Remembering Chitrasena

This year, the Chitrasena Dance Company took to the international stage our ancient ritualistic performances that pay homage to the pantheon of Gods when they premiered their production ‘Devanjali: Ritual, Rites­, Reflection’ at the prestigious Sydney Festival and at the Canberra Theatre Centre. Back home as a tribute to their guru, the Chitrasena Vajira Dance Foundation will present the Chitrasena Dance Company’s production of ‘Devanjali: Ritual, Rites and Reflection’ featuring diverse beliefs, rituals and worship within Sri Lanka’s dancing tradition, on July 18 and 19 at 7 p.m at Colombo’s Lionel Wendt Theatre. To recap an awe-inspiring career, Amaratunga Arachchige Maurice Dias, better known as Chitrasena was a pioneer in the Sri Lankan dance theatre. His contribution to traditional dance in Sri Lanka was enormous, since he first made his debut at the age of 15, in 1936, playing the role of Siri Sangabo in a ballet produced by his father, the late Seebert Dias, who was also a pioneer actor, director and producer of the ’20s and ’30s.   Tickets priced at Rs. 3500, Rs. 2500, Rs. 2000, Rs. 1500, Rs. 1000, Rs. 750 and R. 500 (balcony) can be purchased from Chitrasena Kalayathanaya at No 590, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 5, Lionel Wendt Theatre and on ticketslk.com.  More information on the performance can be obtained via 0113150570/ 011236890