Online edition of Sunday Observer

How does one translate the magic of art into the motion of dance? More significantly how does one interpret the vicissitudes of chameleon temperaments and the trivialities of the everyday living of an artist's life through the fluidity and grace of dance? More so if the artist is Pablo Picasso, the master, equally famous for being temperamental as he was for his particular brand of modern art.

While the flatfooted among us may wonder in awe, for Chandana Wickremasinghe, a dancer cum ballet director, it is an irresistible challenge. One that will test the limits of his creative ingeniousness and perhaps set him apart as a performer for whom nothing is impossible.

'Picasso' the ballet, portraying the life of the famous artist is his latest innovative venture, where he, together with his troupe of dedicated dancers seek to blend the rhythms of the east with the graceful agility of the west for a performance that promises to be both unique and unforgettable.

No strangers to the happy blending of the east and west, Chandana and his troupe, better known as 'Chandana and the dancers' guild' today occupy the top spot in the Sri Lankan talent list, often being called upon to enliven cultural events with their particular brand of rhythm and motion.

One of the few graduates in 'Kathakali' and 'Manipuri styles of dances from the Shanthi Nikethan in India, Chandana is, in his own words, also "a proud student of local maestros Kulasiri Budhawatta, Piyasara Shilpadhipathi and Ravi Bandu Vidyadhipathi.

Chandana began his dancing career learning the Kandyan and low country dance forms when he was in his teens, and later joined the 'Sama Ballet Troupe'. He worked with them for seven years, until he got an opportunity to further his studies in India. Today, looking back at his journey from student to professional, he attributes the Shanthi Nikethan as that place that fine tuned him as a dancer and helped him become the professional that he is today.

On his return to Sri Lanka, Chandana was appointed as Consultant to the 'Ruhunu Ballet' conducted by the Southern Development Authority. But two years on, he decided to form his own troupe and stage his own performance. So with the experience gleaned from working, and studying in both Sri Lanka and India, he formed his own troupe, moulded them into his liking and the Dancers' Guild was born. And there has been no looking back.

Chandana and the Dancers' Guild have gained fame not only in Sri Lanka, but also abroad. Early this year they were invited to perform at the Hulhule Hotel Lounge at the Airport Island in Maldives. They were also invited to perform at Coco Palm and Makunudu, also in the Maldives Islands.

By fine-tuning his in-born talent and by artfully blending tradition with modernity and local dancing with Indian finesse, Chandana ha managed to create a style that is uniquely his. And 'Picasso' which is the ultimate manifestation of that uniqueness, is much a tribute to the innovative efforts of the dancer as it is to the master of a different kind of art. In a sublime sense, it also opens a new chapter for Sri Lankan Dance.

Watch Out

Those interested in knowing what Chandana and his troupe are up to, can, beginning July 26 keep tab via the internet. The group's website (the name of which is a secret until the auspicious unveiling moment) ,will be officially launched on the 26th with appropriate fanfare.

The launch ceremony will be held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, with a lecture on dancing by veteran performer Vasantha Kumara, as a main highlight, and a number of dance programmes by Chandana as interesting sidelights. These include Devadasi, Kalani, Gold and Lotus and Ducks. The website is the first such electronic domain in Sri Lankan dance history.