Major Dance Traditions of Sri Lanka

Major Dance Traditions of Sri Lanka 

                        

The art of dance in Sri Lanka is a thing of the past.  This can be divided into three main parts.  They are,

 * Kandyan dance tradition

 * Low country dance tradition

 * Sabaragamuwa dance tradition

01_Kandyan dance tradition.

The main instrument used in Kandyan dance is the knot drum. This is also known as the Kandyan drum. Kohomba kankariya can be seen in the Kandyan dance tradition. There are 18 vannams in this dance tradition.

Kandyan dance uses a beautiful costume. This is called a mask set. Women cannot wear a compiete mask. It can only be worn by men.

02_ Low country dance tradition.

The drum is a traditional low country dance instrument used in the coastal variants of Sri Lanka.  It is also known as the Devol Drum and the Low Country Drum.  In the low country dance tradition, vannam is known as "sindu vannam".  There are 32 songs.

Dance sub-traditions are divided into the following three.  If so, Matara, Benthara and Raigam Korale as traditions.For Gods, Demons, and Newcomers at the Peace Center in the Low Country Dance Group.

03_ Sabaragamuwa Dance Tradition.

Sabaragamuwa Dance is an independent traditional dance tradition that originated in Balangoda, Kuruwita and Bellanbendi Palace which are considered as Sabaragamuwa areas.  Therefore, Sabaragamuwa dance has many local features.  The first thing a Sabaragamuwa dancer should do is to master 36 harabas.

   A dress similar to Saman Devi's is used for the Sabaragamuwa dance.  The main instrument is the drum.  Gammadu, Devol Madhu, Pahanmadu and Geemadu are some of the Sabaragamuwa dance rituals.