INTRODUCTION ABOUT SRI LANKA DANCES 

 KANDYAN DANCE
The Kandyan Dance is traditionally performed to drum beating only. The most common drum 
the Geta Beraya, which is only used in Kandyan Dance. To assist the dancer to keep rhythm a
small pair of cymbals knows as the Thalampota is also used. The Vannam’s however have lyrics
that are sung in tune with the movements of the dancer. These lyrics sing about the virtues of the
animal that the Vannama is depicting. This form of dance has developed from the period of
Kandyan kings and today is regarded as the national dance of Sri Lanka. The costumes of Kandy
and dancers are striking.

 These lyrics sing about the virtues of the animal that the Vannama is depicting. This form of dance has developed from the period of Kandyan kings and today is regarded as the national dance of Sri Lanka. The costumes of Kandyan dancers are striking.The comes from the Sinhala word varnaThe Kandyan Dance is traditionally performed to drum beating only. The most common drum is the Geta Beraya, which is only used in Kandyan Dance. To assist the dancer to keep rhythm a small pair of cymbals knows as the Thalampota is also used. The Vannam’s however have lyrics that are sung in tune with na. Ancient Sinhala texts refer to a considerable number of vannam that were only sung; later they were adapted to solo dances, each expressing a dominant idea. History reveals that the Kandyan king Sri Weeraparakrama Narendrasinghe gave considerable encouragement to dance and music. In this kavikara maduwa there were song and poetry contests.

It is said that the kavi for the eighteen principal vannam were composed by an old sage named Ganithalankara, with the help of a Buddhist priest from the Kandy temple. The vannam were inspired by nature, history, legend, folk art, and sacred lore, and each is composed and interpreted in a certain mood (rasaya) or expression of sentiment. The eighteen classical vannam are,

•  Gajaga Vannama  
•  Thuranga Vannama
•  Mayura Vannama 
•  Gahaka Vannama
•  Uranga Vannam 
• Mussaladi Vannama
• Ukkussa Vannama 
• Vyrodi Vannama 
• Hanuma Vannama 
• Savula Vannama 
• Sinharaja Vannama    
• Kirala Vannama
• Eeradi Vannama
• Surapathi Vannama 
• Ganapathi Vannama
• Uduhara Vannama      
• Assadhrusa Vannama, 

These are the 18 types of Kandyan dance. Originally a vannam (orwannam) was a kind of recitation. Most vannam describe the behavior of animals such as elephants, monkeys, rabbits, peacock, cocks, serpents etc. Later dancers have used the vannam as a background song for their performance. There are 18 vannam in the Kandyan dance form. Traditionally a dancer would have to learn to perform all of these vannam before they would be gifted the ves costume. The most well known among these are the hanuma vannama (monkey), The ukusavannama (engel) and the gajaga vannama (elephant).

LOW COUNTRY DANCE (Pahatharata Natum)

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 pahatharata style known as the (Sanni Yakuma|Daha Ata Sanniya) held to exorcise 18 types of diseases from the human body.

SABARAGAMU DANCE (Sabaragamu Natum)

The Sabaragamuwa dance tradition is fundamentally a depiction of the rite of worship. The dances

portray rituals intended for the pantheon of gods. The Sabaragamuwa dances are distinguishable because they are sacrosanct performances to invoke blessings from the gods, so that the goodness that comes forth from them will overcome evil. The dancers never raise their hands above their heads; instead, their arms are extended backward at an angle to their bodies. On the other hand, the mandiya is a commonly used position in this dance form, like in the Kandyan and low country dances.

DEVIL 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. If an individual or a family is not doing well, the village-folk believe that it’s because that person or the

family is being harassed by unseen hands. A ‘thovil’ ceremony is the answer.The ‘thovil’ can be a simple ritualistic ceremony at home restricted to family and immediate neighbors or involving the whole village like the ‘gam-maduva’ or the ‘devol-maduva’ which is closely linked to the worship     of gods. Masked dancers take part in at least two of the well-known ‘thovil’ ceremonies referred to as the ‘Maha Sohon Samayama’ and the ‘Gara Yakuma’. The mention of ‘Maha Sohona’ frightens the people since he is believed to be the demon of the graveyards.The performer disguises himself as a bear and wears a mask and a dress to resemble one. Often the ‘thovil’ involves the ‘sanni’ dances where all the dancers wear masks. The ‘daha ata sanniya’ refers to sixteen ailments with a demon being responsible for each one of them.Dancers wearing masks take part in processions while at certain ceremonies, masks are used to depict different characters. Of later origin are the masks worn by children and teenagers at street performances during Vesak. Popularly known as ‘olu bakko’ for the simple reason that oversize masks are worn, these performances keep the younger-folk, in particular, entertained.This dance is very famous dance in Sri Lanka.