The annual Perahera (procession) of the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devale at Ratnapura last week is considered second only to the Kandy pageant in grandeur and the observances of age-old customs and rituals.
A huge, two-faced figure of Maha Bamba with a serene face on one side and a fierce one on the other is a remarkable feature. It is believed that this figure depicts the character of King Rajasinghe, who was considered to be fierce like a demon in anger and pleasant like a deity to the virtuous.
Various types of dancers’ representatives of major dance forms, Kandyan, Sabaragamuwa and Low Country, add colour and grandeur. One of the most remarkable features is performing various dancers by children in the procession.
Armed with my camera, I captured a few dance performers who added grandeur and mesmerised the spectators.
