| It’s the love affair between a princess and a bandit.
Nuwan Ranjith Priyanga’s oriental ballet - Ingilasa (Affection), based on the legendary Kundalakeshi story will be performed on April 2, at the John De Silva Hall from 7 p.m.
The ballet performance (Mudra Nattiya) was first presented at the Ballet Festival organised by the Cultural Ministry in 1997.
“The original story of Kundalakeshi depicts how a princess falls in love with a convict who is facing the death sentence for a crime he has committed. She manages to convince the king (her father) to grant her lover a pardon.
The story depicts how the convict betrays her love by trying to rob her of her wealth on their wedding night, Nuwan explains adding that Ingilasa is a slight variation of the story.
Nuwan, who has over 25 years of experience in dance is currently the arts teacher at Carey College, Colombo. He has taken lead roles in many of the oriental ballets done by veteran artistes such as Chitrasena and Vajira, Channa Wijewardene, Ravibandu Vidyapathi and Mudiyanse Dissanayake. He was also attached to the Sama Ballet troupe- the only full-time professional ballet troupe in the country from 1985-1992.
Ingilasa’s young cast is made up of students of Carey College, professional artistes from school as well as outside. The main character of the princess is played by Ranela Jayasuriya while Dilhan Ramyasiri will play the role of the bandit.
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| Nuwan Ranjith Priyanga |
“Given the present trend, it is difficult to popularize ballets among the public, especially among the youth.
And it is rarely that schools get involved in staging such oriental ballets. However, with the great support of the staff and the principal of Carey College I was able to take the initiative in staging this ballet,” he says.
The first half of the show consists of a drums, song and dance performance, followed by the Ingilasa ballet.
Tickets priced at Rs. 100, 200, 300 and 500 could be obtained from Carey College or from the entrance.
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