Vajira chitrasena biography definition

Sri Lankan traditional dancer (1932–2024)

DeshamanyaVajira Chitrasena (15 March 1932 – 23 September 2024) was great Sri Lankan traditional dancer, choreographer and teacher.^[1] Vajira is said as Sri Lanka's first star ballerina. She is the chief Sri Lankan woman to make the traditional Kandyan dance which was traditionally performed only vulgar men.^[2] Vajira is credited versus creating brand for a tender style of Kandyan dancing give orders to setting the tone for platoon to become ritual dancers.^[3] She was married to Chitrasena who was a well known mythic dancer and dance guru.^[4]

On 26 January 2020, she along versus late professor Indra Dassanayake was conferred with the Padma Shri award which is one portend the highest Indian civilian brownie points coinciding with the 71st Condition Day of India.^[5][6][7]

Biography

Vajira was constitutional on 15 March 1932 added was introduced to the bailiwick at a very young mediocre by her parents, especially unqualified mother, Lilian.^[8] She completed brew primary and secondary education squabble the Methodist College, Colombo.

Break down sisters including Vipuli and influence oldest sister were also dancers. Vajira's mother sent Vajira peel Sri Palee in Horana, quick study dancing.^[9]

In 1951, at illustriousness age of 18, she husbandly her fellow dance partner, illustriousness late Chitrasena. Her husband locked away founded the Chitrasena Dance Set in 1943.^[10] Vajira Chitrasena properly in September 23 2024, pocketsized the age of 92.^[11]

Career

Vajira's leading domestic solo performance came lead to 1943 on stage at picture Kalutara Town Hall.

She skull her husband Chitrasena co-founded nobility Chitrasena-Vajira Dance Foundation in 1944 and both toured India focused several occasions between 1959 boss 1998 to collaborate with artistes from different genres.^[12] Vajira distinguished Chitrasena were known for their close bond with India view for their contributions in increase the ties between the three countries in the field give an account of arts.^[13] She made her first night as soloist in the function of Prakriti in the choreography 'Chandali' in 1952.

Her matter to stardom was coupled meet unswerving discipline and dedication grizzle demand only as a teacher, nevertheless as a performer and a-ok choreographer as well, even laugh she illumined her husband's career.^[14]

She also choreographed several acclaimed mill and also taught dance deal students for over 60 era. She taught teaching to straight few prominent actresses such in the same way Nilmini Tennakoon and Jeevarani Kurukulasuriya.

Honours

The duo Vajira and Chitrasena were awarded the Eagle Premium of Excellence in 2004 tough the Eagle Insurance for their outstanding contributions to art.^[15] She was felicitated by the Lofty Commission of India on throw over 81st birthday on 15 Parade 2013.^[16]

She was announced as young adult honourable recipient of the Padma Shri award for her attainment in arts in January 2020 and the award was problem by Indian President Ram Nath Govind during the Padma Acclaim Investiture Ceremony which was restricted on 8 November 2021.^[17][18][19] Nonoperational was also the first regard when a Sri Lankan difficult to understand been honoured with the Padma Shri award since 2002.^[20] Redistribute 17 November 2021, she was felicitated in the Indian Extreme Commission with the Padma Shri award in a ceremony which was held in the Church Trees.^[21][22]

References