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Kandy holds a very special place in my heart as one of my favorite cities. There is something truly magical about it. Above all, I am deeply drawn to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Every moment I spend there brings an incredible sense of peace to my soul. For Buddhists, this temple is the crown jewel of our heritage and faith. One of my favorite things to do is to sit quietly and listen to the 'Thewa' drums. That sound is so profoundly soothing that I often wonder if there is anything else in this world that can bring such tranquility to the human mind. 

No matter where we go in the world or who we meet, there is a secret formula that sets us apart from everyone else. We call it the "Sri Lankan Identity" or simply, our Apekama (our sense of togetherness). It is far more than just a nationality written on a birth certificate; it is a feeling deeply woven into our DNA. So today, I felt like taking a moment on my blog to remind ourselves of who we really are. 1. That Smile... The One the Whole World Knows! When we talk about our identity, the first thing that comes to mind is the smile on our people's faces. Walking down the street, even when eye contact is made with a complete stranger, they will flash a heartwarming smile. I have never seen this anywhere else in the world quite like in Sri Lanka. It is not a fake, polite smile; it comes straight from the heart. No matter how much the world changes, that genuine smile remains exactly the same. 2. Hospitality (We Are All One Big Family) If someone visits our home, it is our ...

🍃A village is not just a place to live; it is a soothing medicine for the soul. Moving from the hustle and bustle of a busy city to the countryside brings a sense of peace that is truly hard to put into words. One such beautiful village that has captured my heart forever, and a place I always love to visit, is Gampola. 🌿 Serenity Wrapped in Coolness When I think of Gampola, the first thing that comes to my mind is its wonderful, chilly climate. Waking up in the morning to see the entire village wrapped in a thin blanket of mist, with the sun's rays peeking through, is an absolute treat for the eyes! Instead of the constant roar of city traffic, all you hear here is the sweet chirping of birds and the gentle rustle of the wind through the trees. 🍃 The True Essence of Village Life The real beauty of a village lies in its simplicity. • Pure Air from the Greenery: It is the perfect escape from city smog, where you can fill your lungs with fresh, clean air. • Untouched Nature: The lu...

The Friends I Found Through Art 🔥❤️ True friendships are rare, but friendships born out of a shared passion for art are truly magical. My journey in the world of dance hasn’t just given me a way to express myself; it has also gifted me with two of the best friends I could ever ask for. From the Desks of Thurstan to the Dance Floor This beautiful bond started back in our school days at Thurstan College. We weren't just schoolmates; we were in the same class, sharing the same bench, the same laughs, and the same big dreams. That is where we discovered our mutual love for dancing. Among those friends, two stand out the most: Isuru and Sunera. Even back then, it was obvious that they were incredibly talented. From school practices to stage performances, we danced through our teenage years side by side. A Shared Dream: The University Years The most special chapter of our story is that our hard work paid off in the most beautiful way. All three of us got the opportunity to enter the Uni...

Today, we live in a completely different world. From the moment we wake up until we go to sleep at night, technology has become an essential part of our daily routines. Did this shift bring good or bad to our lives? Honestly, there are two sides to the story. The Bright Side: Making Life Easier • Revolution in Communication: Today, we can have a face-to-face video call in a matter of seconds with a loved one, no matter where they are in the world. Physical distance is no longer a barrier. • Information at Our Fingertips: In the past, we had to visit libraries and search through books to find information. Now, we can learn about any subject with just a single click on our phones. • Saving Time: We can do banking, pay bills, and shop for groceries right from home. This saves a massive amount of our valuable time. The Dark Side: What We Are Losing • Distance in Real Relationships: Because we are trapped inside the digital world on our screens, we rarely have open, heartfelt conversations ...

  The Kandyan dance tradition (Udarata Natum) is the art form I have studied the most. This rich tradition is mainly spread across the regions of Sath Korale, Sathara Korale, and Kandy. While they all belong to the same heritage, you can see subtle, beautiful variations in dance styles based on these specific regions. Key Elements of the Tradition: • The Master Ritual: The pinnacle of Kandyan dance is the Kohomba Yak Kankariya. It is a spectacular and elaborate ritual. • The Attire: The main costume used in this ritual is the majestic Ves attire (Ves Adumma). • The Rhythm: The primary drum that brings these dances to life is the Geta Beraya. A Great Blessing in My Life I was fortunate enough to learn the classical Kandyan percussion and drumming techniques under the guidance of the renowned guru, Mr. Prasanna Rupathilaka. I consider having the opportunity to learn from him a truly immense blessing in my artistic journey. Kandyan Dance Today While it originated as a sacred ritual, t...

The Hardest Battle I Ever Won❤ The greatest challenge I have ever overcome in my life was passing my G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) examination. What made it so incredibly difficult was that just three months before the exam, my father passed away suddenly from a heart attack 🥀. At that moment, I was completely lost and didn’t know what to do. My mind was shattered, and I hit the absolute rock bottom. To be honest, it is a memory I still wish I could erase. However, as the only child in the family, I soon realized that I had to pass this exam for the sake of my mother. I needed to be strong for her. During this dark time, my mother, my teachers, and my friends became my pillars of strength. I am deeply grateful to all of them. Looking back, overcoming that immense grief and passing the O/L exam remains the hardest milestone I have ever conquered.

The Art of Bali Yagaya (Bali Rituals)🙏 Bali Yagaya is a profound healing ritual (Shanthikarma) that can be found across all three major dance traditions in Sri Lanka. Historical records suggest that during the Kotte kingdom, these rituals were predominantly performed by Brahmin scholars who had migrated from India. Deeply concerned by this foreign influence, the venerable Vidagama Thero took the initiative to establish a localized, indigenous system of Bali rituals that incorporated the chanting of the virtues of the Buddha (Budu Guna). Consequently, it is widely accepted that the contemporary local system of Bali rituals originated during the Kotte era. It is also believed that Vidagama Thero authored texts such as Rathnalankaraya, Yaga Sangrahaya, and Maha Bali Nidhanaya, which contain the chants associated with these rituals. The role of a Bali ritual practitioner (Bali Edura) is far more demanding than that of practitioners in other traditional healing rituals. This is because a B...

Traditional Sri Lankan Davula 🥁❤️ My favorite traditional Sri Lankan musical instrument is the Davula. It holds a special place in our rich musical heritage and stands out as a unique masterpiece among our indigenous instruments. Here is a look at what makes the Davula so fascinating: The Craft and Classification The Davula belongs to the Vitathatha category of drums, meaning it is played using one hand and a special stick. This dedicated playing stick is known as the Kadippuwa. Traditionally, the cylindrical body of the drum (the shell) is crafted from high-quality woods such as: • Ehela (Golden Shower tree) • Kohomba (Margosa/Neem) • Gansuriya (Portia tree) • Kitul (Fishtail palm) Interestingly, the drumheads differ by region. In the Sabaragamuwa tradition, goat skin is typically used, while the Kandyan tradition often utilizes cowhide. Regional Use and Traditions While the Davula is the primary and most sacred instrument in the Sabaragamuwa dance and drumming tradition, it is not l...

Music is a universal language that speaks directly to our hearts, expressing feelings that words sometimes just can't. If you look at the current music scene in Sri Lanka, there are so many different styles popping up. But for me, there’s one artist who really stands out with his unique and fresh sound – and that’s Yasas Medagedara. Today, I wanted to use my blog to share why I love listening to his songs so much and what makes his music so special to me. 🎧 A totally fresh sound The best thing I notice in Yasas Medagedara’s music is how fresh his melodies and arrangements feel. Instead of just sticking to the typical beats we hear all the time, he brings in a very soothing, acoustic vibe. The way he blends guitar and piano parts in his tracks gives off a really chill and peaceful feeling. 💖 Melodies that touch the soul Lyrics are important, but it’s the melody that really brings a song to life. The melodies Yasas creates have this amazing vibe that just pulls you in. Take his hi...

My drumming instructor is Prasanna Rupathilaka , an accomplished traditional dancer and musician. He is the second child of Guru Daniel, a highly skilled dancer and ritual practitioner (Aduru) from Pannipitiya. A master of both Up-Country (Kandyan) and Low-Country dance traditions, my teacher inherited his foundational skills through his family lineage. Furthermore, he honed his expertise in Kandyan dance and drumming under the guidance of Dr. Piyasara Shilpadhipathi. He also mastered Low-Country drumming and Madu Shanthikarma (healing rituals) under the tutelage of Guru Hokandara Sandoris Jayantha, a distinguished percussionist from the Raigam Korale. Representing prestigious troupes such as the Sama Foundation and the State Dance Ensemble, Guru Prasanna Rupathilaka has had the honor of bringing glory to Sri Lanka across numerous countries worldwide. Currently, he serves as a Lecturer at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and as the Director of the Prasanna Roo Rangayathanaya, wher...

I live in Boralasgamuwa, a vibrant suburb located in the Colombo District of Sri Lanka. Situated about 14 kilometers from Colombo along the Colombo-Horana road, this town holds a fascinating place in our island's history. Local elders proudly recall that during the Kotte Kingdom era, this was the training and gathering ground for royal troops before they headed into battle. The original name "Bala-ras-gamuwa" (the village where forces gathered) eventually evolved into the name we use today, Boralasgamuwa. When discussing the historical landmarks in and around my hometown, the  Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya  undoubtedly takes center stage. A Sacred Link to the Ancient Past The heritage of the Bellanwila Temple traces back to the reign of King Devanampiyatissa in Anuradhapura. According to the ancient chronicle Sinhala Bodhivamsa, the sacred Bodhi tree at Bellanwila is one of the Dethis Phala Ruha Bodhi (the 32 saplings that originated from the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi ). ...

This was a trip that I will cherish for the rest of my life. It happened back when we were doing our Advanced Levels, organized by the Arts Section of Thurstan College. To look after us and guide us with love, our Head of the Arts Department, our class teachers, and another teacher joined the trip. We visited several amazing places during this journey. Our very first stop was the historic Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya. After seeking blessings there, we didn’t forget to visit the famous Ahalepola Walawwa as well. One of the most important and inspiring highlights of our trip was getting the chance to visit the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. Seeing it in person only made my dream of entering a university even stronger! Afterwards, we headed to our night stop at the Highlanders Holiday Complex, which is managed by the Sri Lanka Army. That night was filled with pure joy—we sang songs, laughed, and had the best time before finally going to sleep. The next morning, we set off towar...