Kandyan dance

 

Kandyan dance is a dance tradition that originated in the central hills of Sri Lanka.It is one of the major Sinhala dance traditions.It is a dance tradition that originated in the central highlands of Sri Lanka.In the 19th century only men danced and today women also dance.According to legends, Kandyan dance originated in Sri Lanka through a ritual called Kohomba Kankariya performed by a group of Indian monks who came to Sri Lanka.The main costume of the Kandyan dance tradition is the Ves costume and the Kandyan Ves dance is one of the most important cultural aspects of Sri Lanka.

Nai adi ,Udakki dance, Pantheru dance, Wannam are some of the Kandyan dances.Gatabera is one of the main instruments in the Kandyan dance tradition.Thalampota is another specialty product.It is used to maintain the rhythm of the dancer.The Kohombakankariya Shantikarma is known as the main Shantikarma.. This dance tradition is spread in Kandy, Udunuwara, Yati Nuwara Sath Koralaya, Satara Koralaya etc. Mr. Wilson Olaboduwa, Mr. Arnolis Imbulgoda, Mr. Chithrasena Dias ..... are the artists who contributed to the development of Kandyan dance.

In 1970, Chithrasena Dias adapted the Kandyan dance tradition to suit the stage, and he also wrote several versions of the ballet using the movements and characteristics of the Kandyan dance tradition. Similarly, his popularity was partly due to the reduction of caste around dance and the creation of interesting dramas in keeping with the Kandyan dance tradition to suit today's urban audiences. At present he has set up a large theater called the Chithrasena Theater to teach Kandyan dance.