Sri Lanka’s first family of dancers
DANCE: After decades of anguish and heartburns, the Chitrasena-Vajira Dance Company has at last found its permanent home from where Vajira’s dreams will take shape without stress and trauma. It is her dedication to her guru, Chitrasena who left behind a legacy in her hands. Surrounded by her third generation (the fourth also has arrived) Vajira is set to embark on her sphere to make Kandyan dance, the vibrant heritage of Sri Lanka. Thanks to her guts, determination and her brood, there will be no obstruction to the progress of the Chitrasena-Vajira Dance Company. Vajira, prima ballerina of Kandyan dance is one of the greatest dancers in the world in her art. She is a national heroine whose tremendous power and vitality and a delightfully warm, striking personality, was a cut above the rest during her prime. She was most vivid in all the ballets she created, danced and choreographed, thus easing off a workload from Chitrasena, especially when his health was failing. The spirit of dance and passion within her heart and soul, was always aflame and beside Chitrasena, she would sparkle and radiate her dynamic talent. Daughters, Upeka and Anjalika found their mother’s abundant energy a source of inspiration to follow suit. Upeka the more positive one, has already stolen the hearts of dance lovers. Like mother, she is a dancer and choreographer. Then, came along the grand-daughters, Heshma, Thaji, Umi as well as daughter-in-law, Janaki. Great grand-daughter Mihira who has just arrived, I am sure, will also be dancing with her mom, Heshma. So, there you are; a whole keg full of boundless vitality to energise Kandyan dance as well as low-country dance. Between them lies the Sri Lankan cultural heritage that the nation can be proud of. On their visits abroad they mesmerised the audiences. Across Europe, the USA, Australia and the East all dancers were aware of their super potential and their special brand of music that was confined to dancing; all the different rhythms of different drums, drummed by equally qualified artisters, brought down the boards each time they danced. The world had never seen anything like this before and responses were great and rewarding. Together they influenced and shaped Sri Lankan history in the realm of Kandyan dance. They conveyed the mood and content to the awe-struck fans here and abroad. Finally they all love their dancing, the apetite that never tire them out and each member of this family, have the knack and gift to communicate with each other in order for fulfilment. They were always exquisitely costumed and celebrated the beauty and splendour of their art. They have come a long way towards perfection and acceptance by art lovers and critics; from generation to generation, the mantle handed down to the keepers of this traditional art.
The influence of Royal courts have saturated and gripped Kandyan dancing, the purity of which the First Family are the guardians of their essences. They never pollute or break-up the traditional knit fastened into its classicism or stray away from its bonds. This is what makes the First Family special. They all labour and dance towards its sustenance. It is hard work no doubt, years and years of dedicated work, exhausting yet exhilarating. Wonderfully refreshing when they take their bow, they all know it is labour well done. The controlled passion of hauteur and the interpretation of many ballets that are found in the repertory of the Chitrasena-Vajira Dance Company is a testimony to their ardour and the brilliance they a achieved from their guru, Chitrasena. Many of Sri Lanka’s fabulous legends and mythology are reincarnated by the classics of Kandyan dancing. The dancers depict many areas such as epic heroes, gods, divine sages, yakshas, devils, vannams, as well as children’s classics of our country and the timeless tales of good and evil. In Kandyan dancing, there is an element of legendary aspects inaccessible to many of us but this Dance Ensemble brings to lie all the glories of temple traditions and their spiritual essences. The special features in Kandyan dance are the elaborate costumes coupled with bejewelled towering head-dresses worn by men, make our dancers slightly strange to Western audiences. This form of dance is exacting with great physical demands on girls and boys and the ones who dare end up as great dancers. When Chitrasena was alive and younger in age, there was a popular touring company when they mounted their ballets around the world. Kandyan dancing is synonymous with our culture dating back to many centuries. Today, its reputation is worldwide and while the Master is no more, the First Family keeps the torch burning bright. With the establishment of the Chitrasena-Vajira Dance company we can expect the future to push it to the levels of Shanthi Neketan or Kalashestra of India. |
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