‘The Kandyan Dancer’ comes to ICES
View(s):
A scene from the Kandyan Dancer
By Susitha R. Fernando
A compelling dance documentary titled ‘Kandyan Dancer’, which explores the rarely examined expressions of masculinity within Sri Lanka’s traditional Kandyan dance, will be screened at 4.30 p.m. on March 12 at the auditorium of the International Centre for Ethnic Studies in Colombo.
Dulanga Gunarathna
The documentary had its international premiere at the Asian Dance Conference 2025 organised by the National Asian Cultural Centre in the Republic of Korea, where it represented Sri Lanka at the prestigious cultural gathering.
Produced by a dedicated creative and academic team, the project was led by Dulanga Gunarathna who served as screen choreographer, researcher and director. Isuru Sampath contributed as co-researcher while video production was handled by Cinepiens Studio.
The documentary’s visual direction was undertaken by Chathura Vimarsha Fernando with cinematography by Dinuka Lakshan. The narration is delivered by Steven Machado, while Sasanka Perera served as assistant director. Post-production work was carried out by Thanushka Sanjaya Kahandawala at Arc Cinema.
Music for the film was composed by Dulipa Mendis at Manasa, adding a distinctive sonic dimension to the exploration of Kandyan dance traditions and their deeper cultural meanings.
Drawing from both research and embodied practice, the film reveals how movement, rhythm and discipline shape expressions of masculine identity within this classical dance tradition. Beyond the aesthetics of performance, the documentary also highlights the urgent need to safeguard Kandyan dance as
a vital form of
Chathura Vimarsha Fernando
Sri Lanka’s intangible cultural heritage. By exploring its historical roots, symbolic movements and social meanings, the film underscores the importance of recognising the tradition not only as a living art form but also as a cultural legacy worthy of global recognition.
The Kandyan Dancer thus emerges as both an artistic offering and a thoughtful call to protect one of Sri Lanka’s most treasured traditions—affirming its enduring relevance and its potential to be celebrated in the future as part of the world’s shared cultural heritage.
Entrance is on prior
registrations via
https://forms.gle/FQiomr43YN3xEfy5A.
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