A true musician is someone who nourishes the souls of people
with the music created with a purpose,
and his journey should ideally be to become an artist with a distinct sound
and a professional with great versatility.
A Self-portrait
Nuwan Gunawardhana is a performer, recording artist, composer, arranger, and educator dedicated to exploring how wind instruments can be incorporated and blended with native music traditions. His work aims to create an elevated audience experience while enriching traditional music. Viewing music as both an experience and a powerful tool for delivering meaningful messages, Nuwan has made it his mission to address the unique challenges faced by horn players in Sri Lanka.
In his early years, Nuwan was exposed to a wide array of musical styles as a listener, inspiring him to take up the trombone in his high school band, where he performed classical music, brass band repertoire, and occasionally “Papara.” He later expanded his instrumental skills to include the trumpet and euphonium, performing with various professional ensembles in Sri Lanka and abroad.
As a versatile performer, Nuwan skillfully interprets diverse styles without compromising his signature sound. He is a founding member and arranger of a leading horn section in Sri Lanka and has held principal positions in major orchestras. Nuwan has been commissioned for numerous recordings and live performances, including major concerts and theater productions, and has toured extensively across the country. His collaborations span a wide range of artists and genres, contributing a distinctive voice to Sri Lanka’s vibrant music scene.
Beyond performance, Nuwan is deeply committed to innovation. He continually pushes boundaries by experimenting and discovering new musical nuances. His dedication to nurturing the next generation of musicians and addressing the technical challenges faced by horn players in Sri Lanka remains central to his artistic and educational vision.
Expeditions
Primal Harmony explores the often-perceived separation between human existence and the natural world—a divide that has led to a romanticized view of nature in society. This production aims to dissolve that boundary by becoming an integral part of the forest, minimizing disruption to its primal state and moving through the environment as one with the surroundings. In this context, the sounds of brass instruments and other human activities are not external impositions but rather extensions of the forest itself. The work seeks to explore space, create imagery in harmony with the environment, and provide sensory stimuli through sound and movement—while intentionally leaving room for audience interpretation. The sonic palette includes contemporary wind-playing techniques such as air sounds, slapping, and extended effects, in collaboration with fellow artists and the natural landscape.
Neo Papara is a contemporary musical subgenre that evolves from Papara, the Sri Lankan brass band tradition celebrated for its lively, festive, and communal spirit. The term and concept of Neo Papara were coined by Nuwan to define his experimental work with Papara without directly using the traditional name—both as a step toward preserving the original form and as an act of respect for its heritage and values. While Papara has traditionally functioned as background or procession music, Neo Papara reimagines the genre for the concert stage, channeling its vibrant energy into more formal and performative settings. It blends the core ethos of Papara with influences from interdisciplinary and modern performance practices—including elements of theatre, ritual, improvisation, and global musical styles. More than a musical style, Neo Papara is also a practice-led research field, engaging with the social, technical, and ritual dimensions of performance.
Gaweshana is a contemporary concert tour that invites audiences to engage with pressing social, political, and geographical issues through music. Blending free improvisation with traditional and ritual music practices, the project creates an evolving, reflective experience rooted in exploration and dialogue. Themes such as deforestation, sound pollution, human–animal conflict, and the impact of human activity on nature are addressed in ways that resonate with each audience’s local context. Gaweshana aims to spark meaningful conversations and deepen public understanding of societal challenges, while also inspiring artists to explore new creative horizons. By weaving together the rich cultural traditions of Sri Lanka with global artistic perspectives, the project aspires to take Sri Lankan music to international platforms—showcasing its depth, diversity, and relevance on the world stage.
This blog is a personal space curated by Nuwan, where he shares his writings, research papers, reflections, and thoughts on a wide range of subjects—musical and beyond. Rooted in lived experience and shaped by his journey as a performer, thinker, and collaborator, the blog offers an open platform for exploration, expression, and dialogue. Whether addressing artistic practices, cultural ideas, philosophical questions, or technical insights, Nuwan writes with honesty and curiosity, aiming to connect with others who may find value or resonance in his words.
The Bamboo Method is not something Nuwan claims to have invented—it is rooted in the natural world, where flexibility and strength coexist effortlessly. Rather than a formal invention, it is a personal approach shaped through years of learning, practice, and reflection. Drawing from the teachings of his mentors, collaborations with colleagues, and his own lived musical experiences, Nuwan has developed this method as a philosophical, ideological, and technical guide for musicians—particularly horn players—who seek a more natural and grounded way of playing. It offers insights informed by his unique journey, with the intention of supporting others who may benefit from this perspective. At its core lies a simple yet powerful idea: “Be like the bamboo”—flexible yet strong, deeply rooted yet free to bend with the wind. Flexibility and strength must exist together, not in conflict.
An Educator
Nuwan has developed his music expertise under the tutelage of world-class musicians, including Wendell Kelly, Manilal Weerakoon, Hussain Jiffry, Dr. Sumudi Suraweera, and Brian Allen. These mentors have shaped his foundation in both performance and pedagogy, exposing him to a broad range of musical traditions and educational philosophies. Through this journey, Nuwan has cultivated a deep understanding of brass performance and intercultural musicianship, alongside his pioneering work in the development and practice of Neo Papara, a new musical genre blending traditional Sri Lankan and contemporary styles.
His work blends practical pedagogy with a deep respect for natural, culturally grounded approaches to music-making. A key part of this vision is The Bamboo Method—a nature-inspired approach that balances flexibility and strength. Developed through years of study and collaboration, it helps musicians play more naturally, comfortably, and musically, with attention to individual physical differences. (The Bamboo Method is also a standalone focus of Nuwan’s ongoing research and expedition work.) At the forefront of this innovative music education, Nuwan is currently authoring a comprehensive book aimed at transforming brasswind learning for Sri Lankans and other South Asian musicians—an ambitious project that is expected to take considerable time to complete.
Nuwan plays a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s music education landscape. He has served as a brasswind instructor for the National Youth Orchestra of Sri Lanka (NYOSL) and as a visiting lecturer in Western Music at the National Institute of Education (Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka). Driven by a strong commitment to educational equity, Nuwan works to make high-quality music education accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic background. His volunteer efforts with the Sri Lanka Music Project have brought Western music to rural schoolchildren, creating new opportunities in underserved communities.
His distinguished contributions also include working pro bono with the Sri Lanka Army Band as a specialist instructor and conducting masterclasses across leading schools and institutions in Colombo and beyond. He continues this mission as the Band Instructor at Gateway College, Dehiwala, where he empowers students through inclusive, holistic, and excellence-driven teaching practices.
Reach Out
Get in touch with me for a captivating glimpse into the worlds of my artistic pursuits and academic explorations, or to offer assistance, to hire me for your performance, arranging, or teaching requirements.