Biography

Narendra Gunarathna is a Sri Lankan musician, composer, and percussionist known for his mastery of tabla and fusion of Indian classical and contemporary music genres. Born on 3 June 1985 in Panadura, Sri Lanka, he grew up in a family rooted in the arts—his father, Priya Ranjan Gunarathna, was a music teacher, and his mother, Weerawaradhana Manel Silva, was a dance teacher. His brother, Sanjaya Gunarathna, is an award-winning 2D animator, and his sister, Dhananji Gunarathna, is a school teacher. Narendra studied at Mahanama College, Colombo, and began his music career at the age of 12, learning tabla under Dharshanapathi Wijeratna Ranathunga, a prominent Sri Lankan tabla artist. He later attended Bhatkhande Music Institute Deemed University in India, earning BPA and MPA degrees in music. He received several honors including gold medals and the Pt. Krishan Maharaj and Pt. Sadashiva Rao awards, and he won the 2012 Tabla Competition by Sangeet Natak Akademi, Uttar Pradesh. Narendra expanded his skills to include Indian percussion, brass classical instruments, and Western instruments. Under the mentorship of Ustad Ilmas Hussain Khan (Lucknow Gharana) and Pt. Ravinath Mishra (Benares Gharana), he refined his musical techniques. He has performed in numerous concerts across India and Sri Lanka, and his music blends Indian classical, Hip-Hop, and Rap, creating a unique and recognizable style.