Magul Bera

The blowing of the Conch Shell is the traditional invocation at the commencement of any function and the drums (Bera) are an Integral part of the ritual.  It is an ancient Sinhala custom to present ritual music when seeking the blessings of the Guardian Deities of the land.

Pancha Thurya Vandanaya

The drums have been called the king of the instrument in the orient and twenty six varieties of drums are used in Sri Lanka. This is an improvised orchestration of several of these drums. Drum playing calls for great skill, particularly on account of the rebound of the membrane. It is in the utilization of this rebound that the essence of the drummer's art consists. In olden days times the five kind of musical instruments consisted of

• The one faced drum-Atata-Vitata,

• The two face drum-Vitata,

• Skin drum with strings the Atata-Vitata,

• The metal percussion-cymbal etcand

• Wind instruments-like horanewasusira.

Hansa Dance

The graceful movements of the swans danced to the rhythm of the drum.

Tea Netuma

Up country tea pluckers (girls) pluck tea. When kankanie is around the girls rest without their duty. Suddenly kankanie will come. Tea pluckers again start to pluck tea and demand to get their salary.

Thelme

The stage adaptation of low country ritual called the devol maduwa (The devol ritual) held to appease the devol deiyo (Devol god) vigorous dance interludes such as this, keep the throng entertained through the night.

Kandurata Ves Netuma

Ves (literally appearance in guise) owes origin to the kohoba kankariya, a traditional ritual of the kandyan province. The dance from itself was regarded as scared and it was performed to appease the deities. Here the dancers display their acrobatic skill to the rhythm of the measured beat called "Thalam" and drums.

Gini Sisila (Fire Dance)

A South Ceylon fire dance showing the power of charms over fire and the twenty seven devils that can trouble mankind. The absolute faith of the fire dancers protects them from the flames.  This dance also includes fire-eating.

Raban Dance

The dancer with the Rabana (a circular hand drum) demonstrates his dexterity by spinning a number of these colourful hand drums to the rhythm of the accompanying drums.

Mask Dance

A stage adaptation of a ritualistic dance from of the southern part of Sri Lanka. The original ritual was intended to bridge the gap between the world of man and that of the gods and demons. To do this, it was necessary for man to be on good terms with the unknown, as this could help him obtain plentiful crops and keep him in good health.

Gajaga Vannama

One of the more popular of the vannam's in the kandyan dance technique, which presents in rhythm dance steps the majestic tread of the elephant.

Salupaliya

This is a dance depicting one or several demons that are believed to be capable of causing particular ailments. In traditional (devil) dancing it is possible to identify the demon that has to be propitiated in order that the sick person may be cured. This is a popular rural dance in southern Sri Lanka. For exorcist purposes, the dancer wears a mask physically representing a particular devil or demon.

Kulu Netuma

Kulu netuma is a traditional folk dance usually performed by village damsels to celebrate rich gravest. The dance portrays sequence from reaping to winnowing of the grain. his buoyant dance movement which is open to a variety of rhythmical arrangements providing ample opportunities for displaying feminine grace. This dance is very popular with mode choreographers and has much in common with similar harvest dance in other parts of Asia.

Hevisi Vandanaya

Hevisi or the traditional war drums of Sri Lanka were used in the ancient times to summon soldiers in times of national emergency or war but are now used only in religious ceremonies.

Puja Netuma

invocation to the divine mother of the dance seeking her protection and blessings on the dancer and his audience.