There was magic in the air before he came on stage
View(s):| January 26 marked the 96th birth anniversary of Chitrasena – here Gwen Herat writes of the awe the Master inspired in his students |
The Chitrasena Dance Company, the most respected and celebrated dance group of Sri Lanka has the country’s dance traditions richly preserved with its choreography based on movements that date back to centuries and handed down by the Masters of this art. Sri Lanka’s fabulous legends and mythology are reincarnated by the ballads upon the throbbing sounds of drums. Kandyan dancing is the classical performing art in our country and who is a better custodian than ChitrasenaAs with Asian countries dancing has a strong religious element. A special feature in Kandyan dancing is the skill put into its costumes, especially the headwear. Dressed in their brilliance no one could stake a claim than Chitrasena to fill its volume. Though exacting in demands, both girls and boys overcome the strain and exhaustion to become the perfect symbols of the Kandyan dance.
The throbbing drums in the centre of waves of motion that ripples across a stage lit with fire and emotion. Chitrasena appears like a descending Sun God. Few dancers have mastered stillness amidst the roaring thunder when a ballet is at its peak, on the scale achieved by Chitrasena , the moment he pauses to change a stance. The flash of revelation when the audience holds its breath on both sides of the footlights, is the spectacular effect of which he is the master. Chitrasena never had greater need for his capacity to intensify repose than he did on stage and to its prelude. There was magic in the air before his entry to the stage. His boundless energy and appetite very often shared by his equally talented wife, Vajira, was the hallmark of his success.
Chitrasena never had a parallel nor a challenger and I doubt I will see one in my lifetime. As a Kandyan dancer, the latitude he was allowed was without precedence, whether off stage or on. Whether derived from a syllabus or not, he had his own steps, movements, jumps, costumes, etc. Nothing was too small or too big for his beloved art. He was the Master unto himself and the icon to us.
He impounded the destruction of our classical dancing to bring back the pure form of art that is our culture and heritage; our hungry nation was searching for over 50 years ago. The Western influence slowly gave way to our own culture and Kandyan dancing under its doyen, sparkled and sparkled to eternity. The fresh air of Kandyan dancing was the right gust at the right time and with time on, his energy became infectious. The young hopefuls like me came under his wings with stars in their eyes but everyone could not survive the rigorous and long hours of dancing all the time.
Kandyan dancing came to stay as did Chitrasena. His tours around the world awakened nations and made them aware that Sri Lanka too had her share of classical dance forms and their legends kept hidden in silent repertory until Chitrasena dug them out of history. He put them on the road of recovery and its discovery was filled with fascination, awe, fulfillment which Chitrasena gave the waiting nation something to be proud of. Though the legacy he gave all of us was a multitude in heritage and culture, what did he get back from a nation? Sad to say nothing. His theatre that was home to thousands, was snatched away and the State never cared to help him in his endeavour. Had they done it, Chitrasena would have been a happier and satisfied man.
However, his great passion for his beloved art, never made him pause. He danced with fervor, passion throbbing at his heart, churning the blood in his veins at every leap. And the drums beat higher and higher, louder and louder and faded to the last single note. He mesmerized the nation and when the audience left the theatre, the sound still reverberates within its portals as though in reverence to a God.
But as individuals who came under his wings, we as pupils failed him. When I look up to his calm, withered face, I feel guilty that I was not able to do my part. But the Master smiles back, his genial expression makes us forget our guilt because the future is steady and he is still there to guide. The living legend, Master, icon, etc… these words hardly describe him nor his personality. His dream remains at a distance. Will it be fulfilled and at eighty two, Chitrasena is still the creator who taught the nation the ethnic value of a cultural heritage. As a student of his, I did not have the courage to pick up my pen and write. I had this fear I would fall short of it. The deep admiration and respect is still there in me.
 (This article was first published in the Daily News on June 26, 2003. Chitrasena passed away in 2005). Â