These global awards, considered the highest honour in recorded a cappella music, have previously recognised internationally acclaimed acts like Pentatonix, now a household name in the genre.
hachajah’s debut EP, No Place Like, was awarded Best Semi-Professional Post-Collegiate Album or EP, while his poignant single Colombo Sky earned Best Song by a Solo Performer.
With eight nominations and runner-up honours in two additional categories, this debut marks a breakout moment for the artist - and a significant cultural win for Sri Lanka.
“Winning a CARA was a personal dream. To win two with my first EP is surreal,” hachajah shares.
“These awards are an honour to receive, as they recognise my journey, my Sri Lankan roots, and the stories I carry through music.”
Known for his distinctive fusion of pop a cappella with traditional Sri Lankan narratives and musical elements, hachajah crafts songs that are both deeply personal and widely resonant.
Drawing from his experiences growing up in Colombo during the civil war, his music explores themes of identity, longing, and cultural memory.
The award-winning track Colombo Sky [available on Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music] has already touched a global audience, with over 70,000 views on YouTube and more than 20,000 streams on Spotify.
Listeners have praised its authenticity and emotional depth, with many Sri Lankans noting how it evokes their own memories of home.
The EP No Place Like features three tracks :
Closer, a sultry reflection on youthful desire set against traditional values; Colombo Sky, a layered narrative of the city’s past and future; and Mother, a heartfelt tribute to maternal strength and sacrifice.
These wins represent more than individual achievement - they mark Sri Lanka’s growing influence in global music and celebrate a fresh, dynamic voice representing the island on the world stage.
With this success propelling him forward, hachajah is now working on a music video for his single Mind Gag, and is preparing to release a new EP in the second half of 2025.
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.
Captions
1. (From left) Alexander Koutzoukis, BOSS executive producer - CASA; hachajah; Anthony Pulido, Chief of Staff - CASA; and Jessica Chen, Director of Awards - CASA
2. hachajah - Double-Award Winner at CARA 2025.
