Tribute to Tagore on his birth anniversary

Famous dancer and choreographer Chandana Wickramasinghe, who had learnt Kathakali and Manipuri dances at Santiniketan, gave a short performance at an event organised by the Indian Cultural Centre on May 8 at the Buddhist Cultural Centre auditorium, Colombo to pay homage to Rabindranath Tagore commemorating his 151st birth anniversary.

The event titled Legacy of Santiniketan, included performances from renowned Sri Lankan artistes such as Weerasena Gunathilake, Thilini Rodrigo, Charith Perera and Chandana Wickramasinghe who are alumni of Santiniketan, an institute founded by Tagore.

The artistes paid tribute to founder of their alma-mater with their artistic skills in music, dance and choreography. National Languages and Social Integration Minster Vasudeva Nanayakkara was the chief guest. Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga graced the event.

The evening commenced with rendition of Bengali songs by Sangeet Visharadha Weerasena Gunatilake, joined by Sriya Kariyawasam in presenting duet Bengali songs.

It was followed by rendition of Rabindra Sangeet by Shasthrapathi Thilini Rodrigo and Shasthrapathi Charith Perera, both in solo and duet format and accompanied by their students. The songs included the famous Tagore song Ekla Chalo Re , a song that inspires to have courage and self-confidence and to walk alone believing in one's convictions even if no one is willing to walk with you.

The evening concluded with the special creation choreographed by Chandana Wickramasinghe based on Rabindra Nrithya. It the first time that Chandana created a performance by his troupe based on Rabindra Sangeet and Nrithya.