Traditional  Dances of Sri Lanka

Dance was then initiated in Sri Lanka during the 4th century B.C for the purpose of expelling natural disasters, sickness and greet people and land. At the end of Polonnaruwa period (15th century A.D.), chola influence came into Sri Lanka and was adopted in Sri Lanka folk dancing.

Kandyan Dancing.

Developed from the period of Kandyan kings. The dance imitates movements of animals as there are dancing of elephant and peacock, The costumes of Kandyan dancers are colorfull with white, red, yellow and black mixed. The male dancers with their bare chests decorated with exquisitely silver regalia and spectacular headgear; silver bangles are also worn on the arms and ankles. The performance is companied with hectic rhythms of drums called “gata beraya”. There are 18 main dances in Kandyan Style.

Sbaragamuwa dances.

The dances are usually performed in Ratnapura, relating to the worshipping of God Saman much revered by local people. There are 32 main dances in Sabaragamuwa Style.

Pahatharata dance.

Dances in low country are highly ritualistic. This form of dance is performed to appease evil spirits which cause sickness. 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 Daha Ata Sanniya held to exorcise 18 types of diseases from the human body.

Wanni dance.

Even though not popular a dance form exsit in nothern parts of Sri Lanka by veddha decedents. This form of Dancing involve only few steps and lots of rituals and singing.

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