Sri Lankan Kandyan Dance

This traditional art work, gives visitors a visual and aural feast with a deep connection to the island's spirituality and history.

The ‘Kohomba Kankariya’, a ceremonial practice used to ask the blessings from the god to fight against any misfortune, is one of the ancient festivities that gave rise to Kandyan dance. Under the Kandyan rulers, who ruled from the 16th to the 19th century, this dance developed into a sophisticated art form over many years. The dance flourished during this period and became an essential component in royal events and temple rituals.

Experiencing Kandyan Dance is more likely in stepping into the heart of Sri Lanka’s culture. Those rich costumes, energetic motions, and strong rhythms combine to produce an enchanting and insightful event.

Important Aspects of a Performance:

• Sacred Rituals: The dance is deeply connected to Buddhism and is often performed as an offering during temple ceremonies.
• Festivals: The Esala Perahera, a magnificent procession that honors the Sacred Tooth Shrine of Lord Buddha every year in Kandy, with the Kandyan Dance as a highlight. This festival attracts thousands of visitors from around the world.
• Cultural Centers: You may watch live performances of the dance in its original form at a number of locations throughout Sri Lanka, particularly in Kandy.

In Kandyan dance, music is more important since it establishes the mood and tempo of the performance. The primary rhythm is produced by traditional drums, especially the ‘Geta Beraya’. Played with bare hands, this drum is exclusive to Kandyan dance and produces a variety of deep, resonant sounds. The whole experience is improved by the layers of melody and rhythm added by other instruments like flutes and cymbals.

A pleasant combination of sound and movement is produced when the dancers' motions are synchronized with music. They exhibit amazing talent and physical stamina with their rapid and dynamic footwork, elegant spins, and energetic leaps. Therefore, every movement is exact, the result of years of intense practice and commitment.

The performers' elaborate costumes are most remarkable elements. These garments are rich in tradition and symbolism and are more than just ornamental.

• Men's Costumes: ‘Ves’, a headdress is worn by male dancers. The Ves costume also consists of a white ‘jothi’ with artistic designs, silver jewels, and a beaded chest piece. The ‘ves’ can only be worn by dancers who have completed a unique induction process.
• Women's costumes: Female actors dress elegantly in blouses and "jothi" that are frequently decorated with bright colors with designs. Simple headpieces and jewels finish off their outfit, which consisted emphasizing their femininity and grace.

These garments with rich hues, elaborate patterns, and cultural importance make them a crucial component of the Kandyan Dance experience. They reflect Sri Lanka's rich creative traditions while enhancing the performance's visual appeal.

Kandyan dance is a collection of various forms, each with unique characteristics of its own. Few of the primary styles can explore as follows:

•  The most famous Kandyan dance, the Ves dance, which is offered as a sacrifice. It is renowned for its complex ves clothing and strong movements.
•  Pantheru Dance: During their performance, the dancers skillfully control a pantheruwa, an instrument that resembles a tambourine.
• The Naiyandi dance, which is more elegant and less dramatic than the Ves dance, is performed during ceremonies and joyful events.
• Uddekki Dance: This technique involves dancers playing a small drum known as the uddekki while executing complex motions.
• Thelme Dance: Often done during processions and festivities, this dance is well-known for its upbeat and lively rhythm.

Aside from these conventional forms, some shows feature thrilling acts like mask and fire dances, which give the event a dramatic and exciting experience to the audience.

The city of Kandy itself is a wealth of spirituality and history, where it contains a relic of Lord Buddha's tooth. but Kandyan Dance is the centerpiece of Sri Lanka's cultural offerings. Spend some time at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the most significant Buddhist locations worldwide, after seeing a performance. The temple is a place of devotion for Buddhists worldwide and is close to the tranquil Kandy Lake.

Kandy is a must-visit location for anybody interested in Sri Lankan culture and history due to its vibrant markets, leafy botanical gardens with beautiful surroundings.

Kandyan Dance is an exploration of Sri Lankan culture. This dancing style provides an overview into the rich customs and creative legacy of the island. In addition to enjoying an amazing performance, seeing Kandyan Dance can help in better understand the legends, values, and artistic expressions that distinguish Sri Lanka.

Discover the beauty of Kandy and witness this captivating dance form in its natural settings. Experience Sri Lanka’s cultural diversity by including our traditional dance in your travel itinerary.