Aus-dem-Takt (out of step) a modern ballet by children

by Indeewara Thilakarathne

Sri Lankan theatre goers will be availed of a rare opportunity of watching a modern ballet dance by children under 4-8 with " Aus-dem-Takt" which will go on board on Tuesday 27 at 7.00 pm at the Elphinstone Theatre. It is a production by "NATANDA" Dance Theatre of Sri Lanka ( Junior Troupe).

"NATANDA" , is a young dance company set up by German-trained choreographer Kapila Palihawadana.

"This is for the first time in Sri Lanka that children as young as 8 years are being actively used for a performance without any direct guidance by elders. They are very talented and had a one and a half year training before come on to the stage.

The performance on Tuesday is a modern ballet dance,a dancing tradition developed in Russia.I must say that they are indeed very talented compared to their German counterparts.For I have worked with dancing companies in Germany and teach dancing for young students there but I have not come across such a talented lot", said choreographer Kapila who trained the kids for the performance.

The junior troupe that take part in the performance " Aus-dem-Takt " consists of Sadali, Vishmi, Jayani, Shelani, Erandi, Mithila, Jinendra and Nivamsa.

The Junior Troupe of NATANDA are trained in basics of dancing and according to Kapila, at the initial stage of training, young cast were allowed to discover their natural body rhythms and later those rhythms were organised into a ballet.

Kapila is thankful for the parents of the cast who not only encourage their children to participate in the performance but also help financially. He is also grateful to Dr. Asoka de Zoysa and Goethe Institute and its Director Richard Lang for the cooperation extended to him.