Dance 2

Sabaragamuwa dance

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

According to the legend, the origins of the Kandiyan dance lie in an exorcism ritual known as the Kohomba Kankariya, which was originally performed by Indian shamans who came to the island of Sri Lanka.



Low Country Dance

Dances in low country is 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.

MASK Dance - Low country showing the killing by the Gurula (a bird) of a cobra. This is usually performed to drive away evil spirits and is still being used as a method of psychiatric treatment.



The Kandyan Dance

The Kandyan Dance is traditionally performed to percussion only. The most common drum is the Geta Beraya, which is only used in Kandyan Dance. To assist the dancer to keep rhythm a small pair of cymbals knows as the Thalampota is also used. The Vannam's however have lyrics that are sung in tune with the movements of the dancer. These lyrics sing about the virtues of the animal that the Vanna is depicting.