The pioneer of Kandyan Dance 💃

                                                                     S. Panibharatha

                

                S. Panibharatha was a prominent Sri Lankan dancer and choreographer. Considered to be the

 pioneer of Kandyan dance. He was born on 20th February 1920 in the charming rural village of Algama

 in the Kegalla District of Sri Lanka.

                He received his primary education at Medagama Vidyalaya in Algama and then furthered his

 secondary education via Pirivena. During this time, he was under the tutelage of some excellent 

and distinguished Buddhists monks including Rev. KirialleGnanawela and Rev. ThibbatuweGunanda,

who imparted him with a great deal of wisdom and knowledge.

                At age 7 he was designated the honour of performing the ''Magul Bera'' (Traditional and

 Auspicious Drumming at Important Events) at the opening of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

                 He expanded his talent, technique and knowledge of traditional Sri Lankan Dance forms and 

drumming skills under the instruction of his Uncle Algama kiriganna.

                 Thereafter, upon the invitation of J. D .A. Perera, he accompanied Mr.Perera's wife    

Chandralekha on her visit to India as her Traditional Drummer. It was during this visit he met many

artistic and literary personalities based in India. It was after this visit to India  that he received the

 opportunity to further his Tertiary Artistic Disciplines at the Shantiniketan, Calcutta, India.

                  Upon his return to the lsland, he became more renowned and better known as 

''Siththacharige panibharatha''. Since then he created and contributed many dance items to the

 Traditional Dance Arena of Sri Lanka.

 

                   He embarked on his final journey upon leaving his physical presence on earth at the age 

of 86 on 22nd September 2005.