Organized by the Colombo Branch of the Past Pupils’ Association of Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy in honour of Vajira and her colossal contribution to Sri Lankan dance, “Ridmaranga – Vajira in Perspective” a tribute, will be presented by the Chitrasena Dance company on Saturday 9th at the Kularatne Hall, Ananda College at 7. 30 p.m.

 

This is in order of the celebration of the life of Sri Lanka’s first Prima Ballerina, Vajira who paved the way for the female form of a dance which was predominantly for men; she developed the Lasya form for women.  Today’s indigenous dance is built upon the cornerstone laid by Gurus Vajira and Chitrasena and as Vajira celebrated her 80th birthday last year, the dance fest “Ridmaranga” has been thoughtfully pieced together.   

 

The Chitrasena Dance Company remains a one of kind through its deep commitment to imparting the practices of our traditional dance roots. Conceived and directed by Heshma, the Artistic Director of the Chitrasena Dance Company, the show will comprise of a number of Vajira’s prolific creations performed by a younger generation, with the students of the company all being their 20’s.

 

 

 

 

Look forward to solos, group items, drum compositions in a range of genres like Traditional Kandyan, Low country and Sabaragamuwa. Scenes from select ballets spanning the period 1963 to 2004, like Naladamayanthi and Berahanda are also waiting in the wings to give the audience a resplendent recreation of hits from a bygone era with a new set of dancers. Thaji, Mithilani and Ruwani are lead dancers and Susantha, Prasanna, Udaya and Priyanga are main drummers.  

 

So be present at the venue as young dancers take to the stage to pay tribute to a prolific maestro who has laid a foundation for them all. Upeka enthuses, “It will be a joy to see them performing what I have been performing for so many years.” Proceed will be directed towards raising funds to assist present students of Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy. The Sunday Times, Daily Mirror, Lankadeepa and Ada are the exclusive print media sponsors for the event.

 

 

 

 

By Nivedha Jeyaseelan