Cultural Exchange & Cultural Studies with respect to Nepal & Sri Lanka ISA 2016 - Boralanda Dharmapala vidyalaya Cultural Dances of Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan cultural dances Traditional dance of Sri Lanka is divided in to three main styles Kandyan dances: Hill country dance Low country dances Sabaragamuwa dances These three classical dance forms differ in their styles of body- movements and gestures, in the costumes worn by the performers, and in the shape and size of the drums used to provide rhythmic sound patterns to accompany the dancing.

Kandyan dancing style Kandyan dance takes its name from Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka, which is situated about 120 kilometers from the modern capital at Colombo. It features a highly developed system of "tala" (rhythm), provided by cymbals called "thalampataa". There are five distinct types; the ves, naiyandi, uddekki, pantheru, and vannams. The drum used in Kandyan dancing is known as the Geta Bera. (Bera means drum) It has a body which tapers on both sides and beaten with hands.

Ves dance (Main dancing style of hill country) "Ves" dance, the most popular, originated from an ancient purification ritual, the Kohomba Kankariya. The dance was propitiatory, never secular, and performed only by males. The elaborate ves costume, particularly the headgear, is considered sacred and is believed to belong to the deity Kohomba. Only toward the end of the 19th century were ves dancers first invited to perform outside the precincts of the Kankariya Temple at the annual Kandy Perahera festival. Today the elaborately costumed ves dancer epitomizes Kandyan dance.

Ves dance ctd..

Low country dancing style Dances in low country are highly ritualistic. This form of dance is performed to appease evil spirits which cause sickness and is thus called 'Devil Dance'. The dancers wear masks depicting many characters varied in forms of bird, demons, reptiles, etc. There are 18 main dances related to low country style known as the Daha Ata Sanniya held to exorcise 18 types of diseases from the human body. The drum used in low country dance is known as “Yak bera”. Yak Bera has a cylindrical body and beaten with hands.

Devil dances (Low country dance) The "Devil Dances" are an attempt to respond to the common belief that certain ailments are caused by unseen hands and that they should be chased away for the patient to get cured. A 'tovil' ceremony is the answer. Dancers wearing masks depicting different characters take part in processions while at certain ceremonies. The simple version of the devil dance ritual usually starts in the morning with the building of the stage, decorations and preparation of the costumes. The performers build an intricate stage before which the dancing commences. The stage consists of a wall made of freshly cut natural materials such as coconut palm tree and banana tree trunks. The distinctive sound ensures all neighbour turn up to take part.

Devil dance ctd..

Sabaragamuwa dancing style The dances are usually performed in Ratnapura, relating to the worshipping of God Saman much revered by local people. There are 32 main dances in Sabaragamiwa Style. Drum in Sabaragamu dancing as the "Davula“. It is played with a stick on one side and with one hand on the other side also Davula has cylindrical body.

Folk dances Apart from the classical dance forms there are also folk dances, which are associated with folk activities and festivities.  Leekeli (stick dance), kalagedi (pot dance), raban (hand drum), and polkatu (coconut) are folk dances prevalent at the present time.

Traditional drums

Thank you… Created by: Mrs Kokila rajapakshe Thank you… Created by: Mrs Kokila rajapakshe. B/ Boralanda Dharmapala vidyalaya