Composer-pianist Dr. Tanya Ekanayaka releases her latest album

“18 Piano Sutras and 25 South Asian Pianisms” Dr. Tanya Ekanayaka’s most recent collection of compositions was released on Friday, April 28 in partnership with the record label Naxos World. The double album comprises 43 compositions which were composed between June 2021 and March the following year, and recorded in May 2022. It consists of two collections, the first being the 18 Sutras and the second, the 25 pianisms.

“The 18 Piano Sutras of Collection 1 are inspired by 18 endangered, critically endangered, at risk, threatened, very old, and in some cases extinct languages and secular songs with lyrics in these languages spread across six of Earth’s continents. The 25 South Asian Pianisms of Collection 2 draw on 22 languages of the 8 nations of Tanya Ekanayaka’s home region and secular songs with lyrics in the languages. The final pianism, ‘Ode to South Asia,’ is her homage to South Asia. Combined, over two hours of serene, delicate and at times heavy and sombre piano music carries us through a compelling Asianesque journey,” the press release states.

Dr. Ekanayaka is the first Sri Lankan composer to have entire albums of original music released globally by international record labels which have been self-produced.

Describing her style of composition as ‘intriguing’ the release adds that “her works remain unscored, existing exclusively within her memory from genesis to recording.”

The term ‘sutra’ derived from Sanskrit means ‘string or thread.’ The 18 piano sutras are intended, in the words of the composer; “to represent each work as an individuated organic thread involving the symbiotic interlacing of the musical ideas.” ‘Pianisms’ on the other hand represents the short compositions inspired by South Asia, namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The singles ‘Yelimu’, ‘Nivahan’, ‘Iskim’ and ‘Agidu’ deriving from the languages of Puluwat, Sinhala, Khowar and Efé respectively revolve around the subject matter of her inspirations. The expressionism in her music elevates each individual work as listeners worldwide correlate the themes with the music.

Dr. Ekanayaka grew up among the Kandyan hills with a deep love and appreciation for the beauty of nature around her. Her music focuses on the beauty, inherent diversity, transience and fragility of life as well as nature.

Her musical journey began at an early age of five. She made her debut at the age of 12, performed her first concerto at 16 with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL), and was a joint winner and the youngest competitor of an SOSL concerto competition.

She holds a doctorate for crossdisciplinary research in linguistics and musicology from the University of Edinburgh.