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Kapila elaborates on contemporary dance forms:
Bodily beauty through dance
Ruwini Jayawardana
He believes that dance should show the beauty of the human body
rather than emphasizing on elaborate costumes. Embodying an undying
passion for dancing Kapila Palihawardana's nATANDA Dance productions
bear a unique essence which can only be defined as his own.
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Imitating the crow’s movements |
He explores the dimensions of the human body and does not believe in
mixing the tradition with the modern trends. Rather for him contemporary
means moving away from fantasy and evoking reality.
"I had a flair for dancing from childhood but it was not till much
later that I actually took on the subject.
It took me seven years to convince my family of my dream. I did not
heed social perceptions that a dancer cannot survive in the profession.
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SIGNSPEAK |
I wished to follow my heart's desire," Kapila told Daily News 'Artscope'.
Moving to his own pace Kapila got his initial training under Oosha
Saravanamuttu.
He studied German and Russian for his degree at Kelaniya University.
Later he established nATANDA Dance theatre.
The dance ensemble is now one of the most sought after in the country
and is well known for their enthralling dance performances.
For Kapila it is a matter of developing a theme and selling the
creation at the right time. He says that respecting his art is important
to him.
"Nobody will respect my creations if I do not instill my respect for
dancing through my dancers," he said.
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BETODIAF |
Staging successful productions like BETODIAF, Frangipani, RAVENS and
SIGNSPEAK, Kapila notes how he had taken elements from the society and
nature to build the concept of his creation. While BETODIAF deals with
imprisonment, control and self-determination, Frangipani was inspired by
the Araliya flower.
RAVENS re-examines the society's perception of the crow. SIGNSPEAK is
based on sign language, the seed of developing gestures, poses and
movement.
There is a tale behind the origin of each production. Kapila revealed
that the roots of SIGNSPEAK emerged when he was stuck in traffic and was
observing the hand gestures of a policeman who had been controlling the
vehicles.
Similarly RAVENS was inspired while basking in the veranda by a mango
tree in Batticaloa.
He had been intrigued by a crow's behaviour and had done research and
observed the creature for months.
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RAVENS |
Dubbing dancing as a healing ritual he noted that most Sri Lankans
are trying hard to identify with the art.
"On the other hand cricket was inherited from the colonial era.
People have accepted it in a national level. They can look at dance in
the same angle," he added.
Speaking on why Sri Lankan dance forms have not made a large impact
in the global dancing arena Kapila said, "We possess one of the richest
cultures in the world but we do not project it much.
Many countries who cannot match our cultural standards have made full
use of opportunities to showcase and popularize their dance forms."
His next production, in collaboration with Manjunan Gnanaratnam, is
titled "Ceylon". It will be staged in September.
It focuses on the lives of tea pluckers. He is searching for new
talent and invites young physically flexible youth to join his team. |
