Dr Roland Silva memorial lecture on drum and dance

The Dr Roland Silva memorial lecture will be on the theme “Rhythm of dance that generate with music of the drum”. It will be delivered by Professor Lionel Bentharage (in Sinhala) on Thursday, January 30 at 6 p.m. at the Auditorium of the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka, No. 6, Independence Avenue, Colombo 7.

(For those who join online: https://youtube.com/live/RQUuIGx3an0?feature=share)

The history of drum goes with the history of man. Drum is the principal musical instrument for all three traditional dance forms, up country, low country and Sabaragamuwa that originate with four vowels Thath, Jith, Thom, Nan and their variations. It generates rhythmic movements, rhythmic patterns and rhythmic waves in all three traditional dance forms. Further, singing adds to the rhythmic movement in the dance that generate with drumming. No doubt, the drum has originated and enhanced the rhythm of dancing heritage.

Professor Lionel Bentharage has worked as a traditional dancer prior to entering the Government Dancing School, Heywood. He obtained Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from University of Kelaniya and MPhil. and a PhD from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He was a Professor in the Faculty of Dance and Drama, University of Aesthetic Studies. He has authored more than ten books and is presently the President of Intangible Cultural Heritage advisory Committee.

The National Trust’s monthly lectures are generally on the last working Thursday of each month. The lectures are open to all.