When Lankan dancers wowed Ladakh
View(s):
Dr. Kiran Bedi with Nilan
They stepped in tandem with the geta bera drumming and thalampata; evoking the majesty of a divine pachyderm, or the regal splendour of a fabled eastern king – all rapturously received by the audience – one ancient civilization bowing to another…
Waves of applause greeted the Nilan Creative Dance and Drama Academy at Ladakh when the visiting Sri Lankan dance troupe presented dances ranging from our traditional Gajaga Vannama, miming the elephant, to items that combine exotic elements like the Tibetan mantra ‘om mani padme hum’ – repeated on prayer flags and wheels, in that remote picturesque land bordering the ‘roof of the world’.
Over seven days, the Academy troupe, there to perform at the ninth International Yoga Festival from June 21 to 27, never failed to capture the Ladakhi audiences.
The challenge really lay in creating dances for those altitudes where with the air being thin, energetic movements like the pure Kandyan would not be possible, and in fact could lead to serious sickness.
The dances Nilan thus created were fusions of the native and the international, yet retaining something of the inner sap of the Lankan soul going way beyond the Buddhist and Hindu roots, evoking the beliefs of the land from the earliest times – the sensual riddi bisawu dance which is an old exorcism ritual to heal sterility and the pandam paliya which aims to exorcize the Maha Sona (the ‘great cemetery’ devil) with fire.
Incorporated into all dances were yoga aasanas. The performances happened in six venues and the audiences included 600 university students, teachers, soldiers, tourists and other guests.
Amongst the many special guests was Dr. Kiran Bedi, India’s legendary first woman police officer, who responded to the performances enthusing: “so steady, so spiritual, so calming – and so entertaining! Thank you so much!”
Said actor Vikrant Mahajan of the act “they danced superlatively; they performed brilliantly and the energy was extraordinary.”
Added Ms. Zuleikha Bandey who was amidst many entertained Ladakhians “absolutely wonderful… and you are a beautiful choreographer… and we are happy to see all your students along with you, and you are always welcome… you must come again”.
Nilan’s work in India, building cultural bonds with the two countries has right along been made possible by the India-Sri Lanka Foundation which has hosted his many tours starting from 2010. The troupe was provided accommodation by the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre headed by the Ven. Sanghasena Thero.
High point: Performing at different venues both indoor and outdoor
Searching for an ideal partner? Find your soul mate on Hitad.lk, Sri Lanka's favourite marriage proposals page. With Hitad.lk matrimonial advertisements you have access to thousands of ads from potential suitors who are looking for someone just like you.