Keeping the tradition alive

Doyen of Sri Lankan traditional dance Chitrasena’s fourth death anniversary falls today:

Special correspondent

Chitrasena, the doyen of Sri Lankan traditional dance and its evolution, died four years ago on July 18, 2005. His accomplishments have been well documented and its results are manifested in his productions - not only in the theatrical masterpieces he was responsible for, but also in the production of Vajira, Sri Lanka’s first prima ballerina, their daughter Upeka, who succeeded her mother in this role, countless numbers of students that include Ravibandu, Channa and now Thaji, who is succeeding her aunt Upeka as principal dancer of the Chitrasena Dance Company.

The Chitrasena Kalayathanaya, now in its 65th year, is also a monument to Chitrasena’s accomplishments and continues to provide the facilities for community members to learn the Sri Lankan dance forms and build a deep understanding of their heritage.

But the Kalayathanaya also serves, the more serious dancers, dedicated to refining their technique and who want to become disciplined performing artistes bringing fame to our country. The Chitrasena Kalayathanaya, however, still struggles to be established as a well equipped institute due to the lack of funds. The dedication and commitment of the Chitrasena family supports its survival. Having finally being granted the space to establish a permanent location by the then President Chandrika Bandaranaike in 1998, the family managed to raise sufficient funds to construct a temporary facility to serve as a dance school at Elvitigala Mawatha, where classes, rehearsals and workshops are conducted regularly. It is still very much a ‘family affair’, with Vajira as Principal of the School, Upeka as Director and guiding force, Heshma (Chitrasena’s grand-daughter) as Chief Administrator, choreographer and production manager, Umi (grand-daughter) Manager of Administration, Thaji (grand-daughter), Principal dancer in waiting and teacher and Anjalika (daughter) conducting classes and producing children’s ballets.

The most recent production by the Chitrasena Kalayathanaya was Kumbi Kathawa, a children’s ballet produced by Anjalika in 2007, that received raving reviews, is being re-staged on August 28, 29 and 30, at the Bishop’s College auditorium.

This production exemplifies the quality that Chitrasena stressed in terms of creativity, choreography, theatre arts and the evolution of the traditional dance into an eminent theatrical production.

The Kalayathanaya is yet in search of sponsors and donors for this production, but determined to go ahead as a commemoration of Chitrasena’s fourth death anniversary.

No doubt the maestro would have been proud of his family’s dedication towards keeping his tradition alive. It would be fitting if the country recognised Chitrasena’s inestimable contribution to the history of its art and culture by assisting in the establishment of a permanent institute to replace the temporary one to provide the facilities of an institute of value - both in terms of its historical perspective and the quality that it has sustained in its productions and students.