Witness an amazing cultural dance show that showcases the traditional dance forms, the Kandy Cultural Dance Show is one of the most popular things to do in Kandy. Featuring traditional dance styles in a spectacular performance by talented local artistes from all parts of Sri Lanka.
Created by the Kandy Lake Club in 1982 the show has been running continuously since its inception for 32 years, with the intent of fostering the traditional dance forms of Sri Lanka, the show has been a popular attraction for visitors on holiday in Kandy.
Featuring elaborate costumes, various local drumming forms and traditional masks the show will enthral and excite from start to finish.
A show of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage, The Kandy Dance Show features over 13 different performances of various artistic forms. The performance lasts for an hour, keeping the crowds mesmerised with its colourful and decorative traditional dance attire, decorated wood masks and skilful dancers where each performance is symbolic of a mysterious legend or historical story.
If you want a slice of the island’s heritage art forms the Kandy dance show brings it all together, with dance forms from all over the island. The most popular dance forms are Kandyan Dancing or Up-Country Dancing, Devil Dancing (used in the olden days for healing ailments and illnesses) and Low Country Dancing. Live music is also provided, where indigenous instruments are used to showcase a medley of traditional tunes and rhythms.
This performance is depicted through the story of the Indian epic the Ramayana, where Sita the kidnapped wife of Lord Rama had to prove her chastity by way of a ‘fire’ offering. The absolute highlight of the show is when artistes walk barefoot across a fire pit, eight feet in length, unscathed. Firewalking is also performed in many Kovil (Hindu temple) festivals as a penance or to seek blessings.
An ancient southern dance form, the origin of this type of mask dance was performed to heal the sick or those possessed by malevolent spirits in ancient times. This culture is still alive in some remote villages of the country. The dance features artistes wearing masks resembling malevolent demons or devil spirits. The masks are a sight to behold, elaborately carved and colourfully decorated to resemble demons. The dance form itself features a struggle to death between a cobra and a bird.
KANDY LAKE CLUB
No. 7 Sangamitta Mawatha,
Kandy
Tel: +94772260666
E-mail: kandylakeclub@gmail.com
Website: https://www.kandylakeclubdance.com/index.asp
Show Hours: Daily at 5:00 pm (Lasts around an hour)
Ticket prices current as of June 2024
Ticket Price: LKR 3,500 Per Person