Dr. D. Chanaka
Peiris
Senior Lecturer (Grade I)
Head of Department, Department of North Indian Music
Faculty of Music, University of the Visual & Performing Arts, Sri Lanka
Tabla artist, PhD researcher, and composer specialising in the mathematical foundations of North Indian classical music.
Biography
Dr. D. Chanaka Peiris is the Head of the Department of North Indian Music and a Senior Lecturer (Grade I) at the Faculty of Music, University of the Visual and Performing Arts (UVPA), Sri Lanka. Appointed as Head of Department in April 2024, he has been a dedicated educator at UVPA since 1999.
Beginning his musical journey at Ananda College, Colombo, he earned his Vadya Visharad from Bhatkhande Sangeet Vidyapith in 1990, then graduated with a First Class BMus (Hons) in Tabla from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, India in 1997. He completed his MPhil in Music at the University of Kelaniya in 2006, and was awarded his PhD in Music by the same university in 2024 — with research focusing on the mathematical aspects of North Indian Tala Shastra.
Beyond academia, Dr. Peiris is an ‘A’ Grade Classical Tabla artist at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, an accomplished performer, composer, and documentary producer contributing to both national and international arts spheres.
Education
University Service
Selected Roles
- Head of Department, North Indian Music, UVPA (2024–present)
- Member, Board of Senate, UVPA (2024–present)
- Faculty Representative, Library Committee, UVPA (2024–present)
- Head, C. de S. Kulathilake Archival & Research Unit (2018–2021)
- Convener, Undergraduate Research Symposia 1–3, Faculty of Music (2018–2021)
- Course Coordinator, MA in Music, Postgraduate Centre (2012)
- External Examiner, MA in Music, University of Kelaniya (2010–present)
- Member, Syllabus Committee, North Indian Music (2007–present)
Editorial Appointments
- Editor-in-Chief, Journal of C. de S. Kulathilake Archival and Research, Vol. 2 No. 1 (2023)
- Member, Editorial Board, Journal of C. de S. Kulathilake Archival and Research, Vol. 2 No. 2 (2023)
- Coordinating Editor, Journal of C. de S. Kulathilake Archival and Research (2020)
- Editor-in-Chief, Abstract Book, Undergraduate Research Symposia 1–3 (2018–2021)
Publications
Research Interests
Authored Books
Tabla Dhvani
Peiris, D. C. (2003). Yakkala: Author publication.
Your Order
1 item selectedTabla Dhvani
Physical Edition · Rs. 3,500
Currently Out of StockJournal Publications
Gaveshana
Explorations into the ancient history, heritage, and culture of Sri Lanka written for scholars and enthusiasts alike.
Visit GaveshanaMusic & Performance
Beyond the Life
Phantom Riddle
Thalaya osse gatha wu kalaya — Biography of D.R. Peiris
Mach of Conjoin — Dipa Abhimani Concert, UVPA 2012
Ruwan Bo Path
Additional works include Sangitabhimana (documentary, PROMAC 2015), Makulu Del Adare, Vaishravana LK Theme, and Siri Perahera Waruna.
Academic Instruction
With over two decades of experience at UVPA, the teaching approach balances the tradition of Guru-Shishya Parampara with rigorous academic methodology — equipping students with both performance mastery and the theoretical frameworks to advance the discipline.
Student Resources HubNorth Indian Music — Foundations
Introductory concepts of Raga and Tala systems.
Advanced Tala Shastra
Mathematical and rhythmic structures in Indian Classical Music.
Percussion Traditions
Evolution of Tabla and related percussion instruments.
Research Methodology in Music
Analytical approaches for undergraduate and postgraduate research.
Get in Touch
Department Address
Department of North Indian Music
Faculty of Music
University of the Visual & Performing Arts
21, Albert Crescent
Colombo 07, Sri Lanka