To the maestro: Devanjali: Ritual, Rites and Reflection
On July 18, 2005, the nation bid adieu to Chitrasena. Yet the legacy of this dance legend – the Chitrasena Dance Company led by his third generation of family members determined to stay true to his discipline and ideals has lived on over the years.
Dancing in the steps of the great Chitrasena: Three generations of one family: (from left) Thaji, Anjalika, Vajira, Upeka, Heshma and Umi
This year, the Chitrasena Dance Company took to the international stage our ancient ritualistic performances that pay homage to the pantheon of Gods when they premiered their production ‘Devanjali: Ritual, Rites, Reflection’ at the prestigious Sydney Festival and at the Canberra Theatre Centre.
Back home as a tribute to their guru, the Chitrasena Vajira Dance Foundation will present the Chitrasena Dance Company’s production of ‘Devanjali: Ritual, Rites and Reflection’ featuring diverse beliefs, rituals and worship within Sri Lanka’s dancing tradition, on July 18 and 19 at 7 p.m at Colombo’s Lionel Wendt Theatre.
To recap an awe-inspiring career, Amaratunga Arachchige Maurice Dias, better known as Chitrasena was a pioneer in the Sri Lankan dance theatre. His contribution to traditional dance in Sri Lanka was enormous, since he first made his debut at the age of 15, in 1936, playing the role of Siri Sangabo in a ballet produced by his father, the late Seebert Dias, who was also a pioneer actor, director and producer of the ’20s and ’30s.
In 1940, following his Ves Bandeema ceremony of graduation, Chitrasena took wing to Travancore to study Kathkali at Sri Chithraodaya Natyakalayam under Sri Gopinath, the court dancer in Travancore. There, Chitrasena was chosen to do a command performance before the Maharaja and Maharani of Travancore at the Kawdiar Palace.
A glimpse of what’s to come: The troupe performs an item from their upcoming concert. Pix by Indika Handuwala
In 1943, Chitrasena founded the Chitrasena Dance Company, while in 1944 he established the Chitrasena Kalayathanaya in Colpetty – Sri Lanka’s first school of dance. While pursuing his studies at Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s Shanthiniketan in Bengal in 1945, Chitrasena got the opportunity to dance the lead role in Tagore’s dance drama ‘Chandalika’ in front of Tagore’s grand-daughter. He also represented the Shanthiniketan in the All India Dance Festival in New Delhi.
Overcoming the numerous challenges – chief among them being to bring traditional dance to the stage, Chitrasena took the bold step to explore the unfamiliar terrain, amid resistance and rejection till he finally succeeded in rescuing and reviving a dying form of art- our ancient rites and rituals.
Heshma Wignaraja, Chitrasena’s grand-daughter is today the Artistic Director of the Chitrasena Dance Company. Addressing last week’s news briefing to announce the staging of ‘Devanjali; Ritual, Rites, Reflection’ in Colombo, she said, the occasion of her grandfather’s death anniversary commemoration is an emotional moment. Despite his physical absence, they always feel his presence, she added.
An audio visual clip on the life and times of Chitrasena was also shown. Tickets priced at Rs. 3500, Rs. 2500, Rs. 2000, Rs. 1500, Rs. 1000, Rs. 750 and R. 500 (balcony) can be purchased from Chitrasena Kalayathanaya at No 590, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 5, Lionel Wendt Theatre and on ticketslk.com. More information on the performance can be obtained via 0113150570/ 0112368902.