රිද්ම වීරවර්ධන
12 songs performed · 2 compositions
Ridma Weerawardena (රිද්ම වීරවර්ධන, sometimes written Ridma Weerawardana) is a Sri Lankan singer from Colombo known for an experimental fusion sound that sets contemporary electronic and choral arrangements against classical and folk Sinhala roots. He came to wide attention through a long-running partnership with composer Charitha Attalage, and is among the most-streamed voices in the new wave of Sinhala alternative music.
Ridma Weerawardena built his reputation on cinematic, layered productions rather than radio pop, and much of his best-known work pairs his voice with Charitha Attalage’s orchestration. Recordings such as Sandawathiye (සඳවතියේ) and Kuweniye Ma sit at the centre of that catalogue, the latter drawn from the ambitious Kuweni cinematic musical project that reworks the Vijaya and Kuveni legend into song.
He is also a frequent collaborator on large ensemble pieces. Daatha Dara, which he both performs on and helped compose, brings together a group of contemporary Sinhala singers including Dhanith Sri, Dinesh Gamage, Dinupa Kodagoda, Methun SK and Supun Perera.
Beyond the Attalage collaborations, Ridma Weerawardana has released folk-leaning and theatrical numbers such as Nadagam Geeya (Heta Nadagame Man) and the early single Soya Awa (සොයා ආවා). His voice carries equally well on the more intimate Sonduru Siththam and Sansaraye Ma.
Ridma Weerawardena has spent years working with underprivileged and disabled children through music and performance. In 2019 he recorded “Let Them Fly” for the International Labour Organization’s Music Against Child Labour Initiative, a piece released in Sinhala, Tamil and English to mark the World Day Against Child Labour.
Every Sinhala lyric, composition, and song credit by Ridma Weerawardena.
Performed by: Dhanith Sri (ධනිත් ශ්රී), Dinesh Gamage (දිනේෂ් ගමගේ), Dinupa Kodagoda (දිනුපා කෝදාගොඩ), Methun SK (මෙතුන් එස් කේ), Ridma Weerawardena (රිද්ම වීරවර්ධන), Supun Perera (සුපුන් පෙරේරා)