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Kandyan dancing and drumming

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Kandy’s distinctive style of drumming, one of the loudest and exuberant in the world. The origin of Sri Lankan drumming dances goes back to immemorial times of aboriginal tribes and "yakkas" (devils). According to a Sinhalese legend, Kandyan dances originate 2500 years ago from a magic ritual that broke the spell on a bewitched king.
The tradition started in temples enacted in honour of the god Kohomba, believed to still inspire the ves dance; drummers still accompany the twice-daily pujas at the Temple of the Tooth and many temples in the Kandyan area have a specially designed pavilion (digge).
Afterwards drumming tradition spread from temples into the cultural mainstream, especially as accompaniment to dance. Nowadays the easiest way to see a drumming and dance performance is to join one of the performances organised daily by cultural associations.

Kandyan dancing and drumming

Kandyan dancing and drumming.

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During the dance show you will see drummer ensemble (hewisi) using all three types of drum: the geta bear (literally “boss drum”) a long double-headed drum played with both hands with different skins for the two drum heads to produce contrasting tones; the double-headed davula played with a stick from one side and the and the palm hand of the other; the tammettan consisting of two small drums tied together and played with two sticks. Occasionally a short oboe (horanava) made of buffalo horn is also employed to add a simple melody to the exuberant rhythm of the drummers. The drummers are dressed in a large sarong, a huge red cincture and a white turban. Significant musical points are marked by a toss of the head, sending the topknot of the turban flying through the air in a delicate accompanying flourish.

Kandyan dancing and drumming

Pantheru dance, the dancers perform with a tambourine acrobatics and a series of rhythmic patterns.

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The main types of kandyan dance are performed by male dancers flamboyantly attired clad in metallic chest plates, waistbands and various other neck, arm and leg ornaments, the show includes also examples of popular dances performed by female dancers. Following the tradition the performance opens with the sound of the conch and drums followed by the Puja dance where female dancers with votive oil lamps ask the blessings of the devil maduwa and of the protector goddess Pattini.
Thelme Dance a vibrant expression of the classical and rhythmical dance from the low country.
In the pantheru dance, the dancers have a tambourine with cymbals (pantheru) an instrument dedicated to the goddess Pattini and perform acrobatics and a series of rhythmic patterns.
The Peacock dance, of kandyan vannam tradition, depicts the movements of the peacock bird.

Kandyan dancing and drumming

Saiupliya Dance with demons who are believed to be capable of causing particular ailments.

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The Saiupliya Dance depicts demons who are believed to be capable of causing particular ailments, this is a popular dance in southern Sri Lanka.
In the Raban Dance the dancer balances a number of flat drum (Raban) on sticks a traditional dance of Sabaragamuwa province.
The Kulu Dance is a traditional folk dance usually performed by village damsels.
The Ves Dance, Kandy’s most famous dance, performers in the traditional attire wear a kind of extravagant metal head dress. The dancers combines stylized hand and head gestures with acrobatic manoeuvres including spectacular backflips and whirling pirouettes, the dance were performed to invoke the blessing of Kankaariya.
The performance closes with Fire walking which represents the domain over the spirit of the fire that symbolizes the devils, the absolute faith of the dancers protect them from the heat as they walk barefoot on hot coals.

Kandyan dancing and drumming

The Ves Dance, performers in the traditional attire combines stylized gestures with acrobatics.

This and more photographs can be found at:

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Kandyan dancing and drumming

Kandyan dancing and drumming

Kandyan dancing and drumming

Kandyan dancing and drumming

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