Bibiladeniye Mahanama Thero

Bibiladeniye Mahanama Thero
Biography

Bibiladeniye Mahanama was born on 31 October 1989 at the government hospital in Dompe. His birth name, Wanaviraja Wasala Mudhiyanselage Lahiru Madhusanka, was given to him by his mother, Indrani Tennakoon, and father, Wanaviraja Wasala Mudhiyanselage Abeyratne Bandara. He is the eldest of their three children. Lahiru had his primary education at Jayanthi Central College in Nikaweratiya. He was ordained a Buddhist monk on the 29 July 1999 and given his present name Bibiladeniye Mahanama. He was a student of Kotawila Sri Premaloka Thero at the Vidyawardena Pirivena in Dehiwela.[2] His initial Pirivena education was at the Paramadhamma Cheitiya Pirivena in Ratmalana and continued his higher studies at the Sri Pandukabhya Pirivena in Panduwasnuwara. His Advanced Level education was at the Kurunegala Baudhaloka Vidyawarthana Pirivena under the guidance of Wahantare Siddhartha Thero.[3]

He was awarded a scholarship to study computer science and music at the Kobeigana-Crasda Computer Institute, where he later worked as lecturer for two years from the age of 17.[2] With the encouragement of Wahanthare Siddhartha Thero, he studied North Indian music styles and guitar technique under the musician Danister Perera.[4] Bibiladeniye Mahanama was awarded a full scholarship by musician Dilup Gabadamudalige to study at his institute for computerized music and sound engineering in Pelawatte for two years – 2007-2009.He also studied the basics of North Indian vocal styles under the musician and professor, Dayaratne Ranatunge and Usthad Gulam Nihaz Khan in Mumbai.

Bibiladeniye Mahanama went on to work with professional musicians in Sri Lanka and internationally as a composer, director, music arranger, and recording artist.