Sunil Santha’s journey into music was not a mere coincidence of talent—it was the
outcome of an extraordinary academic foundation, bold choices, and an unwavering
pursuit of mastery.
Born as Baddaliyanage Don Joseph John, Sunil Santha’s academic brilliance shone
early. In 1931, he topped the island in the School Leaving Certificate Examination—an
equivalent of today’s A/Ls—becoming the best-performing student in Ceylon. Initially
pursuing a career in teaching, he trained as a Sinhala teacher and was known for his love
for invention, language, and exploration of knowledge.
But it was music that truly called him. In 1939, he enrolled at Santiniketan, the cultural
university founded by Rabindranath Tagore. After a year immersed in the arts and
philosophies of the East, he transferred to Bhatkhande Music University in Lucknow,
India—Asia’s most prestigious institution for Hindustani music.