Figure 1.--Here a small Sri Lanka boy dancer is preparig to perform a Kandyan dance. Note that he is wearing a cowl made by a cloth.. |
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There are several different types of traditional dance. These include Kandyan dances, Sabaragamuwa dances, low-country dances, devil dances, and several others. Some of these different dances can be sub-categorized further.
Kandyan dances are probably the most important of the various Sri Lankan traditional dances. It is generally regarded as the national dance form. Kandyan dances evolved in the Kandy Kingdom. This was the kingdom in the interior of Sri Lanka that proved most resiliant against the Europeans. Many of the dances depict stories associated with the Kandy kings, queens, princes and heroes. The dance style probably is a good representation of dances in Kandy. The image here is a boy costumed for Kandyan dance and it is the most popular traditional dance in Sri Lanka (figure 1). Kandy costumes can be very impressive. Male dance costumes can include spectacular headwear. Bare chests are decorated with intricte silver regalia. There are also silver bangles on arms and anklets. The dances are set to drum rhythms. Sabaragamuwa dance is particularly popular in Ratnapura. The dance is performed as devotions to Saman. Low country dance are an effort to appease the evil spirits which can bring diseases. Low country dancers often use masks. These masks resemble birds, demons, reptiles etc. showing animest origins. The dance itself is highly ritualistic. In devil dances, the dances are performed by the artists who wear different kind of masks and it also used as a treatment for diseases caused by “Unseen Hands”.
There are several different types of traditional dance. These include Kandyan dances, Sabaragamuwa dances, low-country dances, devil dances, and several others. Some of these different dances can be sub-categorized further.
Kandyan dances are probably the most important of the various Sri Lankan traditional dances. It is generally regarded as the national dance form. Kandyan dances evolved in the Kandy Kingdom. This was the kingdom in the interior of Sri Lanka that proved most resiliant against the Europeans. Many of the dances depict stories associated with the Kandy kings, queens, princes and heroes. The dance style probably is a good representation of dances in Kandy. The image here is a boy costumed for Kandyan dance and it is the most popular traditional dance in Sri Lanka (figure 1). Kandy costumes can be very impressive. Male dance costumes can include spectacular headwear. Bare chests are decorated with intricte silver regalia. There are also silver bangles on arms and anklets. The dances are set to drum rhythms.
Sabaragamuwa dance is particularly popular in Ratnapura. The dance is performed as devotions to Saman. Sabaragamuwa and Kandy (which is thel Province of Sri Lanka) are neighboring provinces/areas of Sri Lanka. From ancient days, people of
these two areas traded and associated with each other. So their cultures, behavior and language patterns are very similar (but have very small differences which are difficult to recognize). These similarities have of course also affected the dance forms.
Low country dance are an effort to appease the evil spirits which can bring diseases. Low country dancers often use masks. These masks resemble birds, demons, reptiles etc. showing animest origins. The dance itself is highly ritualistic.
In devil dances, the dances are performed by the artists who wear different kind of masks and it also used as a treatment for diseases caused by “Unseen Hands”.
Many of these dances are performed in solo and also group performances.
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