Kandyan Dance
The Kandyan Dance (Uda Rata Natum) is Sri Lanka's most famous dance form — a powerful, acrobatic dance with elaborate costumes, headgear, and rhythmic drum sounds. Originally a ritual dance at the Esala Perahera in Kandy, it is now also performed at daily cultural shows.
Visiting Dance Shows
- Kandy Lake Club: Daily performance at 5:00 PM, 1,500 LKR. Several dance styles, fire-walking finale.
- Kandyan Art Association: More intimate performance, often with explanations.
- Esala Perahera (July/August): The most authentic experience — ten nights of dance, drumming, and decorated elephants in the streets of Kandy.
In addition to the Kandyan dance, there are other traditional dance forms: the Low Country Dance (Devil Dance) with ritual masks on the southern coast and the Sabaragamuwa Dance in the southwest.
