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Low Country dances (Pahatharata Natum)
Maha Sammata king & queen
Kolam
Kolam is a type of Performing Art unique to the Country . There is a popular legend for origin of Kolam dance . There were few groups/ families from several parts of country for Kolam dance and Ambalangoda , Bentara , Matara were key areas . Kolam was very popular during 1800 – 1950 since it fulfill all entertainment requirement of the people while addressing to spiritual aspect too. This wonderful art was give up by most of original inheritors with modernizing of society and also due to lack of sponsorship from responsible parties .
However fortunately most oldest family / generation in Ambalangoda, Maha- Ambalangoda , Tukka Wadu Gunadasa Generation still continues this wonderful art as it in original ways . As per the late Professor M.H Gunathilaka ( Dean of Department of Fine Art , University of Kelaniya 1978 -1992 , who carried out a research for low country dance of Sri Lanka ), Art of Kolam Dance and Mask carving is originated in Ambalangoda, by Tukka Wadu generation many years ago and there are enough evidence .
Late Professor Sarachchandra, Ediriweera also collected resources from Mr. Tukka Wadu Gunadasa for this stage drama ‘ Maname ”
“Maname ” is one of the kolam item/ drama belongs to the Tukka Wadu Generation
One and only ””’Conservation Center for Traditional Kolam Dance and Mask””’ in the country which was made under the sponsorship of Government of Sri Lanka is located in Ancestral Home of Tukka Wadu Generation , Maha- Ambalangoda , Ambalangoda
Basically Kolam dance is consist with –
* General characters who lived during monarchy
* Imaginary characters ( very special dancing styles )
* Popular legends and folktales
* Religion stories connected to Buddha’s previous life
You can get more from above ”Conservation Center…”
( Reference – 01 – ‘ Mask and Mask System of Sri Lanka By Professor M.H . Goonathilaka ,
02 “Kala Guru Tukka Wadu Gunadasa” and ‘Amdalangoda Puranaya ‘ by explorer Mr.Jinendra Wansa De Silva
03. https://www.facebook.com/HARISCHANDRA.TUKKA.WADU )
some Dances in low country are highly ritualistic. This form of dance is performed to appease evil spirits which cause sickness and is thus called ‘Devil Dance’. The dancers wear masks depicting many characters varied in forms of bird, demons, reptiles, etc. There are 18 main dances related to pahatharata style known as the Daha Ata Sanniya held to exorcise 18 types of diseases from the human body.
Devil dances
Devil Dances at the turn of the twentieth century.
Mask of the demon Maha Sohona used in the Tovil Healing Ritual in Sri Lanka
The “Devil Dances” are an attempt to respond to the common belief that certain ailments are caused by unseen hands and that they should be chased away for the patient to get cured. If an individual or a family is not doing well, the village-folk believe that it’s because that person or the family is being harassed by unseen hands. A ‘tovil’ ceremony is the answer.[1]
The ‘tovil’ can be a simple ritualistic ceremony at home restricted to family and immediate neighbours or involving the whole village like the ‘gam-maduva’ or the ‘devol-maduva’ which is closely linked to the worship of gods. Masked dancers take part in at least two of the well-known ‘tovil’ ceremonies referred to as the ‘Maha Sohon Samayama’ and the ‘Gara Yakuma’. The mention of ‘Maha Sohona’ frightens the people since he is believed to be the demon of the graveyards.
The performer disguises himself as a bear and wears a mask and a dress to resemble one. Often the ‘tovil’ involves the ‘sanni’ dances where all the dancers wear masks. The ‘daha ata sanniya’ refers to eighteen ailments with a demon being responsible for each one of them.
Dancers wearing masks depicting different characters take part in processions while at certain ceremonies. Of later origin are the masks worn by children and teenagers at street performances during Vesak. Popularly known as ‘olu bakko’ for the simple reason that oversize masks are worn, these performances keep the younger folk, in particular, entertained.
The simple version of the devil dance ritual usually starts in the morning with the building of the stage, decorations and preparation of the costumes. The performers build an intricate stage before which the
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