Kandyan Dance

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The Kandyan Dance is traditionally performed to drum beating only.The most common drum is the Geta Beraya, which is only used in Kandyan Dance. To assist the dancer to keep rhythm a small pair of cymbals knows as the Thalampota is also used.




Geta Beraya




This hill country drum is called the Geta Beraya (a drum with a knot) according to its shape.
This is the main drum used to accompany dance sequences in all Kandyan rituals. The two
faces of the drum are described as ‘left’ and ‘right’. The right side is covered with the hide of a
monkey or monitor lizard and the left side is covered with cattle hide, which is used to provide
a finer sound. Since the drum is usually played at open air venues, the sound carries quite a
distance. This drum is turned out of wood from Ehela, Jak, Kohomba and Milla trees. Various

parts of the drum have separate names and is played by tying around the waist.



 






Thalampota


Small though they are, the thalampata play a crucial role in Sri Lankan dance. These small cymbals, joined together with a string, beat out complex rhythms in traditional Kandyan dance. The thalampata typically makes two sounds – ‘thith’ and ‘thei’, which chime to the shake of a dancer’s body.


The Vannam’s however have lyrics that are sung in tune with the movements of the dancer. These lyrics sing about the virtues of the animal that the Vannama is depicting. This form of dance has developed from the period of Kandyan kings and today is regarded as the national dance of Sri Lanka. 

The costumes of Kandyan dancers are striking.









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