Yesandi Haputantri

Yesandi Michaela Haputantri (born January 23, 2009, in Suva, Fiji), known professionally as Yesandi Haputantri, is a Fiji-Sri Lankan singer-songwriter, dancer, actor, and performer whose work spans music, theatre, film, and live performance.

Early Life and Beginnings

Yesandi Haputantri made her first stage appearance at the age of 3 during her nursery school concert in 2012. Her passion for performance continued throughout childhood, eventually leading her to formally begin performing as a solo artist at age 6 in 2015, under the guidance of her father, Hashan Travis Haputantri.

That same year, she was selected for her silver screen debut in the Sri Lankan feature film Madhura Charika (Joyful Journeys), portraying the young daughter and sister in a family of five. Although filmed in 2015, the film was released in 2018 - when she was 9.

Music Career

Since childhood, Yesandi has actively developed her musical career through local gigs, live performances, concerts, vocal training, and creative projects.

She joined Soul Sounds Academy in February 2022, where she trained under vocal coach Ms. Soundarie David Rodrigo, refining her vocal technique, stagecraft, and expressive abilities. Her performances include concerts, carol services, collaborative works, and solo projects, often combining vocals with piano accompaniment.

Her cover (album) projects include:

• Music For Kids Like Me — Childhood Live Performances Album
• Ave Noel — Christmas Cover Album
• Reflections of the Cross — Lenten Cover Album

Acting and Theatre

Yesandi's acting career extended beyond music through film, short films, television, and theatrical productions.

In 2019, she portrayed the role of “Portia” in a sixth grade school production of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.

In 2024, she made her musical theatre debut with The Workshop Players, SriLanka, portraying the role of “Shprintze” in Broadway's ‘Fiddler on the Roof',

Expanding into filmmaking; in 2025, she wrote, directed, and starred in her independent horror short film PACKAGE X.

Beyond traditional acting roles, Yesandi's work frequently combines music, movement, and theatrical storytelling, reflecting her multidisciplinary approach to performance.

Dance Journey

Haputantri's dance journey began in 2012 through nursery school performances and expanded between 2014 - 2018 as a member of Ranwala Balakaya, where she studied traditional Sri Lankan dance and folk singing. Her early and huge exposure to traditional arts was influenced by her mother, Nisanka Karunaratne, who had a broad and excelling background in traditional dance.

Finding her own path and breaking away from the traditional scene; in 2017, she joined the Deanna School of Dancing, beginning formal ballet training and pursuing her ambition of becoming a ballerina.

Following her early training in ballet, Yesandi spent years largely self-taught, exploring movement independently and developing her abilities through observation, practice, live performance, and experimentation across different styles. During this period, she discovered the artistry of Michael Jackson, whose influence would become a defining element of her artistic development. Inspired by his movement, musicality, stage presence, and attention to detail, she began studying performance techniques and movement styles while gradually shaping her own artistic identity as a dancer.

She later expanded into formal training; in April 2026, she enrolled at Dance Works Centre under the guidance of founder and choreographer Ms. Kanthi Ranchigoda, studying hip-hop, contemporary, jazz, and other dance forms while continuing to develop her individual artistic style and broaden her versatility as a dancer.

INSPIRATION AND INFLUENCE

Above all, a major artistic influence came in 2015; at the tender age of 6, shortly after beginning her journey as a solo performer, Yesandi discovered the late King of Pop - Michael Jackson. Deeply inspired by his work, artistry, movement, musicality, innovation, and commanding stage presence, she began independently studying performance techniques and movement styles, shaping much of her early dance identity.

A devoted admirer of Jackson and his work from a very young age, she immersed herself in his artistry through observation, research, and practice, drawing inspiration from his discipline, precision, and approach to performance. Over the years, his influence became a defining element of her artistic development, contributing significantly to her understanding of rhythm, expression, storytelling, and stagecraft. Known for her perfectionist nature and meticulous attention to detail, Yesandi Haputantri developed a disciplined approach to performance from a young age, dedicating significant time to refining movement, expression, and artistic presentation. Over time, what began as admiration evolved into artistic influence, shaping not only her approach to dance, but also her broader identity as a person, performer and creative artist.