Shastri Dance Festival

Sarath Malalasekera

The Madyama Lanka Nruthya Mandalaya of Amunugama Gunnepana, Kandy one of the first among the dancing institutes registered under the patronage of the Government, founded by world famous Kandyan Dancer cum Drummer late Kalabhushana Suramba will hold the "Shastri Dance Festival" in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the dancing institute.

The Dance Festival will be held on July 5 at the Hindu Cultural Centre of Kandy, with the assistance of the past students, parents, friends and the present students.

The Dancing Institute was declared open on December 30, 1944 by then Governor of Ceylon Lord Soulbury.

Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbakaduwa and Central Province Chief Minister Ekanayaka will grace the occasion.

The main objective of this dance festival is to give a opportunity to the students of the Institute to display their talents in the field of dance and performing arts, the organisers said.

It is significant to note that the dancers for the festival range from year one students to Post Graduate students and all the students are taking part in performances, the organisers added. The pure classical dances such as "Salugath Kathawa" and "Kohomba Hella" derivate from the Kohomba Yak Kandariya Ritual also will be performed in the festival among many other performances.

Dance is a universal body language and in this evening of dancing, Kandyan dance, Sri Lankan folk dance, Indian dance forms such as Kathak and Bharatha Natyam and Free Style dances also will be performed to address today's need of cultural harmony among traditions, in the globalizing world.

The dance festival is open free of charge to the public.