Sujeewa Sandamali debuts with 'Ves Palandeema'
 

by Gwen Herat

Its decades since Sri Lanka's Prima Donna Vajira who broke all traditions and conventions that were confined to the male dancer by being the first female dancer to don the coveted 'VES' which proclaims the dominance in Kandyan dancing.

Since this memorable day many a young girl has ventured into this highly skilled status and the latest in this line-up is the demure, youthful Sujeewa Sandamali who debuted in true traditions that surround the glory of Kandyan dancing.

Sujeewa's 'Hisa Ves Paladeema was performed by no other person than virtuoso of exponent, Prof Mudiyanse Dissanayake who is attached to the faculty of Fine Arts at the Kelaniya campus. Prof. Dissanayake, a doyen in the art of Kandyan dancing, was also her instructor, guide and mentor. He watched her blossom into a fine young dancer with sights set on the future.

Sujeeewa who was a student at Baragedera Dharmapala Madya Maha Vidyalaya, went on to complete her Advanced Level at Kuliyapitiya Maha Vidyalaya at which point she had decided to abandon her studies and pursue on a dancing career.

An indication to that was when she offered dancing as a subject at O' Levels, her teacher being Podi Menike who put her in the rights track.

Meanwhile, she met another young professional dancer, Gayan Indika Weerasinghe who had great influence on her and who was to be her future husband. They danced and rehearsed together until she was perfect and ready for the ceremony.

On this auspicious day as done by all debuting dancers for the 'VES' ceremony, Sujeewa chose her village temple as the location. Padiwela Sudarshanaramaya, rich in its history of murals on walls, is a revered temple in Bingiriya.

She bathed as dawn broke and with dripping hair, entered the temple to the chime of rising birds atop trees who heralded the entry of a virgin princess on the threshold of a new and exciting life.

The chief incumbent of the temple received her. Sujeewa offered white Frangipani to the Buddha, a sign of chastity. With the arrival of Prof. Dissanayake, the ceremony took off.

After the 'Ves Palandeema', Sujeewa danced with passion to the beat of rolling drums as simple village folk thronged to see their little princess 'graduating'.

She was assisted by two other dancers who joined her for more dancing.

It was two weeks after this sacred ceremony that Sujeewa's marriage to her dancer-fiannce took place. Now, together, they are ready to take their place in the world of dancing and be the torch-bearers to Sri Lanka's traditional heritage.

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