In Sri Lanka the traditional agricultural life style made people come together to help each other in work, and gathering of people to work along created a good atmosphere for dances and music. Most of the Sri Lankan people are artistic people who enjoy music and dance either by participating in them or supporting the people who does that. The dancing and music has passed generations, from grand fathers to fathers and fathers to sons, and from sons to their children.
Developed from the period of Kandyan kings. The dance imitates movements of animals as there are dancing of elephant and peacock, The costumes of Kandyan dancers are colorful with white, red, yellow and black mixed. The male dancers with their bare chests decorated with exquisitely silver regalia and spectacular headgear; silver bangles are also worn on the arms and ankles. The performance is accompanied with hectic rhythms of drums called "gata beraya".
There are 18 main dances in Kandyan Style which display the dancing of Birds and Animals. But I only know few and they are,
Mayura Wannama - The dance of the Peacock
Hanuma Wannama - The dance of the Monkey
Gajaga Wannama - The dance of the Kings Tusker
Kirala Wannama - The dance of the crying Kirala Bird
Ukusa Wannaa - The dance of the Eagle
Sinharaja Wannama - The dance of the Tortoise and Lion
Turanga Wannama - The dance of the Horse
Uraga Wannama - The dance of the Snake
Musaladi Wannama - The dance of the Rabbit
Sawula Wannama-
Eeradi Wamnam- The dance of the soldier
The folk music is created with few instruments only. The folk songs and poems were used in social gatherings to work together. The Indian influenced Classical Music has grown to be unique. The traditional drama, music and songs are typically Sri Lankan.
Looks like dancing is a big thing in Sri Lanka! Thanks for sharing! (Make some paragraph divisions, so it is easier to read. And you forgot to include the explanation for "Sawula Wannama")
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