Indian influence on local ves dances

by Subashini PATHMANATHAN

Similarities and dissimilarities between the Ves dance of Sri Lanka and the Indian Classical dances.

India and Sri Lanka are closely linked historically, geographically, culturally and religiously. The Tamil language is used in the north and east of Sri Lanka . And the formation of Sinhala letters resembles the Letters of Telugu and Kanada languages of India. 'Silapathikaram,' the Tamil classic describes Santhi koothu which consists of four main Koothu forms namely Chokam, Mei Koothu, Abinaya, and Nadakam. Chokam is the pure Nirtha dance.

Kandyan dancers

The Mei Koothu consists of three main categories. Desi, Vaduku, and Singhalam. Desi was a dance form belonging to Tamil country.Vaduku was a dance form belonging to Telugu Desam, and the word Singhalam, was apparently a reference to a dance form belonging to Singhala country. Unfortunately apart from the word Singhala, there is nothing about the dance form in Silapathikaram. The great Tamil poet Maha Kavi Subramaniya Bharathi spoke of constructing a bridge to Singhala Deepa (Sri Lanka) from India.

Kandyan dance is a very popular dance form among the Singhalese population of Sri Lanka . The traditional Kandyan dance is a pure Nirtha dance firmly based on Thala, laya and Thandava karna stances, and based on rhythm. In Sri Lanka the traditional classical dance form is regarded as Kandyan dance which is the predominant dance and also this is the pre dominant dance form among the Singhalese population. This dance is still practised in Buddhist temple festivals, (Called peraheras) street processions, for public entertainment to welcome leaders, visitors, and foreign dignitaries.

Most of the Indian and Sri Lankan classical dance forms are based on Natya Sastra, but these dances developed and were influenced by religious, cultural, and social traditions of each region. Kandyan dance appears to have grown and developed out of Natya Sastra, as there are discernible similarities between the classical dance forms of India and Sri Lankan dance forms.

Kandyan dance form was protected and fostered by the Kandyan gentry who managed and maintained the dance troupes. There are five important categories in Kandyan dance, Ves Netuma (dance), Naiyandi, Udekki, Pantheru and Vannam.

The Ves dance started as a ritual dance form, it is traced back to Kohomba Kankaria which was a ritual dance form among the Sinhalese population. Earlier, sixty-four ornaments were worn for the Ves dance, but now less than thirty-four ornaments are worn.

Ves dance has close links with Indian Classical dances. The Ves dance form is based on Thandava aspect of Kathakali, Bharatha Natyam and Manipuri.

Today Ves dance is considered and based on religious and social Values. The Ves dancer's costumes and make-up are closely linked to the Indian classical dance form Kathakali. Both these dance forms have a strong affinity with Thandava stands, jumps, twists, and beautiful masculine and vigorous stands and vast gaps between the legs.

Both these dance forms adopt circular movements, and the knees are spread out from one another. Both these dance forms adopt the techniques from martial arts. But Ves is totally based on pure Nirtha, but Kathakali is based on Nirtha and Nirthiya. Ves dance is performed at religious processions, ceremonial and other social occasions. Kathakali is performed in temples as well as on the stages.

Males are the dominating artists of these two art forms. Both the dance forms have some close links, yet they have their own individuality and Identity. Kathakali is based on dance drama; to expound the meaning of the Story. The Kathakali dancers use hand gestures, with different facial expression. Vocal music is the source and sole of Kathakali, and Baratha Natyam, but drum beating is the source and sole of Kandyan Ves dance. The most common drum is Geta Beraya, which is only used in Kandyan dance. The word 'adavu'; is used, in Kandyan dance, which is a pure Nirtha aspect of dance. The word is also used in Bharatha Natyam.

Kathakli dancer

In the Kandyan dance generally the sitting position and stretching the hands at the shoulder level is almost common to Kathakali and Bharatha Natyam.

Ves dance is also based on Natya Sastra. Bharatha Natyam which uses twenty-eight to thirty single hand muthras are called Asamutha hastas and twenty-three double hand muthras or joint hand muthras are called Samutha hastas. Similarly even in Kathakali twenty-eight hand muthras (hastas) are used including joint and single hand movements. In Kandyan Ves dance they do have hastas, nearly about twelve hastas.

In the Ves dance the ears are covered with an ornament Called Todu Patti. These ear ornaments are almost like the Kathakali ear-ornaments.

In Kandyan dance the Ves dancers wear chest ornament. It is called Avul Hera. Even in Kathakali the chest is covered by colourful strings of beads.

In Kathakali the ornaments are tied over the dress. But in Kandyan the ornaments are tied on the bare body. Shoulder Kavasams are worn both in Ves as well as in Kathakali.

Araimandi position could be seen in Bharatha Natyam, Kuchupidi, Kathakali and odissi. Like the Ves dancers, in Kathakali and Manipuri the drummers play in standing position. In the Ves dance, Bharatha Natyam, Kuchupidi, Kathakali and odissi dancers follow the eye and the neck movements along with the hand movements.