Reviving tradition and passion
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).
Opening the refurbished Upper-Ryde House - Oriental Music Studio
Despite the Oriental Music Society at Trinity having a rich history spanning four decades, the society had gone into decline. The Trinity College administration, with its co-curricular enrichment initiative of the T150 Sesquicentennial anniversary, was determined to revive aesthetic education at Trinity, despite the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country. With this initiative by Principal Fr. Araliya Jaysundara, a spark was lit in January 2022, when a like-minded group of past members rallied to revive the OMS, replenish much-needed musical instruments and relocate the music room. Their ambition extended to the revival of the historic Upper-Ryde to 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 May 27, 2022.
OTOMA also published a book titled ‘Re-Development of Oriental Music Society’ that 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.
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.
The Oriental Music Orchestra practising at the new facility
Taking forward the vision of the great Rev. Fraser, OTOMA initiated multiple projects for music and cultural enrichment at Trinity and beyond. ‘Do-Nations’, a charity initiative was aimed at uplifting aesthetic education, especially in underprivileged schools across the island.
Bringing the performative dimension of students to the limelight through national-level musical shows, Theevra 2023, a musical extravaganza was presented by the students of OMS with renowned Sri Lankan artists, Mihindu Ariyaratne and Umara Singhawansa.
As part of its ongoing efforts to recognise and inspire excellence, in 2023, OTOMA introduced the ‘Gayan Welikumbura Special Prize for Best Student in Oriental Music’ in honour of Gayan Welikumbura, one of the most celebrated OMS Presidents, a Ryde Gold Medalist and Senior Prefect.
Collaboration with the Ministry of Education, gave life to its national charity initiative ‘Do-Nations’. This programme identified nine schools (one in each province) with children of 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 St. Thomas Girls’ School(Central Province), followed by Vidya Vidyalaya in Monaragala, (Uva Province), that emerged 1st in the All-island Music and Dancing competition conducted by the Ministry of Education. M/S Pasgoda Maha Vidyalaya in Matara was next, then Amubuwangala Kanishta Vidyalaya in Rambukkana (Sabaragamuwa Province). They won the 1st place in 2024 at the all-island competitions.
OTOMA has invited Amubu-wangala Kanishta Vidyalaya to join at Theevra 2025 on September 20 at NICD, Kandy. Edward Jayakodi and Umariya Sinhawansa will also take the stage.
OTOMA’s next chapter in Do-Nations is bringing all nine schools together to perform at the national level, as well as schools in all 25 districts of the island (one school from each district) together for a mega musical evening.
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