Dancing as a form of Entertainment

 

Dancing is a popular entertainment item that practiced by all cultures and varies from culture to culture. Dancing is a fine art. It is an art based on entertainment as it is enjoyed by dancers as well as audience. It’s a performing art because it is presented live and has an audience to watch, and uses different strategies to attract them. In Sri Lanka we have three main traditions, namely kandyan, low country (pahatharata) and Sabaragamu.And also there are different folk dances that are built on different activities.

 When it comes to entertainment in Sri Lanka, we use dance for many occasions such as weddings, inauguration ceremonies, cultural events and other occasions. For that we use dances that come from traditional and other traditions. Many Sri Lankans use Western dances for entertainment at festivals and clubs. Because it is not complicated than the traditional dances in Sri Lanka and easy to follow.

For example,

• There are surprise dances at the wedding and sometimes traditional dances to welcome the couple.
• There are many traditional dances like Kandyan, Pahatharata, Sabaragamu and folk dances like raban, leekeli, pathuru inMahanuwara Dalnda Perahara.

• There are traditional dances at the beginning of the festivals. There are also various dances during the festival for entertainment.

Dance has evolved from the past to the present. Today there are many institutions that teach dance but in the past there was an institution called "Guru Gedara" which taught dance without paying money. But today it has been commercialized. There are also professional dancers and dance troupes. In the past, most men danced, but today women also dance. Today, dancers use a variety of costumes and accessories to add elegance to their dance.

Information on the art of dance can be gleaned from historical sources, such as literary works, rukam, and genealogies. Ancient sources show that dances from the Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa and Kurunegala eras are of Indian origin. There is evidence that various types of band instruments were used duringthe Kurunegala, Dambadeni and Yapahuwa period.

When it comes to Sri Lankan traditional dancing, The kandyan dancing tradition which has distributed in areas of kandy Sri Lanka such as Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Sathkoralaya , Harispaththuwa was begun in the age of king Sri Veera Parakrama Narendrasinghe ,the last Sinhala king is Sri Lanka. The 18 wannam of this tradition were only for singing in the beginning and after some rhythmical dancing items were added cumulatively. All the items which were written by Brahmin Ganithalankara having the support of a thero were sung at the " Kavikara maduwa" of the king at the first. The main instrument which uses in Kandyan tradition is " Gata beraya" and the main outfit is " Wes andum Kattalaya" that follows the kit of king Malaya. Payinpatha, hangala, ul udaya, ina hadaya, silambu are the some parts of this suit. Kandyan wannam have danced in Kohomba Kankariya, the main ritual of tradition.

 

Pahatharata dance is performed to please the evil spirits and is commonly known as the 'Devil Dance' which has distributed in areas such as Mirissa, Galle, Mathara and Hambanthota. Dancers wear different masks and the main outfit is " Thelme andum kattalaya".

Pahatharata dance of Sri Lanka includes eighteen various wannam called "sindu wannam" which created to describe about god Wishnu. The main instrument in this tradition is "pahatharata beraya".

 The Sabaragamu dance style of Sri Lanka is performed mainly in the region of Ratnapura, Balangoda and Kegalle with the primary purpose to worship the God of Saman. The dance style is a combination of Kandyan dance and the low country dance. This tradition is allowing both male and female dancers to participate in the dances. There are in total 32 wannam in Sabaragamu tradition.

The main outfit in this tradition is "pabalu andum kattalaya" and main instrument is "Dawul beraya".

 

There are also some folk dance forms which are characteristic of a particular region and period. Some of the famous folk dances include- Leekeli ,raban ,kalagedi ,pathuru and molgas dance. Those dances describe the day today activities of the people. For example, in the past many people were engaged in farming. Kulu ,Kalagrdi, Goyam dances can be described as the dance elements that emerged from the various movements performed on those occasions. For these folk dances they use different kind of costumes and ornaments. And use different kind of instruments to add interest to the item. Mainly they use " thalampota" and " drum". Folk dances are performed on a simple rhythm, using simple musical styles for singing and playing.

 

Social media is a major sector in which dance is used as a form of entertainment.TV channels often present dance shows like muthuhara, competitions for audiences like Hiru mega star, Derana little star and Hiru super star and also commercials that use dancing items like fanta, kottumee, sunquick advertisements.

                                                                                                                   

                                                                

                                                                                

   Dancing offers plenty of benefits for your emotions, intelligence, and relationships. Learning and practicing dance improves self-esteem and also it helps you to meet new people. Social interaction between groups of people is important to your mental well-being.