Unleashing Kandyan dance rituals with ‘Dancing for the Gods’

Saturday, 1 October 2011 00:54 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A performance titled ‘Dancing for the Gods’ by Chitrasena Dance Company will be held on Friday, 7 October, at the Lionel Wendt Theatre at 7.00 pm.

The performance is said to be a celebration of the Kohomba Yak Kankariya, a Kandyan Dance Ritual. The ancient language of the Kandyan Dance is used to explore how the art form has developed over the years. The ritual has been performed for over thousands of years to cure afflictions and ward off evil and in ‘Dancing for the Gods’, the troupe will dance to a new interpretation of it to cure the dying art form of obsolescence.

Through innovation and artistic experimentation, they will usher the old art form into a new era of discovery.

‘Dancing for the Gods’ is choreographed and directed by Heshma, Chitrasena and Vajira’s eldest granddaughter, who has combined her lifelong learning of the traditional dance with her training in modern dance and theatre, to form the production.

Thaji, the youngest granddaughter of Vajira and Chitrasena will be the star of the show and will be supported by the talented and highly skilled dancers and drummers of the Chitrasena Dance Company.

The performance received rave reviews and a standing ovation from an appreciative audience when it first premiered in 2010.