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Rangika Vidanage is Natmo, first dance recital presented by his students will be held on March 12 at the Tower Hall.

by Aditha Dissanayake

Dressed in the attire of the up-country dancer, the headdress, gem studded turban, ear ornaments, forehead garland, vest cover, etc., which are symbolic expressions of various attributes of the sun, watching Rangika Vidanage perform the traditional up-country dances, one would agree with the ancient sages that the dances, songs and music, dating back to the pre Vijaya times are surely gifts of the gods.

Yet, as with most men and women of genius, the world (or rather the teachers) took time to recognise the talents of Rangika Vidanage. "I was not selected for the concert my school was staging when I was in Grade 3", recalls Rangika, "But three days before the event was scheduled to take place one of the kids left our school to join another.

The teachers had no choice but to give me his place. Two days later, when another kid caught chicken-pox, my twin brother was given a role too. So, both of us who were initially left out, got the opportunity to take part in the concert and this turned out to be our first public performance".

Aspirations

Today, at the age of twenty-three, the twin brother, Rangana, is studying business management in Australia and Rangika while studying for his degree in dancing, is the head of his own dance institute and is at the moment giving the final touches to the first dance recital to be presented by his students on March 12, at the Tower Hall, Maradana.

Age certainly is no barrier when it comes to dancing, be it the traditional up-country or low country dances, jazz or ballet. "Anyone can become a dancer" says Rangika. "All you have to do is have rhythm in your body". And who but he should know because he has mastered almost all the dance forms within these two decades.

Traditional, (up-country, low-country, Sabaragamuwa), the four Indian styles (Kathak, Kathakali, Bharatha and Manipuri) Western, Latin American, Ballroom, Jazz, tap, modern and even Russian Folk dances, you name it, he can do it. "It's good to learn everything instead of limiting yourself only to a certain form of dancing", says Rangika.

He believes new techniques should be introduced to the traditional dance forms and that folk dances should be given the prominence they deserve in the international dance arena.

A strict disciplinarian who believes success comes only to those who are ready to work hard, Rangika says he begins his day at around 5.30 in the morning, and devotes at least two hours for "creative work". After spending most of the day at the university, he conducts classes during the evenings these days, which goes on till about eleven in the night because of the up coming show. But all this is no problem, "because dancing is in the blood". It comes as no surprise therefore when he says that his partner when he finds her, too should be a dancer.

Rangika admits he has chosen an unusual career because men who are full time dancers, are almost a phenomena. Could this be because of the popular belief that artistes are always poor and that art is not a lucrative business? "That's a myth" says Rangika. "Good art can be turned into a business. In the same way an engineer earns a living, a professional dancer too can earn a comfortable income - if you satisfy the audience".

Keeping this in mind, his show called "Natmo", the name given by the sage, Arisen Ahubudu, does denote that the dances are entirely for the satisfaction of the audience, will thrill all those present at the show. "There will be something for everyone. Traditional dances, folk dances, modern dances and even dances from Punjab".

Thank you

Grateful to those who have helped him, from his teachers; Piyasara Shilpadipathi, Channa Wijewardene and Niloufer Peiris, to Abey Amaradasa, Janaka Gunawardene, Sumith Perera, the Twin Cultural Centre, his family and friends, Rangika hopes everyone will make it to the Tower Hall at 6 pm on March 12, to be entertained by the first performance staged by the students of his dance school, Rivega.

If you go, take your Personality with you, because the chances are, whatever your tastes, you will be satisfied.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.