A journey into local artistic traditions
View(s):Samula 2024, an immersive festival focusing on traditional dance, drumming, craftsmanship and other elements of the Kandy Esala Perahera will be held from August 2-4 at Dunhinna Secondary School in Kandy. Presented by the Santani Foundation, the three-day event is set to be a journey into Sri Lanka’s artistic traditions through interactive workshops and educational sessions.
Curated by Heshma Wignaraja, Artistic Director of the Chitrasena Dance Company and School, with contributions from experts like Waidyawathie Rajapakse and Ravibandu Vidyapathi, the festival will showcase performances and teachings from renowned gurukulas of Kandy and regional artists.
Highlights include: Kohomba Kankariya – the healing ritual that birthed the Kandyan Dance, Udekki Thowil Ritual – an excerpt from this sacred ceremony, Pantheru ritual and rites, Hewisi rituals, the Kataragama tradition of Nadaswaram music – an exploration of this musical tradition from the North and Devol Maduwa Ritual Sathpattini Yagaya – a glimpse into the ancient ritual practices of the South.
The festival will also feature workshops and discussions led by master craftsmen, providing insights into the creation of traditional arts and crafts.
Craft displays will include lacquer craft (drums and other perahera-related items), elephant costuming (traditional attire for ceremonial elephants), brass and silver work, temple art – stone and wooden carvings, Ves Thattu and Awulhara -traditional dance costumes, mask making, puppets, and Gok crafts, pulp ornaments, drum makers and Dumbara weaving, Kandyan jewellery and antiques.
There will be marketplaces for retailers such as Barefoot, Kolam, and Ena Batiks.
The venue, the Dunhinna Secondary School is located at Teldeniya – Werapitiya Rd, Giddawa Waradiwela.
The Santani Foundation aims to provide scholarships, foster talent and promote conscious tourism. All profits will be donated back to dance schools and the wider communities towards the continuity of Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage.
Access to events will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are priced at Rs. 36,000 for the festival pass and Rs. 12,000 for a day pass both of which have reserved seating and access to the hospitality tent with refreshments throughout the evenings. A walk-in-pass is also available at Rs. 6000 for the evening ritual performances but does not include the workshops and seating or access to the hospitality tent.
For more information and to purchase tickets,
please visit www.samula.org
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