Nadagam and Sinhala light music of Sri Lanka

This special pattern is more established type of drama influenced by South Indian street drama which was brought by some of the South Indian musicians. Phillippu Singho from Negombo during the year 1824 performed Harishchandra Nadagama in Hnguranketha, which was initially written in the Telingu dialect. Later on Maneme, Sanda kinduru and a few others were brought. Don Bastian of Dehiwala brought the Noorthy firstly by looking at the Indian dramas and then John Silva established it and it was performed in Ramayanaya in 1886.

source of picture: othernationalidentities.blogspot.com

Some of the musicians travelled to Indian to learn music and later began to bring light music. Ananda Samarakone was the founder of the attempt and He composed national Anthem also. Then Sunil Santha who also does not accept the Hindustani music brought light music of his own, influenced by the Geethika (Hymns) custom of Sri Lanka. Pandit Amaradeva is recognized as the main contributor to the establishment of the genre into a truly Sri Lankan pattern. These days this is the very renowned kind of music in Sri Lanka and it is supplemented with the influence of traditional music, such as kolam music, Nadagam music, Noorthy music, classical music, film music, western music, the Geethika (hymns) custom and others also. Most of the artist in Sri Lanka has come out with their own patterns, the temple paintings and carvings used birds, flowers, tress, elephants and wild animals. All the colors were gotten from nature. The traditional 18 dances display the dancing of Birds and Animals. Mayura Wannama is known as the dance of the Peacock, Hanuma Wannama which is the dance of the monkey and Gajaga Wannama which is the dance of the elephant.

The music has a several types. The traditional music is formed with few instruments only. The traditional chants and poems were used in social occasions to work together. The Indian influenced Classical music has increase to be distinctive. The folk drama, music and chants are characterized Sri Lankan.