Reviving Tradition, Inspiring Future: The Story of OTOMA at Trinity College, Kandy
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Unveiling the newly refurbished Upper-Ryde House-New Oriental Music Studio Arena on 27th May 2022
In the heart of the hill capital of Sri Lanka, where traditions meet excellence, an initiative was born; one that echoes through rhythms of tabla beats, the resonance of sitars, and the cultural richness of oriental music. This is the story of the Old Trinitians’ Oriental Music Association (OTOMA), a tale of revival, dedication, and passion that bridges generations.
OTOMA is a collective of determined past pupils from Trinity College, Kandy (TCK), who came together in 2022 to reignite a long-standing legacy of the Oriental Music Society (OMS). What started as an initiative to restore musical instruments and facilities quickly evolved into something far more impactful: the formation of the Old Trinitians’ Oriental Music Association (OTOMA).
Trinity College Oriental Music Orchestra practicing at the new facility with new instruments
Despite the Oriental Music Society at Trinity having a rich history spanning four decades, later developments had put the society in a state of decline. The Trinity College administration, with its co-curricular enrichment initiative of the T150 Sesquicentennial anniversary, was determined to revive the aesthetic education at Trinity. With this initiative by the Principal Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasindara, a spark was lit in January 2022, when a like-minded group of past members of OMS rallied to address this urgent need to revive the OMS, replenish much-needed musical instruments and relocate the music room. Their ambition extended from a mere restoration of a music room to the revival of the historic Upper-Ryde to a glorious state and the creation of studio space for music that has the capacity to absorb a robust academic programme. The ‘Oriental Music Studio Arena’, was dedicated to Trinity on 27th May 2022.
OTOMA compiled and published a book titled “Re-Development of Oriental Music Society” to document the revival of OMS, which was officially handed over to the Principal of Trinity College, Kandy. Complementing the publication, a documentary film was produced to visually narrate the journey. The OTOMA went further, to document the architecture of Ryde house as a set of measured drawings with the expertise of the students and staff of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa. The publication was handed over to the Trinity College Archives.
Having successfully completed this initiative, OTOMA was officially established as a non-profit organisation later in the same year. The coordinating committee, which was instrumental in making the Oriental music Studio and Area a reality, was unanimously appointed as the First Executive Committee of OTOMA. The objectives of the organisation included fostering fellowship among past students, supporting the development of aesthetic education at Trinity College, facilitating opportunities for alumni engagement, organising events to celebrate the College’s achievements etc. OTOMA was formally affiliated with the Trinity College Kandy Old Boys’ Association (TCK OBA) cementing OTOMA’s place within the broader alumni structure.
Taking forward the vision of the great Rev. Fraser, the visionary leader behind Trinity’s golden era, “to be a servant of the Nation”, OTOMA initiated multiple projects for music and cultural enrichment at Trinity and beyond. It is this vision that gave birth to ‘Do-Nations’, a charity initiative aimed at uplifting aesthetic education, especially at underprivileged schools across the island.
Music lesson at the new facility
Trinity College holds pride in bringing the performative dimension of students to the limelight through national-level musical shows; the first being staged in 1988 titled ‘Thrithva Gee Vindana’. The Trinity College administration was yet again determined to revive the performative tradition at Trinity. OTOMA once again stepped in to fulfil this wish. After a decade-long absence, Theevra 2023, organised and sponsored by the OTOMA was the renaissance, a musical extravaganza performed by the students of OMS. This event brought together the best musical talents at Trinity and featured performances by renowned Sri Lankan artists, Mihindu Ariyaratne and Umara Singhawansa. The event was a true celebration of youth and culture, with guest performances from other aesthetic societies and sister schools.
As part of its ongoing efforts to recognise and inspire excellence, OTOMA introduced the ‘Gayan Welikumbura Special Prize for Best Student in Oriental Music’ in honor of Gayan Welikumbura, one of the most celebrated OMS Presidents in history, a Ryde Gold Medalist and a Senior Prefect. He was a model student who shone across academics, sports, and aesthetics. Gayan’s legacy has been preserved through this annual award, first presented during Trinity College’s Annual Prize Day on 17th March 2023 in the presence of his parents, and the award continues to be presented annually. A fixed deposit has been secured to fund the Gayan Welikumbura Memorial Prize in perpetuity.
In keeping with its vision of Rev. Fraser and also of OTOMA to extend a service beyond the gates of Trinity, OTOMA , in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, gave life to its national charity initiative ‘Do-Nations’. This programme identified nine schools (one school in each province) with children with immense talent but lacking basic musical instruments. The income generated through Theevra 2023 and contributions from well-wishers were used for this initiative.
The first beneficiary of “Do-Nations” was made to the neighbouring city of Matale, to St. Thomas Girls’ School(Central Province). They went on to perform and achieved recognition at the national level, which gave OTOMA immense satisfaction that the “ss” is achieving its ultimate objective.
The next Do-Nations was made to Vidya Vidyalaya in Monaragala, a school in the Uva Province. A list of instruments was requested from the Music in-Charge of the school, and OTOMA, within its capacity, extended its maximum support to them. OTOMA was delighted that this educational institution became 1st in the All-island Music and Dancing competition conducted by the Ministry of Education, and their Facebook posts are witnesses to OTOMA’s commitment.
M/S Pasgoda Maha Vidyalaya in Matara (Southern Province) was the third school to receive musical instruments. This beautiful institute nests in the outskirts of Sinharaja where Music meets harmony. A gifted and determined administrative team with talented students will have access to the drum sets, accordions and sitars and hopefully do on to become professional musicians serving the nation in the years to come.
Amubuwangala Kanishta Vidyalaya in Rambukkana (Sabaragamuwa Province), a small yet determined fraternity, was the fourth stop. A school with 100+ students, this primary school produce children with discipline. Despite its limitations in terms of children and facilities, they won the 1st place in 2024 at the all-island competitions.
OTOMA has extended their vision further by inviting Amubuwangala Kanishta Vidyalaya to perform alongside its counterparts at Trinity at Theevra 2025, which is to unfold on 20th September 2025 at NICD, Kandy, with the participation of renowned artists, Edward Jayakodi and Umariya Sinhawansa. This is a living example of “Do-Nations” which means ‘doing’ something back to the Nation, and its effectiveness in the Sri Lankan society which OTOMA will take forward wholeheartedly.
OTOMA has its objectives set. OTOMAs’ next chapter in Do-Nations is bring all 9 schools under one performative umbrella, enabling them to perform at the national level. OTOMA also hopes to explore every corner in all 25 districts on the Island (one school from each district) and bring them all together for a mega musical evening, allowing the budding talent of our nation to become professionals in music.
What began as a small initiative to fix a music room has blossomed into a powerful movement that bridges generations, empowers youth, and elevates the cultural heartbeat of Mother Lanka. Through commitment, creativity, and collaboration, OTOMA stands today as a guardian of tradition and a beacon of light for oriental music in Sri Lanka.
- Rajitha Katugaha and
Kanchana Herath
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