Dancing feet get permanent home

A few minutes to 9 O’clock and the sound of raban pada vibrates through the air. No, it’s not a village festival………it’s right in the heart of bustling Colombo 5. The joyous sounds of the rabana on January 6, herald the opening of a dance school, the dream of the icon of Kandyan dance in Sri Lanka, Chitrasena.

Although Chitrasena is no more, his portrait looked down as dancers and drummers performed items, while the Chitrasena family vowed to continue his art unsullied by commercialism. The Chitrasena Kalayathanaya, after leading a “nomadic existence” for 25 years, has finally got a permanent home at 590, Elvitigala Mawatha, (next to Apollo Hospital), Colombo 5.

“Thanks to former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga who graciously donated the land and also the generosity of those who love the art of traditional dance of Sri Lanka, we are finally able to offer our students a permanent venue to continue with their dance lessons and rehearsals,” explained Heshma, the grand-daughter of Chitrasena and Vajira, hardly able to contain her emotions that her grandfather was not alive to see his dream become a reality.

In keeping with the ideas of Chitrasena, Heshma promised that the Chitrasena Dance Company would not perform at weddings and other ceremonies.