taught us music, but you have also taught us how to become confident in ourselves and how to showcase our talents in many ways. We all needed help with the scripts and lines and aunty was always there to help us sort everything out and make oll of it polished! Some students haven't worked with you for a long time but it's fair to say that they have learned so much from you. Giving them the opportunity to perform and an opportunity to introduce an item is not something everyone would do! We appreciate the effort you have put in and the guidance you have given us.

Amali
Student

Thank you very much for your efforts. You are a real guru in the real sense of the of the word. Specially giving an equal opportunity to each and every child to shine. Nethara really enjoyed it, so did we. We as parents cannot thank you enough. Keep up the good work.

Nalaka Lamahewa
A Parent

It was such a humble and genuine effort and performances. Even though Deandra was being there only for few days, you gave her that courage and confidence to sing Sinhala songs not one , two songs on the stage. She is very happy and looking forward to continuing 😊I am happy to give my support when ever you need.

UMASHA
A Parent

Dear Indeewari, We can not thank you enough, really appreciate all the hard work you did...

RUWAN
A PARENT

Dear Indeewari, We can not thank you enough, really appreciate all the hard work you did...

DAMINDA
A PARENT

Dear Indeewari, We can not thank you enough, really appreciate all the hard work you did towards the performance and also making Friday evening a fun time for our children!Dinara enjoys coming to the class and we are very pleased with her progress, she surprised us with her performances 😊 We are lucky to have someone like you who are close to our children. Once again thanks for guiding them to do such a great performance that touched our hearts. Please keep up the good work.

NIROSHA
A PARENT

Contact

  • ashinshar@yahoo.com