Ranganika highlights local talent

ADTF to sparkle at Edinburgh Fringe Festival:

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

The news had been circulating for months along with their rigorous training sessions but finally the day has drawn near. The Arakavila Dance and Theatre

 Foundation (ADTF), lead by renowned choreographer Janaki Hill, will take to the stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival at the St. George Wendt theatre, Scotland, from August 6 to 30.

ADTF has named their dance items as Ranganika, they will be presenting some of the traditional dance items enfolded in the island’s rich artistic history. Since preserving the local art form plays a key role in the foundation’s existence, the troupe, comprising 18 children, will enthrall the audience in Edinburgh.

ADTF started off on a small scale when Janaki noted the talents of the children of Arankavila and decided to embark on a mission to bring their talents to the limelight. Together with her husband, Peter Hill, Janaki put together many projects to enhance and showcase the talents of her students.

The group focuses on aspects like dance, stage drama, music, short films, English and Tamil language training and workshops to cultivate leadership. They have staged a number of dance shows titled Chalana for the past year.

However Ranganika, the series they will be presenting in Scotland is something different and an entirely new project, she stressed.

The event will not be a milestone for ADTF but it will also be of significance to the local art scene as various forms of local dance items will be staged at the world’s largest open arts festival.

Many countries around the world will showcase their creations at the event and Sri Lanka too has a chance of making an impact.

A low country dance item which will enthrall the audience at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Speaking to Daily News ‘Artscope’, Janaki said that the 18 member dance troupe who are set to dazzle Edinburgh are chosen out of Diriya Daruwo, a series of leadership projects conducted at a number of schools in rural villages. She said that she discovered the true essence of talent from these children and decided to brush up their skills and give them a chance to blossom in the international arts scene.

“Ranganika is all about preserving and propagating Sri Lankan art forms like up country and low country dance traditions, cultural aspects and percussion instrumental recitals. It comprises six items made out of traditional folk dance, Devil dance, Torch dance, a Vannama from the up country dance tradition, a low country dance called Vadigapatuna and some creations based on the Kolam technique,” Janaki noted adding that their items will also capture the eye due to the colourful costumes which go with the dance acts.

Interestingly ‘Mind and Body’ plays an important role in Ranganika. It brings to light the need of possessing a harmonious relationship between the body and mind for a successful performance.

For more details about ADTF please visit the website: www.adtfsrilanka.com

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