Ves Dance - Kandyan (up country) dance of royalty and procession where the
dancers combine intricate rhythmic patterns that crescendo into
a vigorous and lively climax.
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Fallen drummer whacked - this drummer is passed out on stage and his
wife 'whacks' him with a stick to wake him up and drags him off stage!
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Manasone Dance - Dance of the voraciously evil graveyard bear-likeness spirit.
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Manasone Dance - Dance of the voraciously evil graveyard bear-likeness spirit.
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Jasa Kolama - a masked folk play featuring typical characters
of the kolam or masked folk theatre. This satirical performance is a commentary on social
hierarchy. Jasaya, an elder, who is also the washer man of the village, is first seen
entering the stage. His young and attractive wife Lenchina appears next. They are
followed soon after by Arachchi, a young nobleman and the chieftain of the region
Mudali with his attendant Hencha.
Each character wears a colorful wooden mask and enters the stage with a dance that
highlights particular character traits and illustrates his or her social rank.
The chanting enhances the dancers' performance.
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Jasa Kolama - a masked folk play featuring typical characters
of the kolam or masked folk theatre. This satirical performance is a commentary on social
hierarchy. Jasaya, an elder, who is also the washer man of the village, is first seen
entering the stage. His young and attractive wife Lenchina appears next. They are
followed soon after by Arachchi, a young nobleman and the chieftain of the region
Mudali with his attendant Hencha.
Each character wears a colorful wooden mask and enters the stage with a dance that
highlights particular character traits and illustrates his or her social rank.
The chanting enhances the dancers' performance.
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Naga Kanya - Virgin maiden demigoddess of the serpent
dance: an alluring display performed by young females of the South.
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Naga Kanya - Virgin maiden demigoddess of the serpent
dance: an alluring display performed by young females of the South.
A zoom-out of the stage and the audience
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Salu Paliya - This is a comic dance featuring
the spirit Salu Paliya wearing a white shawl. He is seen engaging
in conversation with the narrator or the drummer, thus
enhancing the comic element of this dance.
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Salu Paliya - This is a comic dance featuring the
spirit Salu Paliya wearing a white shawl. Salu brings the blessings
of the goddess Pattini to the patient. The appearance of this
spirit in the healing ritual known as the Tovil has a specific
significance - although demonic in appearance, Salu acts as a
clown and uplifts the spirits of the patient and takes away his fear.
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Drum Orchestra - A unique item, performed by the
up-coming generation on numerous kinds of drums and percussion
instruments, accompanied and guided by older and experienced
artists. This is not a mere act, but an actual demonstration
of tradition and knowledge handed down and sustaining the community.
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Puja Dance - A traditional offering dance that invokes
the blessings of the guardian deities. It also welcomes
the attending audience.
A cell phone image of Sri Lanka Mask Dance
on April 5th, 2009 at the Amphitheater of the Fowler Museum at UCLA
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