The traditional Papara-inspired composition "Oru Urula" was created for the Tamil short drama of the same name, which premiered in 2023. This hybrid work functions as both incidental music and a devised composition. Developed through close engagement with the creative process, it evolved alongside the dramaturgy, script, and staging decisions. The core musical material—including the main theme used in the introduction and conclusion—was shaped through process-based experimentation and improvisation, responding dynamically to the emotional arc and physicality of the performance. As such, it stands as a form of improvised incidental music, embedded within a devised theatre context.
The Oru Urula composition also served as the pilot project for my research titled “Ha Papara Mary,” which explored the integration of improvisation into traditional Papara music. Following this work, a paper based on the research—“How to Use Improvisation on Papara”—was presented at the ICH International Research Symposium 2023. This composition was a key part of the production’s success, earning Best Music Direction at both the 50th State Drama Festival (2022) and the 43rd National Youth Drama Festival (2023).
This may be the first original Papara composition available on digital platforms—a groundbreaking moment, as most Papara bands traditionally perform instrumental covers of well-known songs. Oru Urula breaks from this norm as an original composition rooted in the Papara idiom, and may be among the first formally recorded and released, pointing toward the genre’s evolving identity as a creative, performative, and compositional art form. In February 2025, a final studio recording of the performance version was made at Pearl Bay Studios, Maharagama, and later released on streaming platforms on July 30, 2025.
Recording Credits:
Melody & Music Director – Nuwan Gunawardhana
Recording Engineer – Amila Rasanga
Recording Engineer / Mixing & Mastering Engineer – Amila Rasanga
Trumpet – Jeevantha Madushanka, Suraj Gamage, Nuwan Gunawardhana
Trombone – Nuwan Gunawardhana
Papara Bass Drum – Gayan Sampath
Papara Side Drum – Iresh Chathuranga
Thavil – Nishan Senanayaka
Cymbal – Noraj Chathuranga
Musicians Involved in the Devised Drama Process:
Chamithu Nenuka
Chanuka Sandeep
Special Thanks:
Nuwan Liyanage
Denham Hakel
Pearlbay Studios
Park Studios & Staff
Oru Urula Drama Crew
Now streaming on all major platforms:
Apple Music :
Spotify :
YouTube Music :
Amazon Music :
SoundCloud :
Other Platforms (Deezer, Tidal, Boomplay, etc.) : https://conyfer.vyd.co/OruUrula
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