Music of Sri Lanka
The music of Sri Lanka has its roots in four primary influences: ancient folk rituals, Buddhist religious traditions, the legacy of European colonization, and the commercial and historical influence of nearby Indian culture—specifically, Bollywood cinema. The Theravada sect of Buddhism has exercised a particular influence on Sri Lankan music since Buddhism arrived in Sri Lanka around the opening of the first millennium.
Portuguese colonists were among the first Europeans to arrive in Sri Lanka, landing in the mid-15th century. They brought with them traditional cantiga ballads, ukuleles and guitars, as well as conscripted Africans (referred to, historically, as kaffrinhas), who spread their own style of music known as baila. The confluence of both European and African traditions served to further diversify the musical roots of contemporary Sri Lankan music.
Another traditional Sri Lankan folk style is called the virindu. It involves an improvised poem sung to the beaten melody of a rabana. Traditional song contests were held in which two virindu singers would compete through spontaneous verse.
The Music is several kinds. The folk music is created with few instruments only. The folk songs and poems were used in social gatherings to work together. The Indian influenced Classical Music has grown to be unique.,[2][3][4][5] The traditional drama, music and songs are typically Sri Lankan.
This drum beat may seem simple on the first hearing but it takes a long time to master the intricate rhythms and variations, which the drummer sometimes can bring to a crescendo of intensity.
Portuguese colonists were among the first Europeans to arrive in Sri Lanka, landing in the mid-15th century. They brought with them traditional cantiga ballads, ukuleles and guitars, as well as conscripted Africans (referred to, historically, as kaffrinhas), who spread their own style of music known as baila. The confluence of both European and African traditions served to further diversify the musical roots of contemporary Sri Lankan music.
Folk music
Caste-based folk poems (kavi) originated as communal song shared within individual groups as they engaged in daily work. Today, they remain a popular form of cultural expression. Kavi was also sung to accompany annual rituals. These ancient rites are rarely performed in contemporary Sri Lanka, but the preserved songs are still performed by folk musicians.Another traditional Sri Lankan folk style is called the virindu. It involves an improvised poem sung to the beaten melody of a rabana. Traditional song contests were held in which two virindu singers would compete through spontaneous verse.
Traditional folk music of Sri Lanka
The art, music and dances of Sri Lanka were derived from ritualistic responses to natural phenomenon. Sri Lanka's earlist folk music was later influenced by the influx of Buddhist traditions. These songs were performed by commoners, and not merely recited by the priestly castes.[1]Pagentary
Sri Lanka has a highly evolved pagentry tradition, which has a unique array of music.Local drama music (Kolam/Nadagam/Noorthy)
Kolam music is a low country folk tradition of the south-west coast and it's use was both in exorcism rituals as a form of healing and in masked comedy and drama.Nadagam music
This particular style is a more developed form of drama influenced by South Indian street drama which was introduced by some South Indian Artists. Phillippu Singho from Negombo in 1824 performed “Harishchandra Nadagama” in Hnguranketha, which was originally written in the Telingu language. Later “Maname”, “Sanda kinduru” and a few others were introduced. Don Bastian of Dehiwala introduced Noorthy firstly by looking at Indian dramas and then John De Silva developed it and performed Ramayanaya in 1886.Sinhala light music
Some artist visited India to learn music and later started introducing light music. Ananda Samarakone was the pioneer of this attempt and He composed National Anthem too. Then Sunil Santha who also did not stick to Hindustani music introduced light music of his own, influenced by The Geethika (Hymns) tradition of Sri Lanka. Please visit http://www.infolanka.com/miyuru_gee to listen few of them online. Pandit Amaradeva is credited as the major contributor to the development of this genre into a truly Sri Lankan style. Nowadays this is the most popular type of music in Sri Lanka and enriched with the influence of folk music, kolam music, Nadagam music, Noorthy music, Film music, Classical music, Western music, the Geethika (Hymns) tradition and others too. Most of the musician in Sri Lanka have come out with their own creations The temple paintings and carvings used birds, elephants, wild animals, flowers and trees. The colors were made of nature. The Traditional 18 Dances display the dancing of Birds and Animals. Mayura Wannama - The dance of the Peacock Hanuma Wannama - The dance of the Monkey Gajaga Wannama - The dance of the elephantThe Music is several kinds. The folk music is created with few instruments only. The folk songs and poems were used in social gatherings to work together. The Indian influenced Classical Music has grown to be unique.,[2][3][4][5] The traditional drama, music and songs are typically Sri Lankan.
Sri Lanka's traditional musical instruments
The classical Sinhalese Orchestra consists of five categories of instruments. But, the drum, is the king of local percussions instruments and without it, there will be no dance.[6] The vibrant beat of the rhythm of the drums form the basic of the dance. The dances feet bounce off the floor and they leap and swirl in patterns that reflex the complex rhythms of the drum beat.This drum beat may seem simple on the first hearing but it takes a long time to master the intricate rhythms and variations, which the drummer sometimes can bring to a crescendo of intensity.
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