http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/13 Tue, 20 Oct 2026 07:28:13 GMT 2026-10-20T07:28:13Z http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/3306 Immersive digital environment to enhance accessibility and engagement with traditional music Samarasinghe, K This study integrates an immersive digital environment to enhance accessibility and engagement with traditional music. Sri Lankan traditional music types such as bullock-cart songs, boatman songs, kamath gee, and watch hut songs were used as musical forms for this study. The proposed VR application provides an immersive educational experience for contemporary audiences. Given the intangible nature of these traditions and their declining practice, the application aimed to bridge the generational gap by leveraging VR technology to recreate these cultural expressions in their original context. The VR environment was designed using a structured design pipeline. Evaluation was conducted to assess the usability, cultural authenticity, and educational effectiveness of the developed VR application. The results demonstrate the potential of the application as an innovative tool for intangible cultural heritage preservation and transmission. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/3306 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/3304 Musical Instruments of the Tamil Peoples of Batticaloa, Sri Lanka Samarasinghe, K Musical instruments play a pivotal role in the cultural fabric of communities. This research delves into the rich musical heritage of the Tamil community in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, exploring the diverse range of traditional musical instruments that play a pivotal role in their cultural expressions. Through a comprehensive ethnographic study, this research examine the historical significance, craftsmanship, and sociocultural context surrounding these musical instruments. Data were collected using combination of qualitative interviews, field observations, and archival research to document and analyze the various musical instruments unique to the Tamil peoples of Batticaloa. The Parai, for instance, continues to be associated with the Parai Mela Kooththu, a tradition of dancing with the drum accompanied by a double-reed instrument called Sornali. Other instruments such as Mathalam, Uduku, Nadaswaram, and Thavil each carry its distinct cultural narrative, contributing to the vibrant musical tapestry of the region. Findings reveal not only the cultural significance of these musical instruments but also their multifaceted role in fostering community identity, preserving historical connections, and serving as living embodiments of artistic heritage. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/3304 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/3224 Towards an approach for the creation of digital archives for two-dimensional (2D) artefacts in Sri Lanka Wickramasinghe, WAP; Jayasiri, A. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/3224 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2559 Representations of Livelihood and Familial Bonds in Traditional Vedda Songs Embogama, S; Samarasinghe, K; Nethsinghe, R The Vedda community is widely regarded as Sri Lankan aborigines. Throughout the centuries, they have managed to maintain a distinct cultural identity with their own belief systems, traditions, and rituals, and close affiliation to nature. The main aim of the study is to critically evaluate traditional Vedda songs to observe how they represent the familial bonds, livelihood, hardships, and the simplicity of their needs. Using a qualitative methodology that incorporates a corpus-based approach combined with a mini-ethnographic design, the research critically analyzes early twentieth-century popular Vedda songs through data gathered from the corpus and the field visits to Dambana and Henanigala. The findings reveal that, while appearing simplistic, these songs encapsulate complex themes, including the Veddas' deep connection to nature, hunting and honey-gathering practices, reliance on forest resources, familial bonding, and spiritual affiliations. These traditional Vedda songs remain an invaluable repository of the Vedda community's heritage, offering insights into their way of life and values gradually ceasing to exist. The study underscores the urgent need for documentation and preservation of the Vedda songs to sustain this vanishing song tradition while recommending longitudinal research to explore further and safeguard the musical legacy of this Indigenous community. Further, a digital repository of the traditional Vedda songs should be created, and measures could be taken to revitalize them through activities that encourage intergenerational transmission in order to revive this dying art form. Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.lib.vpa.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2559 2025-03-01T00:00:00Z