The Indian High Commission in Colombo held a dance ensemble, ‘Sringar – Tapestry of Classical Indian Dance Forms’ on Wednesday to commemorate the 75th Republic Day of India falling on January 26.
Transport and Highways Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka, Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Members of Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps, Indian diaspora and other dignitaries participated.
Sringar showcased all eight Indian classical dance forms. Four of these performances were led by a visiting Indian troupe nominated by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), including Odissi led by Namrata Mehta and her team Siddhi Waikar, Namaha Mazoomdar, Anuradha Sanghvi, Dhruvi Jaiin, Kathakali by Renjish Nair, Manipuri by Purbita Mukherjee and Sattriya by Satabdi Borah.
The other four were performed by Sri Lankan dance exponents, including Bharatanatyam by Dhanuka Dhakshith Samaraweera, Mohiniyattam by Nishali Silva, Kathak by Veronica Dassanayaka, and Kuchipudi by Thakshayini Kamalanathan. The dance recital was further adorned by young students of Hindu Ladies’ College, Colombo. This joint India-Sri Lanka performance embodied the richness of the cultural affinities between the two countries.
The Indian dance troupe will travel around the country and stage performances in Kandy, Galle, Batticaloa and Jaffna.
