In a world where tradition and innovation often seem at odds, Venerable Bibiladeniye Mahanama Thero is proof that the two can coexist in powerful harmony. A Buddhist monk of the Theravada order, the Thero is not only a spiritual guide but a pioneering artist — the only monk of his kind in Asia to explore and experiment with music as a profound form of aesthetic and spiritual expression.
For nearly 20 years, the Thero has been immersed in creative projects that defy conventional boundaries. His first musical endeavor, the album Share the Love, released in 2014, was a spiritual and meditative soundscape that resonated across continents. The album, which was launched in Europe, Asia, and Sri Lanka, earned him the State Music Award in 2015 for Best Album — a rare and remarkable honor for a monastic artist.
But music was just the beginning.
In 2017, Venerable Mahanama Thero made cinematic history when he took on the role of music director for Giriwasipura, a film by acclaimed director Devinda Kongahage. It was the first time a Buddhist monk had entered the world of film composition. Since then, his creative fingerprints can be found on several cinematic works, including Nattami Army, DHARA, and Neeraputtu Nerappu.
As technology evolved, so did the Thero’s reach. He ventured into the realm of mobile wellness apps, crafting soundscapes for meditation and mental well-being in collaboration with international platforms like Mind Supply (USA) and Rest Tech (India). Locally, he helped co-found the Heallift Mindfulness app, shaping its audio content and vision.
His contributions haven’t stopped there. In 2019, he introduced a completely new art form to Sri Lankan cinema: the Conceptual Musical Short Film. His debut project, Wallstory, was released online in 2020, followed by Piece for Peace in 2021 — a tribute to inter-religious harmony and a powerful reminder of music’s potential to unite.
One of his most culturally significant projects was the restoration of the traditional Jathaka Katha (Jathaka Stories) recitals. From 2015 to 2016, the Thero led a massive recording effort involving over 150 Buddhist monks and more than 500 hours of voice work — preserving the oral tradition for generations to come.
His vision has even reached international cooperation: he served as music director for You Are Always with Me, the first television series co-produced by Sri Lanka and China, directed by Cui Yali.
Today, Venerable Mahanama Thero continues to serve not just as a monk and composer, but as a cultural ambassador, environmental advocate, and founder of both the Share the Love Foundation of Ceylon and the Sandhara Spiritual Research and Anthropology Centre.
At the intersection of faith and creativity, his journey is a testament to how ancient wisdom can inspire modern expression — and how music, in its purest form, can be a bridge between silence and sound, tradition and tomorrow.
Discover His Works:
• Evolving in the Wind:
• Wallstory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1b57WHMbAE
• Piece for Peace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo-e_ZCHb8g