Chithrarathna Kurunnase: Sri Lanka’s Famous Traditional Kandyan Dancer and Teacher
Chithrarathna Werapitiya, better known in the community as Chithrarathna Kurunnase, is the island’s grand master of the traditional Kandyan dancing art – one of the most respected crafts that originated in the hill country of Ceylon centuries ago. He has been awarded the President’s Award more than 40 times for his exceptional traditional dancing and singing performances over the years, and has represented Sri Lanka on prestigious overseas tours. Passing down the tradition to hundreds more, he founded the Chithrarathna Narthana Ayathanaya Kandyan Dancing Academy.
One of the highest honors for any traditional dancer in Sri Lanka is performing at the Kandy Perahara amidst the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha, and Chithrarathna’s “wes kandayama”, the traditional mask dance, is one of the most prominent acts in the Perahara to-date.