Sri Jayana - acclaimed exponent of Kandyan dancing

E.Weerapperuma

Kalasuri Waidyalankakara Rathnadipathigedera Jayana Rajapakse, celebrated his 85th birthday on December 16. He was felicitated at a ceremony held yesterday at the Tower Hall, Maradana.

The ceremony was organised by the Sri Jayana Internal Cultural Foundation and the Sri Jayana Internal Cultural Institute at a Salamulla, Kolonnawa.

The best tribute one could give Sri Jayana is to help him realise his dream of completing the work he began in setting up the International Cultural Foundation and the Sri Jayana International Cultural Institute.
 

Though more needs to be done, in its present state, steps have been taken to conduct dancing classes for newcomers under the able guidance of Ratna Rajapakse Amarasekera, the eldest daughter of Sri Jayana.

Speaking to the ‘Daily News’ Sri Jayana said that his efforts combined with the financial support of the friends and well wishes helped him to put up the building and that he needed continued assistance from those who have appreciated his efforts in making Sri Lanka known to the world through his dancing troupe.

He is grateful to those who kept their word of assistance and lives in the hope that he would be able to see its completion with active support of those really care.

The Centre will cater to the needs of both local and foreign dancing students and living rooms for the foreign students is part of the building design. The Centre while promoting Sinhala dance, also provides room for classes for kids and special attention is focused providing an opportunity for the students to learn English, a must for a modern day dancer.

Though feeble, his watchful eye goes round the classes conducted by his eldest daughter Ratna who took to dancing at the feet of the maestro-father Sri Jayana who made a name for himself in the world and introduced Sri Lanka to many countries through his dance.

Sri Jayana hails from Amunugama Udagampaha Korale, Pathadumbara, Kandy district. Born on December 16, 1922, the dance maestro comes from a generation of traditional dancers, astrologists and royal physicians. He represents the 17th generation of that tradition and has inherited his talent from his fore-fathers.

He claims that he had a hand in creating the Cultural Ministry and said that he was responsible for the introduction of dancing to the schools. One of most recognised dancers Sri Lanka could be proud of, Jayana of international fame is a promoter of Kandyan tradition of dancing. He paved the way for women to enter the dancing flow, a taboo in his time.

He was also responsible in creating “Madyama Lanka Nuthya Mandalaya” in 1939 (Central Lanka Dancing Board) and pioneered “Gandharwa Sabha” in 1944 to bring all the artistes under one banner.

The “ Mahanuwara Kalayathanaya”, at Amunugama founded by him in 1949 was declared open by Lord Soulbery. The “Kalayathanaya” members staged “Dumindaagamanaya” a ballet, which received applause and appreciation from the distinguished invitees present.

Jayana, a pioneer member of the “Indian National Theatre” which had the support of the late Indian Prime Minister Nehru along with Sachin Shankar, Ravi Shankar, Udaya Shankar and Rajendra Shankar during his stay in India to further study dancing.

History was made when he brought the revolutionised form of dancing on stage with “ The Discovery of India” ballet using a mixture of upcountry dancing with Bharatha Dancing. Sri Javahal Lal Nehru who wrote the script honoured him by calling Jayana “Shri Jayana”, in recognition of his master-piece.

Drawing his attention to the upcountry dancing he took steps to register 157 Upcountry Dancing Centres with the Cultural Ministry and certificates were issued to the best dancers selected from 19 districts.

He was assigned to be the man in charge of dancing in the Sri Lanka Army and also the `Govi Hamudawa’ created by the 1965 Dudley Senanayake Government.

Touring Europe with his dancing troupe as the unofficial cultural ambassador, he put ‘Sri Lanka’ into the world map.

Contesting with 3,700 dancers from 69 countries in France at the festivals of folklore in 1989 he won the most popular dance group medal. The international press gave a good coverage to his achievement.

Recognising his outstanding artistic calibre and service to the art, culture and the country President Ranasinghe Premadasa in 1992, honoured him with the “Kalasuri” title. “It was an unforgettable day in my life. The award was a recognition of my work by my fellow men,” he said.