Woman dancer breaks into male domain of demon dancing

Tharangika performs a devil dance

K.A.Tharangika Dilrukshi, a  resident of  Ahangama, can outdo her male counterparts through her exquisite performances which include swift changing of masks  representing different forms of demons while gesticulating nimbly, and impressing her captive audience while holding burning torches in her hands and mouth.  

By D.G.Sugathapala 

The eighteen  demon dances belonging to the tradition of low country dancing constitute a  folk religion among those who believe such ritualistic dance performances can cure maladies ranging from fever to  infertility by dispelling the malefic influence of evil spirits  known as Yakkas (demons or devils).  

These rituals are perfomed by experienced male devil dancers who are reputed exorcists and regarded as representatives of different forms of devils. Quite often, they are possessed by the said devils during the cermony. Their chanting, combined with the devil masks they wear, can frighten  spectators during these late night performances.

But now a young woman in her 20s has made a name for herself in  this  ‘Daha Ata Sanniya’ folk dance repertoire (the eighteen forms of demon dances).

K.A.Tharangika Dilrukshi, a  resident of  Ahangama, can outdo her male counterparts through her exquisite performances which include swift changing of masks  representing different forms of demons while gesticulating nimbly, and impressing her captive audience while holding burning torches in her hands and mouth.  

“ My grandfather was a Grama Niladhari, but he was  a famous devil dancer as well,” said Tharangika. “ We have inherited the art of  folk dancing, its customs and rituals from our ancesters.  My grand father  was an exorcist as well. Devil dancing is both a means of entertainment and a method of dispelling  demonic   and  malefic planetary influences as well. It is not mythlogy as many people presume.

“But the ingredients required for a devil dancing ceremony are not easily found. Devil Dancing is associated with boosting fertility as well.   In case of prolonged illness, it is the common belief that it is caused by the influence of evil forces. Daha Ata Sanniya or the eighteen forms of devil dancing  is a powerful method of dispelling sinister forces. In fact it is a challenging task  to dance to the rhythm of drums. Devil dancing has always been a male domain, and it is challenging because  I have to change one by one the eighteen demon masks  duing a perfomance.

“Devil dancing is today used as a means of entertainment particularly by the tourism sector bringing foreign exchange to the country. However, the rites and customs intervowen with devil dancing should be preserved as a means of dispelling those siniter forces bringing misfortue.” Tharangika said.

She further said that the traditions of devil dancing should be preserved as a cultural heritage.