Sri Lankan A Cappella Artist hachajah becomes Double-award winner at the A Cappella Video Awards in the USA

Sri Lankan-born a cappella artist hachajah received significant international recognition after winning two [02] awards - ‘Best Electronic/ Experimental Video’ and ‘Best Indie Video’, at the A Cappella Video Awards (AVAs), recently held in Los Angeles, CA, USA, for his original a cappella music video Mind Gag.

The A Cappella Video Awards are presented annually by the Contemporary A Cappella Society (CASA) and recognise excellence in video production within the global a cappella community. The awards aim to promote innovation, creativity, and continued artistic development within the medium. In addition to his two wins, hachajah earned six [06] nominations for Mind Gag, a remarkable accomplishment in a highly competitive field. He was also named runner-up in four categories: ‘Outstanding Special/Visual Effects’, ‘Outstanding Video Editing’, ‘Best Video by a Non-Scholastic Group’, and ‘Best Alternative Video’.

Performing under the name hachajah, Charith Peris, who grew up in Colombo and is now based in Boston, Massachusetts, is known for creating original a cappella compositions that fuse mainstream pop structures with Sri Lankan rhythmic patterns, vocal textures, and musical influences. His work bridges cultural identity and contemporary global sound, positioning Sri Lankan musical elements within an internationally accessible format.

Commenting on his EP released last year, hachajah stated: “The new EP titled ‘What Lies Within’ opens out a whole new level of depth, expressing emotions that are left unsaid in many spaces. It dives into complex topics with the songs ‘Mind Gag’ and ‘Tan Q’ exploring themes of mental health and ‘Desensitized’ exploring trauma, topics that I feel are important but do not get the attention they so desperately need. Like my previous songs, these are also narratives based on personal experiences in Sri Lanka. However, they encompass much broader ideas than just my own story.”

In addition to the two [02] AVA wins, Mind Gag also received ‘Best Drama Music Video’ at the International Music Video Awards (IMVAs) in October 2025, and ‘Best Pop Music Video’ at the Europe Music Video Awards in December 2025.

hachajah is already in production on multiple new singles scheduled for release throughout the year, with a third EP (compilation) planned for release in late 2026. His upcoming work expands his sonic range through increased use of falsetto, experimental vocal techniques, and varied rhythmic beats and samples, while retaining the distinctive identity that defines the hachajah sound. Following growing international recognition across major music video platforms, this next phase signals continued creative momentum and positions hachajah as an internationally recognised Sri Lankan artist, with a sustained and evolving presence on the global a cappella and music video stage.

Captions

1. Award-winning Sri Lankan A Cappella Artist - hachajah, a.k.a Charith Peris

2. AVAs winner - hachajah

About hachajah/ Charith Peris

hachajah is the musical moniker of Charith Peris, a Sri Lankan-born, Boston-based a cappella artist whose unique sound fuses contemporary pop sensibilities with traditional Sri Lankan rhythms and melodies. His work is a deeply personal tribute to his roots, offering music that resonates with global audiences while honouring the island’s cultural richness.

His formative years in Sri Lanka were steeped in choral performance; most notably as a tenor in the renowned a cappella group The Revelations. In 2012, hachajah joined the prestigious Harvard Glee Club, with whom he performed extensively - including a concert on the Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall in 2013.

Now, as a solo artist, songwriter and producer, hachajah is focused on creating original a cappella music. His debut EP No Place Like received critical acclaim, earning two Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs) in 2024, placing him alongside internationally celebrated a cappella acts. 

hachajah’s music is at once global and grounded - celebrating Sri Lanka’s sounds while pushing the boundaries of a cappella as a genre.