The open university | kandyan dance courses
Explore Sri Lankan traditional dance form Kandyan, it's rich history and practices as well as terminologies associated with the dance. Throughout this course collection, you will gain an understanding of the making of a Kandyan dancer, its essential practices, extensions such
19| Chandra Vannama – Ode to the moon
Ode to the moon, inspired to be written on a full moon night in 1960s by legendary Sri Lankan musicians, admiring the moon and it's beauty. Kandyan dancer Danuka Ariyawansa performing Chandra Vannama Lyrics of the Kaviya (in Sinhala and English) සඵ ඇඳ
18 |Asadrusha Vannama | Praising lord Buddha
This vannama is an eulogy to the Triple Gem, Buddha, Dhamma & Sangha: “I pay homage to the lotus feet of the Lord Buddha, honoured by kings, Brahmas, Vishnu and other Gods. I adore the Dhamma proclaimed by the Great
17 | Udara Vannama | RECITING Royalty
Reciting the Royalty (Udara) by expressing the majesty of the King. The Vannama describes, "Adorned with the sixty four ornaments, the king strolls through streets of the city riding on an elephant accompanied by his retinue of foot soldiers amidst
16 |Ganapathi Vannama | God Ganesha
This vannama is the recital in praise of the God Ganesha. This enjoins men to win the favours of the God as it Recites, “Graceful in form – with the head of an elephant – tusks half emerged – face
15 |Surapathi Vannama| Goddess Surapthi
This vannama is a recital in praise of the Goddess Surapthi - otherwise known as Umayangana/ Uma or Parvathi. The vannama eulogizes the love story between Umayangana and Iswara as God Iswara is worried about not finding Uma and in
14 |Eeradi Vannama | The Arrow
This is the recital of the Arrow. This vannama dramatises the exploits of a warrior called Bandula. To the din of the clash of swords, shields, spears and clubs, the army marches on and Bandula’s shafts fly with deadly effect.
13 |Kirala Vannama | The Lapwing
This is the recital of the Lapwing. This is an imitation of the call of a bird known as Kerala (lapwing), in its search for food. The bird with black and red band round his neck, hops from tree to
12 |Naiyadi Vannama| The Cobra
This is the recital of the Cobra. This vannama Features the previous birth story of the Buddha - known as the Jatakas story. The story is about the Bodhisathwa (the Buddha) being born in the Naga world, how a snake charmer
11 |Sinharaja Vannama| The Lion
This is the recital of the Lion King. This vannama is based on a popular Sri Lankan folk tale. The tale is about a lion falling into a deep well and perish due to a cunning device by a tortoise.