Sinhala traditional acrobatics
Script and pictures Wehelle Piyathilake Maharagama
special corr.
Acrobatics ability is a must in the Kandyan, Ruhunu and Sabaragamuwa
dancing systems. All the boys who enter into the dancing field must be
trained as good able
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Some Sinhala traditional acrobat modes |
and clever acrobats. There are so many styles in dancing acrobatics,
namely Marakkana, Hiti pinum, Bada pinum, Yati pinum and Riyasara pinum
(flying bouts).
This is a traditional practice in Sinhala dancing system. The Sinhala
dancers who are not well versed in acrobatics (Pinum) not recognised by
people. This must be trained vehemently from the very first lesson of
the Sinhala dancing.
The National Youth Services Council conducts two dancing diploma
courses at Belwood Aesthetic Centres, Galaha and Maharagama.
The Kandyan Dancing chief instructor of the National Youth Centre,
Maharagama H. M. Ratnayake is very competent dancing educationist. He
descends from a reputed Udarata dancing family. He is a very talented
person in Udarata, Pahatharata and Sabaragamuwa dancing Systems. He
trains his each and every pupil in acrobatic dancing.
"It is a very strenuous job. Unfortunately most of the pupils who
joins the class without any training. We have to start with the very
beginning but after the course, we send out genius dancing acrobats," H.
M. Ratnayake told Daily News.
This is a two-year full time diploma course conducted totally free of
charge by the NYSC for the sake of securing the Sinhala dancing Systems. |
