PROFESSIONALIZING CULTURAL DANCERS FOR FUTURE TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES AND INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Understanding the requirement of the presence of more glamourous activities to experience the real north culture and community, Northern Tourism in collaboration with EFECS Project lead a professionalisation programme for cultural dancers in Delft and Kilinochchi in Northern Province.
Cultural Dancing Performances have identified as a one of the techniques that developed tourism destinations uses to keep the tourists for many more days. Understanding this fact, the pilot project conducted a well-planned audition to identify the skill levels of the dancers. This programme was facilitated by Lakshman Manchanayaka Dancing Academy.
Accordingly, two troupes from Delft Island including a Folk and Nattu Kuuththu were identified. Similarly, there were four dancing troupes selected from Kilinochchi including Varnam, Pushpanjalee, Folk and Fusion. All these Dancing troupes are duly registered under the Divisional Secretariats.
A comprehensive 08-day technical training programme conducted for these dancing troupes in Delft on 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th July 2021 at Auditorium of Divisional Secretariat and on 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th July 2021 at Cultural Hall of District Secretariat, Kilinochchi
Lectures conducted practical sessions to give a better understanding on choreography. Both Males and Female dancers joined the programme.
Participants were given the knowledge on professional stage preparation techniques used by the traditional dancers and its importance. Although the dancing societies are currently engaged with the dancing activities in a very small scale, the troupes did not have proper professional knowledge on choreography.
Designing and creating the props required for cultural dancing was one of the key sessions of the training where the dancers actively engaged during the programme.
Since, the costume has become one of the challenges for the dancers in developing a cultural dancing act, the trainers provided a comprehensive knowledge on how to design and develop the required costumes.
In par with the developed dancing troupes performing in Colombo, a proper professional knowledge was given on the professional make ups during the training.
The brands of the make ups and the correct way of using the products were explained in detailed. Practical sessions gave a better exposure on this subject.
All cultural troupes presented few cultural dancing acts using the knowledge gained by the programme at the end of the programme.
Dancing Performances from the troupes….
A dancing troupe from Kilinochchi presenting their unique cultural dances at the closing day of the programme.
Additional District Secretary, Kilinochchi addressing the cultural dancers at the programme…
“The cultural dancers have to get the best use of this progrmme in order to present professional dancing experience for the domestic as well as foreign guests within the Delft Island” stated Mr. F. Sathyasothy, Divisional Secretary Delft Island addressing the programme.
15 cultural dancers from Delft Island and 45 cultural dancers from Kilinnochchi attended the programme.
Delft Cultural Dancing Troupes with the officials….
“Cultural Dancing is one of the unique symbols of Northern Culture. Therefore, the troupes should engage with these activities by protecting the traditional cultures, rituals as well as the ethics that are unique for cultural Tamil dances” said Mr. Sri Mohanan, Additional District Secretary, Kilinochchi addressing the closing ceremony of Kilinochchi Programme.
Kilinochchi Dancing Troupes with the officials….
EFECS Project in collaboration with Northern Province Tourism Bureau is planning to introduce these dancing troupes to the industry at the end August 2021.