Guru Vajira Chitrasena, a veteran dancer who brought Sri Lanka’s traditional dance to the international arena, passed away on September 23, 2024 at the age of 92.
She represented the Sri Lankan identity in traditional dancing on the global stage and embodied an era of legends who dedicated their lives to their true passions, mastering their art and standing firm in their beliefs. This article is a tribute to her remarkable journey as a pioneer of Kandyan dance.
Early life
Vajira, born on March 15, 1932, in Kalutara to a Sinhala Buddhist family, was encouraged by her mother, a teacher with a passion for dance, to pursue dancing despite her initial reluctance. As a child, Vajira often found it difficult to focus in classes.
However, her mother arranged for Chitrasena, a well-known dancer, to teach dance at their home. Despite her playful nature, Vajira’s talent began to shine through as she participated in various performances.
Vajira attended Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya, where her mother persuaded the principal to introduce dance as a subject, leading her to take classes from Ananga Lal Athukorala and Nimal Welgama. It wasn’t until her performance in the school production of Vessanthara that she truly discovered her love for dance.
Meeting Chitrasena
Recognising her potential, Chitrasena invited Vajira and her sister to Colombo, where Vajira fully dedicated herself to her dance education at Methodist College, later leaving her studies to pursue her passion. Her determination made her a role model for others in the field of traditional Kandyan dance, cementing her legacy as a pioneer in the art form.
In 1948, Vajira made her debut as the deer in Chitrasena’s Ramayana, marking her first public performance. She later portrayed the deer again in Chitrasena’s ballet Ravana and the snake maiden in Vidura. Recognising her talent, Chitrasena became her mentor, instilling in her a passion for dance that would shape her life. At the time, stage performances were uncommon for women in Sri Lanka, making Vajira a trailblazer. Chitrasena taught her all aspects of dance, from production to stagecraft, and encouraged her to study influential dancers like Anna Pavlova and Martha Graham.
In 1949, Vajira performed a groundbreaking Kandyan dance, which helped establish female performers in Sri Lanka. The late Somabandu Vidyapathi even designed a special Kandyan costume for her. As they honed their craft together, Vajira and Chitrasena became well-known throughout the country, with her deep commitment to dance reflecting a spiritual connection to the art form.
In 1950, Vajira married her mentor, Chitrasena. Beyond her choreography, Vajira transformed Kandyan dance from a masculine expression to a more feminine style, incorporating her natural grace and emotions into performances. She made a significant impact on the dance form, coinciding with a time when Sri Lankans were ready to embrace dance as an art.
In 1952, Vajira debuted as a soloist in the lead role of Chandalika, produced by Chitrasena. That same year, she also created her first children’s ballet, Himakumariya, and went on to produce eleven ballets for children, seven for adults, and three in collaboration with Chitrasena.
Karadiya
A major milestone occurred in 1961 with the premiere of Karadiya, the first pure ballet by Chitrasena that used no spoken dialogue. This ballet showcased Vajira as the main female character, highlighting her expressive movement. Chitrasena played the male lead, encouraging Vajira to create her own choreography for the character of an oppressed woman. The production was acclaimed by both critics and audiences, exemplifying their combined artistry in dance and theatre.
Becoming a mother
Vajira became a mother in 1951 with the birth of her elder daughter, Upeka. Despite having children, she continued teaching and performing on stage, taking only a six-month break. Her mother, who cherished Vajira’s dancing, would bring her grandchildren to rehearsals, ensuring that the support from her family made her children feel like a blessing rather than a burden.
Two years later, Vajira welcomed her younger daughter, Anjalee, and in 1957, she gave birth to her son, Anudatta. Dance became an integral part of the family’s daily life. Vajira’s contributions to ballet were significant, including Chandalika, in which she played the mother and Upeka portrayed the daughter, creating a memorable experience for the audience.
Having mastered choreography at a young age, Vajira gained further recognition with the ballet Karadiya. She also directed and produced Bera Handa in 2001, which achieved great success. Noticing a decline in the number of male dancers in Sri Lanka, Vajira took the initiative to select ten adult males for a two-and-a-half-year dance program with specialised teachers.
Chitrasena Dance academy
Together, Chitrasena and Vajira played a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of professional dancers in Sri Lanka. Upeka became the principal dancer of the Chitrasena Dance Company, while her younger daughter, Anjalika, emerged as an accomplished dancer, teacher, and choreographer, creating her first ballet, Koombi Kathawa, in 2007.
Vajira’s daughter-in-law, Janaki, was also a dancer, teacher, and manager of the dance company. The next generation, including granddaughters Heshma, Umadanthi, and Thaji, continues this rich legacy.
Many students from Chitrasena Kalayathana have set up their own dance schools and companies, furthering the vision of Chitrasena and Vajira. Notable former students include Ravibandu and Samanthi Vidyapathi, Channa Wijewardana, Khema, Tanya de Silva, and Visha de Silva.
International exposure
Vajira toured extensively throughout her career, with her first international engagement in 1957 as a lead dancer in the ballet Samavijaya (Triumph of Peace) at the Youth Festival in the USSR. As the first cultural ambassador of Kandyan dance, she showcased this Sri Lankan heritage across Europe, England, Canada, Australia, and various Asian countries, including India. Vajira captivated audiences, including royalty and dignitaries, with her exceptional artistry.
Vajira’s stage career spanned from 1948 to 2006, earning her numerous awards, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Performing Arts in Sri Lanka, the Kalashoori award in 1988, the International Women’s Award in 1998, and the Kalabooshana award from the President in 2005.
In 2013, she was honoured by the Parliament. Following Chitrasena’s passing in 2005, Vajira continued to uphold his vision and dreams for the past two decades. As we celebrate Vajira’s legacy today, it is clear that the dedication and sacrifice of both Chitrasena and Vajira for the preservation and promotion of traditional dance in Sri Lanka, as well as its global outreach, will carry on through their family and the students of the Chitrasena Academy.
Tribute
This article is a tribute to her vibrant journey as a dancer, based on an interview I conducted in celebration of her 87th birthday in 2019. I still remember how she spoke fondly of her beloved husband, Chitrasena, expressing her deep gratitude with the words, “I’m no one without him.” This passionate artistic couple developed themselves and nurtured generations of talented youth dedicated to carrying forward the legacy of Sri Lankan traditional dance for the future. They are a shining example of dedication, passion, love, and commitment.
Goodbye, Guru Vajira Chitrasena; your dance will be forever remembered!
