Ravibandu comes from a strong line of performing and visual artists who created
the perfect backdrop for him to excel in the arts. He is the son of Somebandhu Vidyapathy, well known painter, sculptor and Sri Lanka’s pioneer designer of costumes and sets for dance theatre and Malathi, the reputed Kandyan dancer.

He is the grandson of Guru Alhama Kiriganitha, one of the most revered gurus of Kandyan dance whose ancestral lineage goes back six generation of traditional dance and temple painting.

He received his formal education in performing arts at the Institute of Aesthetic Studies, The University of Kelaniya. His interest in traditional dance was initiated by two leading dancers in Sri Lanka, Vajira and Chitrasena under whom he studied.


He graduated in 1981 from the Chitrasena School of Dance and had his “Ves Bandeema” – the traditional graudation in Kandyan Dance - in 1981. He has also studied the ritual of ‘Kohomba Kankariya’ under Masters Algama Kiriganitha and Bevilgamuwa Lapaya.

He then studied Sri Lanka drums and specialized in the Kandyan drum under Kalasoori Piyasara Silpadhipathi.

In India he studied assical ‘Kathakali’ dance and theatre at the Kerala Kalamandalam and thereafter, studied Hindustani (North Indian Classical) music under Ustad David Appuhamy of Maihar – India.

Ravibandhu has also studied painting, sculpture, costuming and stage décor designing
under Kalasoori Somabandhu Vidyapathy, as well as drama and theatre with special focus on Stanislavski, Shakespeare and Greek drama under Dr. Solomon Fonseka.

Today Ravibandhu is a well known dancer and choreographer known for his expertise in
classical Kandyan dance. Since the inception of his own Dance Company and School in 1984 with his wife Samanthi who is herself a dancer of repute, he has made a reputation for his innovative and experimental choreography.

He has used themes ranging from Greek classics and Shakespeare to Indian epics and Chinese fables. As a musician Ravibandhu has traveled extensively and contributed to introducing traditional Sri Lankan music and drums to audiences worldwide, mainly as a regular ‘WOMAD’ artist.

He has performed with world renowned artists such as Z Hussain, Bill Cobhan and W Marsaillan at various high profile events. Ravibandhu tries to constantly seek new dimensions in traditional drumming by fusing the traditional indigenous style with other styles of world music such as Jazz, Western Classical and Indian Classical.

‘Ravibandu’s artistry derives from intense musicality and the ability to transfer a musician’s sensitivity from inner ear to outer body. His dancing was phrased and the phrasing was intelligent and lucid. Not a beat was bscured – even those that were silent and felt only in the gut. He attacked movements almost imperceptibly early with a drummers drive to the next count.

He moved with an overarching view of where he was coming from and where he was going to. So that he never danced for the moment. Like
waves the phrases surged forward till they rested in serene repose and swelled again.’
Pamela Squires – The Washington Post.