Mallung Records launches to champion leftfield Sri Lankan artists
The label just released its debut single, with a dance music compilation built around a past residency's drum sample pack on the way
On April 10, Mallung Records released its debut track, 'Monkey (feat. Nuwan Gunawardhana)' by musician and doctoral researcher Vinthya Perinpanathan.
Founded by Rachitha Seneviratne, the label officially launched in January 2026 at an event in Colombo.
Its name comes from a staple Sri Lankan dish (a mix of green leaves, shredded coconut, and spices) and loosely describes the label's genre-fluid, multi-source approach.
Seneviratne conceived the idea after spending three months in Sri Lanka in early 2025, connecting with the artistic community in his father's homeland.
The label grew partly out of an active residency programme.
In September 2025, Mallung co-hosted Rhythm Residency alongside SpaceEka, bringing together two traditional ritual drummers and eight contemporary artists to explore Sri Lankan drumming and folk rituals across the Udarata, Pahatharata, and Sabaragamuwa traditions.
Read this next: Meet Jambutek: the long-running face of Sri Lanka’s underground
'Monkey' was devised during that residency and recorded on the outskirts of the Sinharaja Rainforest.
The track centres the conch shell, played by Nuwan Gunawardhana, who applies extended techniques from other musical practices to an instrument used across both Sinhalese and Tamil communities.
The bera drums (typically prominent in Pahatharata and Sabaragamuwa ritual contexts) are pushed to the background, with natural sounds, bass, and Vinthya's violin more prominent in the mix.
Read this next: Mixmag Asia Radio: DIY heroes Bhai Bhai Soundsystem take over Sri Lanka
Beyond the record label, Mallung runs club nights, listening parties, concerts, and exhibitions, with a mission "to cultivate creative freedom with leftfield Sri Lankan artists—both on the island and in the diaspora—and share their work with a global audience."
Further releases are planned in the coming months, including a dance music compilation built around the residency's drum sample pack.
Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.
Cut through the noise - sign up for our weekly Scene Report or follow us on Instagram to get the latest from Asia and the Asian diaspora!
