Colombo, Sri Lanka- RHYTHMS of Sri Lanka-(4 of 4)

Rhythms of Sri Lanka - A Cultural Voyage in Motion (9 videos)

The Kandyan Dance routine featured intricate traditional costumes and drummers. The Kandyan originating from the sacred royal courts of the central hills emphasizes regal dignity, sharp geometric postures, athletic leaps, and rapid synchronized spins and is driven by the Geta Beraya (a dual-headed barrel drum slung around the waist). Performers wore the Su-Seta Abharana (64 sacred ornaments) with striking, ray-like silver tiara/headdresses, heavy chest plates of silver beads, and wide silver armlets.

The Low-Country dance component is from the southern coastal plains and was more theatrical, rhythmic, deeply rooted in folklore, ritual healing, and spiritual exorcisms. It was performed to the hypnotic, booming rhythms of the Yak Beraya (a long, cylindrical drum) with a tempo that was faster and driving. Dancers wore flowing garments and hand-carved, vividly painted masks made from lightweight local Kaduru wood. There were storytelling dances mimicking the majestic movements of sacred creatures (specifically peacocks and elephants) and acrobatics backflips, sweeping leaps, and spinning sequences. The performance also featured Plate Spinning (Raban Natum) with multiple wide flat drums (Rabana) or porcelain plates on the tips of slender sticks, balancing them on their hands, mouths, or heads while maintaining active dance footwork.

Lastly, the Tamil Dance is a Bharatanatyam tradition with intricate hand gestures as we noticed and were mesmerized.Read more