The Arpeggio Academy of Creative Dance will revive their production of ‘The Lovers of Thambapanni’ for the third time this July. Founder and chief creative director Nilan Maligaspe tells us that this year the production will bring several newcomers to the stage; “although everyone has to work that much harder to fall in line with [...]

The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Telling a lovers’ tale through dance

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The Arpeggio Academy of Creative Dance will revive their production of ‘The Lovers of Thambapanni’ for the third time this July. Founder and chief creative director Nilan Maligaspe tells us that this year the production will bring several newcomers to the stage; “although everyone has to work that much harder to fall in line with each other, I believe in giving the newer students an opportunity to be involved in our shows as well,” he explains.

‘The Lovers of Thambapanni’ first surfaced in India when the Arpeggio Dance Academy performed the original show in Ladakh. It has since returned to Sri Lanka and been staged several times to great reception-perhaps a response to the original choreography and music the production encompasses. Nilan is responsible for choreography and direction with music composed by Sanjeewa Paranamanna.

For over a decade Arpeggio has produced original and consistently innovative shows that have garnered the company many accolades and international recognition. This year was no exception, with ‘The Lovers of Thambapanni’ winning several awards at the State Ballet Festival including Best Actor (Pradeep Gunaratne), Best Actress (Chathuri Perera), Best Music Director (Sanjeewa Paranamanna) with Best Direction and Best Stage Designing for Nilan Maligaspe.

The production will highlight several forms of dance, says the director, including most notably the ‘Chhau’ form of dance from India. Nilan was first introduced to the tribal form of movement in India and was immediately fascinated by its versatility. Three subgenres-Seraikella Chhau, Mayurbhanj Chhau and Purulia Chhau- has evolved from the main form and Nilan will use a few of these styles for his production. “We have a lot of classically trained dancers in the show,” he added. “My challenge has always been in teaching them how to take on contemporary dance without losing those traditional roots.”

The trick, he says, is in the dancer’s determination and the body’s flexibility. “I tell any student who joins this academy that it’s not going to be easy. They have to learn on their own time as well and not just in the class. That’s how my dancers overtake others in this field.”

One particular student is Pradeep Gunarathne who has become a solo dancer to general acclaim over the last couple of years. Pradeep will help Nilan with the show’s choreography and direction. ‘The Lovers of Thambapanni’ will be staged on 4 July from 6.30 pm at the Lionel Wendt. Tickets available at the venue.

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