Ancient dance in the public eye
Ishara Jayawardane
Drama is in his blood. At the launching of his book, Opera, Ballet
and Geetha Natya and Mudra Natya it was as if the audience had been
granted entry to the maestro’s mind and what an experience that was!
The musical performances were received with great appreciation and
enthusiasm by all who beheld it. The first performance was dazzling with
the beautiful female dancers in their bright orange attire, full of life
and bursting with energy.
The second dance, called Song Dance gave everyone a sense of peace
and balance. The lighting was just right, giving the graceful ingénues
the appearance of angels. Their attire was illuminated by the pale blue
light as they almost glided over the floor.
One other performance that received acclamation was that of a drunken
womanizer who is destroyed by the Mara. This could also be interpreted
as an aspect of self destruction.
Aesthetic University Drama Faculty Dean Ariyaratne Kaluarachchi said;
“This book deals with the origins of dramas in Sri Lanka as well as in
the West. The West has Ballet and Sri Lanka has Mudra Natya. Western
Ballet has different forms of origin and evolution.” |
