Papare Band Melbourne – a taste of Sri Lankan culture – Story by Marie Pietersz – Photos courtesy of Band

Papare Band Melbourne – a taste of Sri Lankan culture: Story by Marie Pietersz

Photos courtesy of Band

This year the Papare Band made an appearance at the Australia Day parade in Melbourne at the invitation of the Consular General of Sri Lanka for Victoria, W.G.S. Prasanna. The Sri Lankan community sees the band as a significant part of the Sri Lankan culture in sport and this has now extended to other Australian events.

The Papare Band Melbourne is a well-known feature of sideline entertainment at Australian cricket matches. They now have a presence in the Australian sporting calendar, performing at AFL and Soccer League games and in demand by Councils for community events.

Dihan Nammuni Dewage is the leader of the Band and has this to say on how it started:

“I first took the trumpet to the MCG but security wouldn’t let me take it in because there was a policy of no instruments in the stadium. They said I could leave the instrument with them and collect it on my way out. So I did, and when outside I decided I would play it on my way to the train station. I played one of the most popular Sri Lankan bailas, Surangani. A crowd followed me and started to dance. We stopped at the car park and I played a few more songs. That’s when we thought of forming the band, having found five instrument players (trumpeter, saxophonist, two drummers and a cymbalist). Now we have grown to twenty players and we get invited to entertain at many public events. We also perform at private events, like parties and weddings. We do encourage anyone with talent and passion to come and join us.”

The Papare Band Melbourne has Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts for those who would like to get in touch with them and see what they are doing. The contact is Dihan on 0432 027 704. The band profile brochure is attached.

Story by Marie Pietersz