My Artistic Passion is All about Promulgating Sri Lanka’s Rich Cultural Heritage
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A conversation with ASEKA WIJEWARDENA, Globally Acclaimed Traditional Dancer
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IN AN INFORMAL CONVERSATION WITH INDIAN SOUNDS & STEPS, ASEKA WIJEWARDENA, SPEAKS ABOUT A WIDE RANGE OF FACETS THAT HAVE INLUENCED AND INSPIRED HER IN HER PHENOMENAL JOURNEY AS A GLOBAL PERFORMING ARTISTE. READ ON…
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]EDITOR’S NOTE: Arguably the most globally recognizable young face of Sri Lankan performing arts, Aseka Wijewardena is an accomplished principal dancer and instructor at the eminent Channa Upuli Dance Academy. She has travelled and performed prolifically across the world as part of the academy’s troupe. She has been a regular representative of the Sri Lankan government’s diplomatic, social, tourism, cultural and commercial ventures. She also holds an international diploma in creative arts.
Aseka was born into a distinguished family whose members have been trendsetters in Sri Lanka’s performing arts. She is the daughter of the legendary dancers, Kalashuri Channa Wijewardena and Upuli Panbharatha (founders of the Channa Upuli Dance Academy) and the granddaughter of the late Kalashuri Dr. Panibharath, a pioneer of Sinhala classical dance.
Aseka is passionate about training children on life values through Sri Lankan traditional and contemporary dance. She is actively involved in social fund raisers and charity initiatives for various organizations working for differently abled children, orphanages and elderly homes. She is also a brand ambassador for a number of corporate entities, including Glow & Lovely and Unilever Ayush.
Aseka’s impressive list of achievements includes the World Peace Ambassador title awarded by the Governing Council of World Peace and Diplomacy Organization (2017); performing in the Prince of Wales and 50 Heads of States at the Commonwealth heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013; representing Sri Lanka when it won the 1st place amongst 98 countries at the Carnival of Cultures in Berlin, Germany (2012); performing at the ICC Cricket World Cup opening ceremony (2011); achieving 1st place at the International Lions Convention in Denver, USA (2003); and Rising Star of the Year award at the Business World International Conference and Award Ceremony, USA. She has also performed at prominent venues and occasions, such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit; UNESCO Theatre, Paris; Kennedy Center, Washington DC; World Bank, Washington DC; Miller Outdoor Theatre, Houston; and Sai Baba Ashram, Bengaluru; and India International Films Awards (IIFA), among others.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1624010429324{padding-top: 3% !important;padding-bottom: 1% !important;}”][vc_column_text]
READ ON, AS ASEKA GETS CANDID ….
On the Essence of Kandyan Dance
The Kandyan dance form is known as Sri Lanka’s premium style of dance. Its tradition has a prestigious history of over 2600 years. It is very much combined with our culture and religion. It is more of a thandava (masculine) dance form because it was mainly performed by male dancers, but over time it transformed to include females with a lasya (feminine) feel. The Kandyan dance form has a gravity based style. It’s very solid with rigid movements. We believe that a Kandyan dancer is another version of the Sun God. It is performed with a spiritual feel and expressions portraying pride.
The original Kandyan dance costume, also known as the “VES” costume, is believed to be a costume of a king from the Malaya country. It’s made of pure silver and gems. The costume consists of around 108 knots that pressures all the pressure points when knotted. It is a custom made costume that is specially made with each dancer’s birth stone that is projected in front of their Ajna Chakra (third eye). Our country has utmost respect for all our traditional dance styles and I’m certain the Kandyan dance style is right on top. I’m extremely honored to call myself a dancer based on the Kandyan dance tradition and nothing more than that can make me a proud Sri Lankan.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation=”no” css=”.vc_custom_1474291084926{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
WATCH ASEKA’S ‘THANDHAAY’ DANCE COVER
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[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation=”no”][vc_column][vc_column_text]On the Growing Popularity of Fusion Dance
Yes, I think that fusion dance has risen in the recent times. It has grown into a major influence not only for business opportunities but also in the community. I believe that all of us should evolve with the world and go with the flow. Right now fusion dance has caught the attention of many since change is something that is really important nowadays. Just a few seconds is all it takes to make your audience decide whether to continue watching or to look away and ignore. So it is our duty to make changes while performing, and I think fusion dance has been able to excite people and also surprise with different movements, styles, colors, patterns, etc.
Fusion is something that is a blend of many styles that creates its own. It’s novel, it’s something different and that is exactly what people want to see. Doing fusion does not mean that our tradition is forgotten because traditional dance styles can be a part of fusion dance as well. I believe that these are the reasons for fusion to rise up, it’s all about capturing the heart and attention of your viewers and giving what they need so that they will want it more.
“Doing fusion does not mean that our tradition is forgotten because traditional dance styles can be a part of fusion dance as well.”
On the Commercialization of Traditional Dance Forms
All art forms are commercialized now. Our traditional technique has been a tourist attraction; and one of the main means to promote our country. Travel fairs, global cultural events, airline promotions, hotel promotions and many more never happened without a cultural segment and as of today the entertainment industry has grown vastly. Entertainment has now become a must in all events including private events. I think being commercialized is not a bad thing if you’re doing it right. There can be a 50/50 chance for corruption to slide in but I think in Sri Lanka our tradition is firmly secured.
Our traditional drums and dances are a must at many auspicious events, even weddings. Chasing away all the bad spirits before starting something new is one of our oldest traditions and beliefs, so drummers and dancers are needed to perform such rituals. It’s beautiful to see how our rituals have been brought up to the theater now with some slight changes, it makes people see more and learn more about our heritage. As long as the art is not treated as a business and is not used as a career to just earn and popularity I think commercializing is a good thing.
On the Indian Dance Forms that Influence Her
I have a few of my favorite dance forms. I’m more touched and feel warm and close to most Indian dance styles, which I can relate to. The concept behind the Indian dance style is also similar to those in Sri Lanka. Story telling with a rich history is what they are based on, just like Sri Lankan dance forms. We worship all Indian gods at home and the Indian culture is something I grew up with. My aunt is a Manipuri dancer from the Shantiniketan and my grandfather had a close bond with India as well.
Most Indian dance styles portray the beautiful feminine side of a woman through movement and that has really captured my heart. I’m a dancer and choreographer who tries to incorporate the feminine beauty into movements of female dancers as much as possible and Indian dance styles such as Odissi, Kathak and Manipuri have really helped me. Being expressive plays a major role when you’re a performer and no one else does it better than an Indian dancer. I’m truly inspired by all of them. The hard training period and sacrifices a Kathakali dancer makes before becoming a performer truly amazes me and is -also a driving force for all dancers. So if I have to choose, I will always go with the Indian dance styles.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1624012669427{padding-top: 3% !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_gallery interval=”5″ images=”11825,11826,11827,11828,11829,11830″ img_size=”360×450″ onclick=”” css_animation=”fadeIn”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
“I try to incorporate the feminine beauty into movements of female dancers as much as possible and Indian dance styles such as Odissi, Kathak and Manipuri have really helped me.”
On the Mantra for Having a Dream Body
We at the Channa Upuli Performing Arts Foundation strive to be perfect in every way possible. Our guru Dr. Channa is a true leader who not only inspires us but also motivates each one of us to do better and to challenge ourselves. We workout 4-5 hours daily. This includes strenuous exercises, stretching, movement practice, routine activities, breathing, meditating, team work and many more segments. We do not follow a particular diet as such, we are allowed to maintain a healthy diet and fulfill all cravings but burning all of it the next day is a must!!![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Our traditional dance costumes are designed in a way that reveals the dancer’s waist; so maintaining a perfect figure is needed. A dancer’s body is a dream body to many, but I also hope they know how much of hard work is required to have one. We try to deliver perfection so nothing should be an excuse. Having a beautiful body is a skill. I think the Mantra is to work hard, maintain a healthy diet and drink lots and lots of water and be happy.
On Her Family’s Artistic Legacy
This legacy was created by my grandfather and my parents flipped it into a whole new venture. It’s a bit scary when I think of it because I know how hard it is for them to continue this. Maintaining the same position in the industry for decades is a very hard thing to do and I have never seen my parents fail. I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful family. The love we have for arts cannot be described in words. I will take on this legacy forward, I pray and hope I have the courage to do so. My parents always want me to create more things invent and explore, I believe that is exactly what I want to do.
I am humbled and inspired with the encouraging gestures and words that have come my way. Right on top would be words that ‘I’m a treasure to my country and I make my country and family proud. My parent have always advised me to ‘do what your heart tells you, try to be unique, you are an original and there’s only one YOU! This is your time.’
On Her Biggest Ambitions
My passion is performing; I love to perform. The more you understand the subject the more you fall in love with it. Dance is my comfort zone. My dream is to share the knowledge I have with the younger generation and make them understand the depth of our culture. I feel the younger generation should be educated more about the culture and heritage they have inherited being Sri Lankans. I want to take the legacy forward; I want my self to be a role model to young performers out there. My biggest ambition is to take our beautiful culture to the world and show them what a wonderful country I come from.
On Her Engagements as Corporate Brand Ambassador
I have had the privilege of working with some of the most popular brands of Sri Lanka. Recently I signed up with the beauty brand Glow & Lovely, a leading international brand. Glow & Lovely also started a career foundation which helps girls from Sri Lanka, mainly from the rural areas, to learn online and find job opportunities. I’m extremely honored to be a part of this foundation since I’m a teacher myself and sharing knowledge and creating a stable career to young women is something I really enjoy. I’m truly thankful to all the brands for getting me on board and for creating the celebrity in me. I love working with all the brands as this allows me go to the society with a different version of myself.
“I’m extremely honored to be a part of Glow & Lovely’s career foundation which helps Sri Lankan girls to learn online and find job opportunities.”
On How Aspiring Artistes can Drive their Passion
Art is something which is purely spiritual. There’s nothing more amazing than becoming an artist. Love your passion and let it take you where you belong. Practice the art of sharing and caring, you will do wonders with that simple theory. I know it’s a thought time now and our aims and goals have paused for a moment because of the pandemic, that’s ok better days will come, let’s hope and pray for a better tomorrow and let’s make it a better a place for you and for me and the entire human race.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1624011263768{padding-top: 3% !important;padding-bottom: 3% !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row enable_arrows_animation=”no” css=”.vc_custom_1474355814165{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
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