Awards & Recognitions

• Sithara Maduwanthi - Women Leaders
• Sithara Maduwanthi - Beating the Odds, One Rhythm at a Time
  

We are thrilled to share that Sithara Madhuwanthi, the visionary founder of Thuryaa – Sri Lanka’s first all-female drumming ensemble, has earned a place among the “Women Leaders to Look Up to in 2025”!

To mark this prestigious honor, Passion Vista, a leading luxury and business magazine, has featured Sithara on the cover of its Women Leaders 2025 edition – a testament to her power, rhythm, and relentless spirit.

From breaking cultural taboos to pioneering a space for women in traditional percussion, Sithara’s journey is not just about music – it’s about empowerment, identity, and courage. Her message resonates globally:
“Beating the odds, one rhythm at a time.”

This is a proud moment for Sri Lanka, for South Asian women in the arts, and for every girl who dares to dream differently.

We are proud to be recognized by the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC)—Sri Lanka’s national chamber for women in business, with over 40 years of leadership in empowering female professionals and entrepreneurs.

In a letter dated 9th July 2025, WCIC acknowledged Thuryaa Women’s Drums Ensemble as a symbol of female strength, cultural innovation, and leadership. The ensemble, founded by Sithara, was praised for its long-standing partnership with the Chamber and for its role in representing the values WCIC stands for.

Thuryaa played a special role during WCIC’s brand identity relaunch, performing at key events that reflected themes of empowerment, unity, and women’s leadership.

“We continue to use their services… to showcase the power and commitment of women in business. We wish Thuryaa success both locally and globally.”
— WCIC Executive Leadership

This endorsement is a powerful reminder of why Thuryaa exists: to break barriers, uplift voices, and represent Sri Lanka’s women proudly on local and global stages.

We are proud to share that Sithara and the Thuryaa Band were honored at the Passion Vista Glamour & Style Awards 2025 with the prestigious

“Heritage Beatmakers Award for Cultural Innovation.”

Held on 4th May 2025 at Waters Edge Hotel, Colombo, the event recognized global visionaries and cultural pioneers who are making an impact through creativity, leadership, and innovation.

Thuryaa was celebrated for leading a rhythmic revolution in Sri Lanka, transforming traditional percussion into a modern cultural movement. As the country's first all-female percussion band, Thuryaa has become a symbol of empowerment, diversity, and artistic excellence.

Under the leadership of Sithara, the group has broken gender norms and brought Sri Lankan rhythm to global stages—blending heritage with innovation to create a sound and story that continues to inspire.

This award marks yet another milestone in Thuryaa’s journey, recognizing not just their performances, but the cultural impact they’ve made through music.

Rhythmic revolution by Sri Lanka’s women drummers.

On 18th August 2024, Thuryaa, under the creative direction of Sithara, delivered a captivating performance at Independence Square, Colombo, as part of the Bharat–Sri Lanka Maitri Utsav.

In recognition of this exceptional contribution, Sithara Madhuwanthi Dampahalage Don received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, High Commission of India.

The letter praised her artistic vision, coordination, and leadership, which were key to the success of the event. Sithara’s work was described as instrumental in making the performance a resounding success and a meaningful celebration of cultural friendship between India and Sri Lanka.

This recognition adds to a growing list of international acknowledgments for Sithara’s creative leadership and Thuryaa’s cultural impact on global stages.

Thuryaa performance - ILO STAGE

On 11th April 2019, Thuryaa was honored to perform at the 100th Anniversary celebration of the International Labour Organization (ILO), held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This prestigious event was part of a global 24-hour live celebration, featuring selected performances from ILO’s 187 member states.

Thuryaa represented Sri Lanka through a powerful stage performance that combined traditional twin-drum “Thammattama” rhythms with shadow dance and contemporary fusion drumming. The act was created under the artistic direction of Sithara, and highlighted the role of women in the workforce and the ongoing fight for gender equality.

The performance received praise from both local and global audiences, including an official commendation from the ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, recognizing Thuryaa for their professionalism, creativity, and the cultural message behind their art.

This moment stood as a powerful example of how Sri Lankan tradition can be reimagined to promote social justice and create space for women’s voices in international forums.

In October 2018, Sithara was officially appointed as a Youth Peace Messenger by the World Peace & Diplomacy Organization (WPDO) during the International Leadership Summit.

This honorary title was awarded in recognition of her contributions toward peace, cultural diplomacy, and empowering women through the arts. The appointment reflects the confidence and trust placed in her by the Governing Council of WPDO, an organization aligned with promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly around peace, gender equality, and youth empowerment.

This international recognition further highlights Sithara’s role not only as an artist but also as a cultural ambassador—using rhythm, tradition, and leadership to build bridges and advocate for a more inclusive and peaceful world.

She bangs the drums - Bangkok Post

In 2018, Thuryaa was invited as the main entertainment partner at the Plan International Asia Region Book Launch Ceremony, held on 3 December in Bangkok, Thailand. The event, organized by Plan International Asia Hub in partnership with UNFPA Asia and Pacific Regional Office, focused on a critical mission—eliminating child, early, and forced marriage across Asia.

Carrying the theme:

“Their Time is Now – Time to Act!”,

the event brought together voices from across the region to promote equality, youth advocacy, and social change.

Thuryaa received a formal invitation from the organizers, recognizing the group as Sri Lanka’s first all-female percussion ensemble—a powerful symbol of resistance in a space historically dominated by men.

Led by Sithara, the team delivered a compelling performance that blended rhythm with purpose. Through traditional Sri Lankan drumming, they stood in solidarity with girls and women from all walks of life—turning music into a message.

More than just a performance, this appearance became a statement. It showcased the strength of cultural identity, the value of women’s voices in art, and the role of creative expression in pushing for change.

Thuryaa’s participation was fully sponsored by Plan International Asia—further affirming the group’s growing international recognition and impact.

This moment marked another important milestone in Thuryaa’s journey—where tradition met activism, and rhythm became a voice for progress.

2018 The International Drum Arts Festival in New Taipei City - New Taipei City Government

In 2018, Sithara and the Thuryaa team had the incredible opportunity to perform at the New Taipei City International Drum Arts Festival in Taiwan.

With support from the Folk World Organization, Thuryaa joined some of the world’s top percussion groups for this global celebration of rhythm and culture.

It was a proud moment to represent Sri Lanka on such a prestigious stage. The all-female group performed traditional Sri Lankan drumming to an international audience—sharing our culture, energy, and passion for percussion.

This festival was another big step in Sithara’s journey, and in Thuryaa’s mission to take Sri Lankan rhythms to the world.

In February 2018, Thuryaa received an official recommendation letter from the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), High Commission of India, acknowledging the group’s successful participation in the 8th International Dance and Music Festival held across New Delhi, Bhubaneswar, and Varanasi.

Led by Sithara, Thuryaa performed as Sri Lanka’s all-female percussion ensemble—representing the University of Visual and Performing Arts at this major international cultural event. The letter recognizes not only the ensemble’s musical excellence but also the leadership and artistic direction that brought the team to this platform.

The ICC’s endorsement is a significant honor and a reflection of Sithara’s dedication to promoting Sri Lankan traditional drumming on the global stage. It stands as a proud moment in Thuryaa’s journey and further validates the group’s growing international reputation.

• Marching to her own beat - The Hindu
• Lankan drummer-dancers win hearts in city - The Pioneer
  

In 2018, Sithara and her all-female drumming group, Thuryaa, were invited to perform at the 8th International Dance & Music Festival held at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar, India.

The event was organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and brought together artists from different parts of the world for a celebration of cultural harmony and creativity.

Thuryaa’s performance stood out for its vibrant energy and traditional Sri Lankan rhythms. It was not just a performance—it was a proud moment of representing Sri Lankan heritage and women in art on an international stage.

This was another important milestone in Sithara’s journey as a cultural leader—proving once again that traditional percussion has no boundaries when passion leads the way.

In December 2017, Thuryaa had the honour of performing at the River Brahmaputra Art Festival in Guwahati, Assam, organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). The event, also known as The India Show, brought together over a hundred artists from across South Asia in a vibrant celebration of culture, music, and connection.

Thuryaa proudly represented Sri Lanka, performing a powerful piece that combined traditional Sri Lankan drumming with graceful stage presence. The performance stood out not only for its rhythm and energy, but also for the meaning it carried—as an all-female group performing on an international stage.

Led by Sithara, Thuryaa’s performance was warmly received by the audience and organizers. It was a special moment that highlighted both the strength of Sri Lankan percussion and the importance of giving women a voice in spaces traditionally dominated by men.

This festival was a proud chapter in Thuryaa’s journey and another step forward in sharing our rhythm with the world.

In November 2015, Thuryaa, Sri Lanka’s first all-female traditional drumming ensemble, proudly embarked on its first international tour—a defining moment in the group’s history and a breakthrough for Sri Lankan performing arts. The destination was Punjab, India, where Thuryaa represented Sri Lanka at the prestigious 18th Global Female Folk Dance Competition & Carnival, organized by the Charu Castle Foundation (CCF) in partnership with Lovely Professional University.

This global event gathered female folk artists from over 30 countries, celebrating music, dance, and cultural exchange on an international stage. Amid this vibrant and competitive atmosphere, Thuryaa emerged as a standout force, winning First Place in both the Best Dance and Best Music categories.

Led by visionary artist and founder Sithara Dampahalage Don, the ensemble captivated audiences and judges with a powerful display of Sri Lankan rhythmic traditions—seamlessly blending Kandyan, Low Country, and Sabaragamuwa drumming styles with dynamic choreography and commanding stage presence.

This historic achievement marked the beginning of Thuryaa’s international journey and was a pivotal milestone in Sithara’s mission to elevate and globalize Sri Lankan percussion art, especially by empowering women in a domain traditionally closed to them.