A 12-member team from the Department of Fine Arts of the University of Kelaniya will be performing the folk dances of Sri Lanka today at the 8th International Folk Dance Festival, to be held at the Kamani Auditorium in New Delhi. The team will also perform Sri Lankan dances in Varanasi and Prayagraj on 28 and 30 November 2024, respectively.
Recently, a 9-member troupe of dancers from SIBA Campus, Kandy, was sponsored by the Government of Odisha to perform Kandyan Dance at the inaugural event of Bali Yatra 2024 in Cuttack, Odisha.
In 2023 and 2024, numerous teams of performing arts students and Indic knowledge practitioners were sent to India by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the High Commission of India, Colombo. These teams included students from the Sri Palee Campus of the University of Colombo, the Swamy Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies of the Eastern University, the State Music Ensemble of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, and Hindu Ladies College. Students from the University of Kelaniya, University of Sabaragamuwa, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and Rajarata University in Anuradhapura were also sent for the Visva Hindi Yatra and Buddha Bhumi Vandan Yatra in 2023. Additionally, 14 Sri Lankan scholars from seven public universities were sponsored to participate in the “Knowledge-India Convention” organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, held in New Delhi from 4 to 6 December 2023.
Sending Sri Lankan troupes of performing arts students to India plays a pivotal role in strengthening the cultural ties between the two nations. These performances serve as a living testament to the shared heritage and deep-rooted historical connections that bind India and Sri Lanka. By showcasing the vibrant and diverse traditions of Sri Lankan and Indian performing arts, these troupes foster mutual appreciation and understanding of each other’s cultural richness. Such exchanges also open avenues for dialogue, collaboration, and friendship, highlighting the universal language of art and its power to transcend borders. These efforts not only enhance bilateral relations but also reinforce a shared commitment to preserving and celebrating cultural diversity in the region.
