Sihina Lowe Mihira Mewu – Patrick Denipitiya tribute concert.
Neo Papara is a contemporary musical subgenre that evolves from Papara, the Sri Lankan brass band tradition celebrated for its lively, festive, and communal spirit. The term and concept of Neo Papara were coined by Nuwan to define his experimental work with Papara without directly using the traditional name—both as a step toward preserving the original form and as an act of respect for its heritage and values. While Papara has traditionally functioned as background or procession music, Neo Papara reimagines the genre for the concert stage, channeling its vibrant energy into more formal and performative settings. It blends the core ethos of Papara with influences from interdisciplinary and modern performance practices—including elements of theatre, ritual, improvisation, and global musical styles. More than a musical style, Neo Papara is also a practice-led research field, engaging with the social, technical, and ritual dimensions of performance.
