Curtain call of a memorial dance and exhibition

The Chitrasena Dance Foundation's tribute to the legendary dancer Chitrasena who died last year is now in its last day. The exhibition honouring his life and work at the Harold Peiris Gallery open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m ends this evening with the curtain also falling on the dance performance "The Art of Chitrasena Memorial Performance' being held at the Lionel Wendt Theatre tonight at 7 p.m. Showcasing a collection of the best work of Chitrasena, this memorial event will incorporate all the dance, culture and aesthetics which have become hallmarks of the great Chitrasena.

In his long and tempestuous career, Chitrasena changed the tempo of traditional dance as no other Sri Lankan dancer has done. The Chitrasena- Vajira Dance Company headed by Chitrasena and his wife Vajira took the international stage by storm in the '50s, 60's and 70’s as they toured world capitals to great acclaim and produced a succession of new ballets.

The flame that burned so bright is today kept alive by their daughter Upekha and grand-daughter Heshma who are determined to see his dream of a dance centre fulfilled. Funds raised from the performance tonight at The Wendt will all go towards this goal.

The Chitrasena-Vajira Dance Foundation continues in Chitrasena's finest traditions of teaching authentic traditional Sri Lankan dance forms and related disciplines such as traditional drumming, stagecraft and choreography, costume design, stage décor, stage lighting, and oriental music composition. In addition, the centre will also stage contemporary works based on the traditional techniques and traditional dance rituals in their ritualistic setting. It will also organise workshops; provide archiving and library facilities, a museum and gallery, audio and recording training facilities, and residential facilities for local and foreign artists; and organise overseas exchange programmes.

This centre will reconceptualise the school founded in 1944 by Chitrasena, that has flourished over the past 60 years as a nucleus of cultural activity where under the guidance of Chitrasena and Vajira, several generations of young men and women acquired proficiency in the traditional dance arts.