Magical Sounds
Dance & percussion · NIDO Theatre / IDEA–IDEAC, Beijing
Children’s dance theatre exploring rhythm as storytelling—selected for presentation at the 10th IDEA/IDEAC Conference.
Artist Portfolio
Gimantha
Welegedara
Choreographer · Movement Researcher · Dance Educator
Kandyan tradition meeting contemporary Asian stages.
Profile
A voice of Kandyan dance on the contemporary stage
A dedicated and versatile dancer, choreographer, and dance educator with over 20 years of experience, rooted in traditional Sri Lankan dance forms and fluent in Indian classical, contemporary movement, and percussion. He creatively integrates Sri Lankan, broader Asian, and Western elements to craft innovative works for the modern stage— contributing significantly to the evolution of contemporary dance in Sri Lanka.
His practice specializes in Kandyan dance informed by Chinese Qi philosophy, yielding original performance and pedagogical approaches. He teaches across ages and cultures—and currently researches dance therapy for mental health and children with disabilities.
Highlights
- 20+ years — traditional Sri Lankan & fusion performance
- MFA Choreography — Nanjing University of the Arts (CSC Scholar)
- Artistic Director — Rangara Kalayathanaya since 2008
- Managing Director — Colombo International Dance Festival (CIDFA)
- Chitrasena Scholarship — artistic excellence (2021)
- IDEA/IDEAC Conference, Beijing — Magical Sounds
Performance Gallery
Stages, rituals, and intercultural rooms
Replace each block with a photo + caption (year · venue).
CIDFA StageColombo International Dance Festival · year
Rangara ProductionOriginal work · Homagama · year
NIDO TheatreNanjing · 2022–2024
AweshaRed Chair Theatre, Nanjing
Rhythm of RomanceRed Chair Theatre, Nanjing
Magical SoundsIDEA/IDEAC · Beijing
Ves PortraitTraditional Kandyan attire
Contemporary SoloMovement research still
Signature Works
Selected choreography
Awesha
Original production · Red Chair Theatre, Nanjing
Cultural fusion through ritual energy and contemporary phrasing—Kandyan vocabulary in dialogue with Chinese stage practice.
Rhythm of Romance
Original production · Red Chair Theatre, Nanjing
A lyric duet of pulse and narrative—tradition held lightly inside a modern theatrical frame.
Qi × Kandyan Research
MFA research · Nanjing University of the Arts
Investigating QiXi (breath) and Wansu theory as living bridges between Chinese philosophy and Sri Lankan dance ontology.
Press & Festivals
Recognition & platforms
Colombo International Dance Festival
IDEA / IDEAC Beijing
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Chitrasena Scholarship
Nanjing University of the Arts
University of Visual & Performing Arts
Chitrasena Dance Company
University of Peradeniya
Teaching & Research
Studio, campus, and healing practice
Artistic Director — Rangara Kalayathanaya
Homagama · 2008–Present
Training from age 3+; original productions uniting classical and contemporary Sri Lankan forms.
Visiting Lecturer — University of Peradeniya
2020
Kandyan fundamentals with experimental contemporary techniques and indigenous body-language systems.
Dance Therapy Research
Ongoing
Movement as care—investigating healing potential for mental health and children with disabilities.
Languages
Working across cultures
Sinhala
English
Japanese
Chinese (Mandarin)
Core strengths: Creativity · Teamwork · Adaptability
Video
Watch the work move
Selected Experience
Leadership & stages
Managing Director & Logistics Manager — CIDFA
2017–Present
Seven large-scale festivals; 4,000+ local and international dancers; sponsorship, costume, awards, Sri Lanka–China partnerships.
Dancer, Choreographer & Event Coordinator — NIDO Theatre Company
Nanjing · 2022–2024
5+ major theatrical productions across China; interdisciplinary collaboration with Chinese and international artists.
Dance Teacher & Choreographer — Weeds Dance Theatre
Nanjing · 2022–2024
Taught Kandyan dance to Chinese and Latin American dancers; choreographed Awesha and Rhythm of Romance.
Writer & Dance Teacher — Chitrasena Dance Company & School
2021
Scholarship recipient; syllabus contributor; beginner/intermediate Kandyan instruction and cultural documentation.
Contact
Let’s collaborate
Phone
+94 710 998 429 · +94 718 391 746
Studio
610/32, Pitipana Town, Homagama, Sri Lanka
References
Prof. Wang Jiawei — Nanjing University of the Arts
liujiangzhi@nua.edu.cn
Dr. Sudesh Mantillake — University of Peradeniya
sudeshm@arts.pdn.ac.lk