Guru Shastrapati Asith Attapattu is associated with Indian classical music and devotional music in Sri Lanka.

 

He has performed Rabindra Sangeet at programmes organised by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), Colombo, including the 164th birth anniversary celebration of Rabindranath Tagore in May 2025.

 

In 2025, he performed a Sinhala rendition of an Assamese Bargeet at the celebration of Sri Sri Madhabdev's Janmotsav in Sri Lanka.

 

In November 2025, students of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre presented Saraswati Vandana under the guidance of Guru Shastrapati Asith Attapattu at the Bharat–Sri Lanka Sanskrit Mahotsav.

In July 2026, a public event at SVCC described a devotional session led by Shastrapathi Asith Attapattu, with the audience participating in bhajans

 

 

Ranathunga and Prof. Sudheer Kumar Verma of the Farrukhabad Gharana.

In 2009, he pursued postgraduate studies at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, where he completed his Master of Music with Merit and received the B.H.U. Gold Medal for standing first in the M.Mus Vocal examination.

 

His academic and research journey also took him to Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, where official university records show him as a full-time foreign student in the M.Music programme in Rabindra Sangit, Dance and Drama. His research focused on “The Influence of the Tunes of Rabindra Sangit on Sri Lankan Songs.”

 

Awards & Recognition

Guru Asith has received recognition for his achievements in Hindustani Classical and Sri Lankan music, including:

First place in Hindustani Classical Solo Singing at All-Island School Music, Dance and Drama Contests from 1996–1999.

First place at the All-Island National Youth Awards in Hindustani Classical Solo Singing from 2001–2003.

 

First place in Sri Lankan Folk Singing at the National Youth Awards in 2003.

First place at the Bhatkhande Sangit Pratiyogita, Bhatkhande Music University, Lucknow, in 2007.

 

First place in Hindustani Solo Singing at the SPANDAN music competition organised by Banaras Hindu University in 2008.

Best Upcoming Singer award at the State Music Festival of Sri Lanka in 2016 for his song Sasare Patha.

 

Guru Asith Chanushka Atapattu

Senior Lecturer in Hindustani Classical Music | Vocalist | Music Educator

Guru Asith Chanushka Atapattu is an accomplished Sri Lankan Hindustani Classical vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and music educator with extensive training in Indian Classical Music.

 

He began learning Hindustani Classical Music at the age of 10 under the guidance of Dr. Premadasa Mudunkotuwa. He subsequently obtained Sangit Visharad qualifications in Hindustani Vocal and Violin, and also studied Carnatic Music under Dr. Arunthathy Sri Renganathan.

 

In 2004, he received an ICCR scholarship to pursue higher studies in Hindustani Classical Vocal Music at Bhatkhande Music University, Lucknow, India. In 2007, he completed his Bachelor of Performing Arts in Hindustani Vocal Music with First Class Distinction, under the guidance of Dr. Sunita Bhale. During the same period, he completed Sangit Nipun in Vocal with First Class Distinction, studying under Pt. Ganesh Prassad Mishra of the Banaras Gharana and Prof. Krishna Kumar Kapoor.His musical studies also include Tabla, for which he obtained Sangit Visharad, studying under Darshanapathi Wijerathne

 

Teaching & Professional Experience

Guru Asith is currently attached to the University of the Visual & Performing Arts, Colombo, as a Senior Lecturer in Hindustani Classical Music. He also serves as a Hindustani Vocal teacher at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Colombo, under the High Commission of India.

His performance experience includes Hindustani Classical vocal recitals in Sri Lanka and India, including appearances at Indian universities and performances through Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. He is recognised as an “A” Grade Hindustani Classical Vocalist of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

 

He has also performed Rabindra Sangeet, including at the 164th birth anniversary celebration of Rabindranath Tagore organised by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Colombo in May 2025.

A Tradition of Learning and Sharing

With a musical journey spanning Sri Lanka and India, Guru Asith Chanushka Atapattu brings together traditional Hindustani vocal training, academic knowledge, performance experience and teaching.

Through Gurukul Music Academy, his knowledge and experience can be shared with a new generation of students, encouraging them to develop musical discipline, vocal ability, appreciation of Indian Classical Music and a deeper understanding of the Guru–Shishya tradition.

Awards & Recognition

Guru Asith has received recognition for his achievements in Hindustani Classical and Sri Lankan music, including:

First place in Hindustani Classical Solo Singing at All-Island School Music, Dance and Drama Contests from 1996–1999.

First place at the All-Island National Youth Awards in Hindustani Classical Solo Singing from 2001–2003.

 

First place in Sri Lankan Folk Singing at the National Youth Awards in 2003.

First place at the Bhatkhande Sangit Pratiyogita, Bhatkhande Music University, Lucknow, in 2007.

 

First place in Hindustani Solo Singing at the SPANDAN music competition organised by Banaras Hindu University in 2008.

 

Best Upcoming Singer award at the State Music Festival of Sri Lanka in 2016 for his song Sasare Patha.

 

Teaching & Professional Experience

Guru Asith is currently attached to the University of the Visual & Performing Arts, Colombo, as a Senior Lecturer in Hindustani Classical Music. He also serves as a Hindustani Vocal teacher at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Colombo, under the High Commission of India.

 

His performance experience includes Hindustani Classical vocal recitals in Sri Lanka and India, including appearances at Indian universities and performances through Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. He is recognised as an “A” Grade Hindustani Classical Vocalist of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.