Dancing

Our expert Sri Lanka

Dancing

Textile industry, Sri Lanka The textile industry is prominent in Sri Lanka, where Batik printing is a speciality © Günter Fischer / age fotostock

Discovery of sites on the cultural triangle will definitely include dance shows. Dances by masked devils, ritual and semi-religious dances and original Kandy dances with motley costumes are all part and parcel of the people's culture.
The Kandyan dance is the official Sri Lankan dance and dates back to the era of the Kandyan kings. It is divided into four versions and numerous gestures mimick the movements of animals. The dancer wears a large skirt and is topless, wearing several silver and ivory necklaces as well as bracelets and silver rings on their feet. These dancers, accompanied by musicians and drummers, pirouette and jump.
Originating in India, the disguised drama is divided into 4 categories. Danced at night, these dances take place once a year and last 7 to 10 minutes only. Dancers, drummers, singers and a master of ceremony grace the traditional drama. Masks hide the faces of the dancers. The most renowned of these dramas is the Kolam (Tamil word for costume or disguise), which involves several grotesque and shapeless characters (53).
You can admire these masks at the mask museum in Ambalangoda.