How to learn traditional Kandyan dance style

Dance in Kandy Sri Lanka | Img Credit : Peter van der Sluijs, Dance in Kandy Sri Lanka, CC BY-SA 3.0

Kandyan dancing is the national dance style of Sri Lanka. The dancers wear a striking costume and the dance acts depict various animal movements and portray scenes and stories related to kings, heroes, and the Ramayana. The Kandyan dance acts are amazing to watch but learning the dance style takes years of training and determination.

Origin of Kandyan dance in Sri Lanka

Kandyan dance is said to have originated as an exorcism ritual referred to as ‘Kohomba Kankariya’. According to legend three shamans who originally performed the act, came to Sri Lanka from India. It is said that King Panduwasdev who was suffering from an illness believed to be caused by black magic was cured completely once the shamans performed the Kohomba Kankariya; afterward the locals had adopted this dance style. Originally, people from a certain caste separated under the Kandyan feudal method could only perform Kandyan dance. These dancers were affiliated with the Temple of the Tooth and played a prominent role in the Dalada Perahera (procession), which is held annually. The Kandyan kings were not able to assist the development of the dance during the time Sri Lanka was under British ruling. Later on, Kandyan dance was revived for stage performances however they are still a prominent part of the Dalada Perahera and many other professions in the country.

Kandyan dance costume

Kandyan dancers wear the most striking costume called the ‘ves’ costume. What is most prominent is the male dancers’ costume. Male dancers wear a sarong style garment with his bare upper body covered with a silver beaded net. There is also an elaborate headgear called the ‘ ves thatuwa’ along with bangles, armlets, and anklets all in silver. It is only the male dancers who can wear the headgear of the costume. But even they need to pass a special ceremony called ‘ves mangalaya’ during which they wear the first ves costume. Generally, male dancers go through the ‘ves mangalaya’ after years of training. There is a lot of preparation for the ceremony such as refraining from eating fish or meat or consuming alcohol for a certain period until the rituals are performed. The female dancers wear less elaborate costumes. The ceremony followed by the female dancers is called ‘kalaveny mangalya’. But the female dancers will never wear the ves thattuwa or the headgear since it is considered bad luck to do so.

Music for the dance performances

Musical Instruments

Kandyan dance is generally performed to percussion only and the ‘Geta Beraya’ (drum) is only used in this dance style. The ‘Thammettama’, which is a double set of drums, played with cane drumsticks is also used. To assist the dancer to stay in tune with the rhythm a small cymbal called the ‘thalampota’ is played.

Vannam

There are certain songs or recitations done during Kandyan dance performances and they are called ‘vannam’. These songs co-relate with the dance act. There are eighteen vannam and a traditional dancer needs to learn all eighteen of these before their ‘ves mangalaya’ or ‘kalaveny mangalya’.

Kandyan dance performances

Today, Kandyan dance performance is an integral part of the local culture. Tourists staying in luxury hotels Kandy such as the Earl’s Regency should never miss a chance to see this dance acts performed with grandeur and grace. The local dance schools still an emphasis on the importance of following Kandyan dancing as their foundation and it is the main dance style taught in all state-owned schools in the country. Learning Kandyan dancing requires commitment as well as a passion to learn. It is also a dance performance done with a lot of devotion and respect.