A Sri Lankan Odyssey
A Sri Lankan Odyssey featuring the the Ranranga Dance Academy (Sri Lanka)
Photos of actual event held on 4th till 8th July 2011, 5-6pm at Bukit Timbalan:
Three main dancing forms in Sri Lanka
- Kandyan dance
- Low country dance
- Sabaragamuwa dance
- Baratha Natyam
Kandyan Dance was originated in Kandy. It is an exorcism ritual known as the Kohomba Kankariya.
Ves Dance originated from an ancient purification ritual, the Kohomba Yakuma or Kohomba Kankariya and is performed only by males.
Naiyandi Dance is performed during the initial preparations of the Kohomba Kankariya festival and in Maha Visnu (Vishnu) and Kataragama Devales temples on ceremonial occasions.
Uddekki Dance, the name comes from the Uddekki (small lacquered hand drum in the shape of an hourglass, about 7.5 inches (18 centimeters) high. It is a very difficult instruments to play. The performer sings as he plays, tightening the strings to obtain variations of pitch.
Pantheru dance uses the instrument dedicated to the goddess Pattini and is said to have originated in the days of Prince Siddhartha. The instrument used to celebrate victories in war. Its costume is similar to the uddekki dancers.
Low Country Dance is executed in order to calm the malignant spirits who provoke the diseases. Yak Bera (the “demon drum”) plays an important a role and the dancers wear representing masks.
Baratha Natyam is a classical dance form originating in Tamil Nadu and is mostly practiced in Northern and Western parts of Sri Lanka.
