KALASURI CHANNA WIJEWARDENA UNDENIABLE EMPEROR OF CHOREOGRAPHY LEADS CHANNA UPULI DANCE TROUPE ACCOMPLISHED TO UNMATCHED TOWERING ALTITUDES FOR OVER FOUR DECADES AT SUMMIT OF CELEBRITY – by Sunil Thenabadu
Kalasuri Udayprem Wijewardena , awarded a doctorate in Art and Culture from the university of young scientists at the 2nd global business leadership forum 2018 held in India .Channa was born in Rangoon in Myanmar where he had lived only for ten months before the family moved to London for five years as his father was a diplomat attached to the foreign service ,Channa could recollect his younger days living in London ,how the VIP’s were invited to dinner enjoying the delicious curries his mother had prepared. He also remembered his tenure in primary education in the UK at K9 class when he initially learned the steps for ‘chalana’, flexibility ,body movements what one could perform, also what the body could do. Channa had learnt from his early age how one should stand, walk and sleep in the proper manner. Channa sums up the meaning of ‘dance’ as a ‘religion’. It is predominantly to one’s ‘heart not to the eyes.” Channa as a ritual at the beginning of any dance recital plays the music of “Dhammo Budunge Sri Dharmas Kanda” which soothes and calms all audiences. Channa believes dance is a ‘pious’ spectacle which is deeply religious following all moral and ethical codes of religions.
After father’s tenure of five years in foreign service in UK he had asserted that it is Sri Lanka where one needs to study had returned to native country via ship ‘Canberra” had lived in his native Kegalle. It was Kegalu Vidyalaya the first school in Sri Lanka, Channa had studied in. Then had moved to the residence at Dehiwala ,had studied for a short stint at Alethea school, then another short stint had studied at Carey College where he had met Jeevan Kumaratunga too. At Carey there had been no rugby which was Channa’s favourite sports after basketball which he had learnt from the YMCA Dehiwala at next door. Therefore he had entered Isipatana College exclusively to play Rugger which Isipatana was famous for.In school Channa had excelled in studies particularly in Physics. It was added his father had managed the Chitrasena group which he had heard from Vajira aunty.The two families had been inter connected. His elder sister Yamuna de Fonseka too had been a student in the Chitrasena dance school. Channa’s father had requested him to pick up the sister while on his way from Rugger practices at the Chitrasena dancing institute at Kollupitiya to the dwelling in Dehiwala which Channa had obeyed. He had been used to sit on a side bench until sister completed her lessons. One day Vajira madam had requested Channa to sell some souvenirs at one of their shows at the YMBA Borella which he acceded to. At the YMBA he had seen plenty of foreigners in the audience had heard the huge applauses inside the hall. As he stepped in he had seen guru Chitrasena as a ‘marble like statue ‘ in a dance sequence to which he had got bewildered and dumbfounded , which instantly had touched the mind of Channa to commence learning the art bidding goodbye to his favourite Rugger sport.But as a prominent member of the team if was difficult for him to leave the team, as well as from the Basketball team.But he had gradually obtained authorisation to leave after skipping practices gradually started with ‘Udarata’ dancing, he had then in company of five namely Ravibandu,Trisle, Ranjith and the well-known Sydney Chandrasekera. When his group performed there were four beautiful fair girls who danced to precision where several audiences were mesmerized. Even to date such a group could never be surpassed at all functions, weddings, concerts etc . Channa’s changes made to the traditional dancing with his inimitable variations many had tried to copy even today but sans much success. From Channa’s small days had wanted changes to the traditional forms which was hailed by many audiences. If one copies another’s creations he could only be confined to that only sans diverting to others zones depending on the audiences, his thinking is always out of the box. Channa’s initial dance teacher had been musician Dilip Gabadapitiya who had also taught the basics of fusion dancing , had also learnt about fusion in the proper way to make the dance more delightful. Channa before joining the Chitrasena dance academy had been employed but not prolonged much. Channa had been attached to the Cultural Ministry too ,in all of that has had to do something with dance. Channa had been attached as a project officer on Performing Arts at the Education Ministry as well. Having been impressed overwhelmingly with Chitrasena dancing demonstrations had joined the Chitrasena dance academy sans any hesitation giving up sports and studies.
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The conventional dance was transformed to diverse dimensions by the undeniable king of choreography Kalasuri Channa Wijewardena who is also a celebrated Ves dancer, the traditional dance in native Sri Lanka, which is much more than just a ritual, which is a sacred recitation for protection against misfortunes.The Ves dancers costume is also considered sacred. There is something intensely thrilling in the movements of the Ves dance. The bracelets on his feet with the trembling ornaments on his headdress create the most rhythmic tinkling accompanied by the sound of drums. The Ves dance is an ancient ritual that was performed in a purification ceremony known as the ‘Kohomba Kankariya’.Only men performs this Ves dance.Ves dancer has to traditionally don a costume of 64 ornaments believed to be a replica of the attire worn by the associated deity God ‘kohomba’. This attire is unique to the Ves dance recital.The upper body is bare except for a flimsy web like apron made of shells and beads. The plated white cloth covering the lower chest is draped around the waist and tucked, creating the look of loose fitting pants.The silver headgear characterises the Ves dancer.From the conical top of the head dress,spreads seven spokes that look like rays, sometimes similar to flames and even leaves. From the seven corners dandle little shining trinkets’ headdress is a silver forehead plate. The mango shaped ornaments for the ears and cobra shaped coverings over the arms, the assemble is complete and the Ves dancer is ready to whirl to the beat.The Ves dance is an embodiment of Sri Lankan traditional dance narrations. As the drums beat ,the dancer moves his hands ,feet and body in perfect harmony with fellow performers, until the climax of his act, which every person in the audience awaits in high anticipation. His back flips, acrobatics and leaps are spellbinding. The famous revolutions, a while on one foot is the feature of the performance. As the Ves dancer rotates, the long ribbon, suspended from his elaborate crown-like headgear makes the most energetic flicking movement. It is just not stored everywhere, but it is usually placed in a separate shrine room or at the village temple.
According to Channa a skilled dancer to become a professional necessitates the innate talent to interpret and transmit narratives and emotions through a tangible manner. Nevertheless, what appears crafty and impeccable on stage is the consequence of much more than natural aptitude. Dancers also count on the attributes of tangible resilience and vigour, steadfastness, remembrance preservation and other virtues to highlight entertaining presentations for their viewers. Without the mandatory physical fitness and vigour, dancers cannot successfully execute. Their art requires hours of workouts to maintain proper weight and fitness, as well as enough energy to physically withstand long hours of rehearsal. They must also maintain a high degree of physical flexibility for the many types of skilled movement expected of them. Another necessary physical characteristic for dancers is balance, so that they remain in symmetrical form, coordinated and staying in rhythm as they dance. Additionally, dancers need to be conscious of diet and nutrition to keep their physical systems intact. Dancers require creativity, which help them to articulate the music and story lines they dance by using unique body movements. This artistic ability allows dancers to communicate ideas through physical expression and produce new ideas to combine to dance routines. A sense of musicality, such as in rhythm, goes along with the creativity that dancers need to perform well which are the beliefs of Channa.
Dancers always need to work coordinating with others, even if they occasionally perform solo. They must be able to take direction from their choreographer, and the feature of teamwork is equally essential for coordinating their dance routines with other dancers in their company or production group. Being able to communicate and respond to others’ cues on the dance floor is essential for flawless execution of often complex dance moves. A high degree of trust must also be developed as part of collaborating with a team – for example, when a dancer performs a dangerous move that requires a partner to catch her or hold her in position. Another important factor is to change strategies according to the location, for an example when dance is performed in front of a stage when the audience is seated at a lower elevation etc. .The dance performed in USA should not be the same to that in Colombo and it also differs when performed in Kurunegala which is a wise strategy of Channa.Dancers do not achieve seamless performances without careful and consistent practice – repeatedly. It may take them years before they develop the expertise to perform professionally. They must have the characteristic of steadfastness to keep rehearsing their moves and routines until they are perfect – with the ability to learn quickly and retain information. A “can do” attitude is the only one that ensures dancers to succeed at their craft. They cannot give up until they achieve the goals of their choreographer, then must persist in learning the next step or routine for their next audition. In the context of the above Channa had affirmed that to be a dancer though it looks easy it is not easy at all. There are so many factors, one has to align one’s body, need to become flexible, power to stretch having to perform so many exercises which are different from other usual exercises as hip hop is different, also ballet which is a touch needing to sacrifice a lot. It needs to be emphasised that Kandyan dance , Kandyan exercises are very different also with regard to intake of food too, one has to sacrifice.
Channa praised reminiscing Srimath Vajira Aunty who taught Channa the basics of “Thei Thei’ at a television dialog. In the Nala Kumari ballet “Nala Damayanthi portrayal of the ‘Swan’ interpretation was made so stunningly such that Channa paying a tribute to her added no one could ever imitate her as it was just truly ‘amazing’ which after so long he could still visualise from memory. Channa says her dance will be etched in his mind for ever.Nala King then was Wimal Nayannanda, while for ‘Kali’ character ,it was Chitrasena The duo danced to the tune of “Eththa Kandukara Himawu Arane” song of WD Amaradeva so immaculately. Channa added he is sorry that the current generation are not appreciating such performances, but should be given an opportunity by our media. Later, it was Channa who was the Nala Kumaraya opposite Upeka the ‘Nala Damayanthi’ while Kali was invariably Ravibandu, the duration of the ballet was approximately two hours. It is learnt that Channa and his close associate Ravibandu used to inter change the roles. Thereafter Channa had performed many other characters in many ballets.
Guru Chitrasena having observed the talents of Channa had been overwhelmed and simply stunned over his traits having held him in high esteem after viewing the ballet “Sirisangabo” initially garlanded him instead of other veterans, had asked where he lived which he had remembered had requested Upuli on returning home to jot down while she was asleep.Upuli had found a piece of chalk had inscribed the number 18A….on the wall in the dwelling .Having acted in ‘Sirisangabo’ ballet his portrayal had been held in high esteem by guru Chitrasena had requested to come and teach in his school. The ballet ‘Sirisangabo’ has had a tour of China, Bangkok and Hong Kong. At the airport there had been many senior artistes like Lakmini Gunasekera,Chandrani Gunawardena,Vijaya Nandasiri, WD Amaradeva, Nissanka Diddeniya,AJ Ranasinghe his wife when guru Panibharatha had requested despite the seniors for Channa to look after Upuli while on tour.In the plane Channa had looked at Upuli ,she had asked why?, this Channa reminisces even to date. He had quipped as he was asked to look after you by your father.Her roommate had been one Nimalka who had known Channa well.There Channa had inquired whether she had meals and was used to directing her to the class where lessons were conducted. Thereafter Panibhahatha had got the duo to dance to his music and melodies initially to solos , then for duets. The wedding took place at the Galle Face hotel in Colombo. Channa very well recollects as the couple alighted from the poruwa very appropriately musician Harsha Makalanda from the grand piano in the hotel had played the ‘Gajadadana’ tune to the delight of the entire audience including the bridegroom Channa. It is now over three decades in matrimony ,Channa upholds that if he was fruitful in his trade 60 % of the success story should befall on Upuli for the unstinted efforts contributed to this gigantic triumph .Channa begins training with exercises for one and a half hours to enhance flexibility. What the students are taught are all Channa’s creatives not copied from anywhere.On tours Channa addresses meetings daily in the mornings as behaviour is vital for all in the crew. He likes to be said Aseka is Channa’s daughter rather than saying Aseka’s father is Channa.
Channa had added that he his dance troupe had won many dance competitions overseas triumphantly. In one triumph in USA 90 dance troupes from several nations like India, USA ,Russia had participated ,in all one hundred and seventy nine styles, about five thousand dancers.All participants had taken the competition seriously with varied styles.The duration for each group was for just ninety minutes an extremely competitive context.There had been twelve competent adjudicators with a huge knowledgeable audience. Channa’s ‘Channa Upuli Dance troupe’ with only ten participants was adjudicated as the winner eclipsing all the other dance troupes.This triumph Channa holds in high esteem. Channa recently participated in a popular SLRC program where he had to select songs, the first one was “Danno Budunge Sri Dharmas Kanda” a Buddhist song which he plays in all concerts at the beginning make the audiences feel relaxed as they listen with pin drop silence.He also selected maestro WD Amaradewa song “ Anothaththa Vila”, a duet of WD Amaradewa and Amitha Wedisinghe an all-time hit to which a dance was depicted by his daughter Aseka and two other girls. The choreography of this particular song has been remade by Aseka which she has with other girls displayed at concerts. Channa added that the female party gets the feeling of the dialogue before the male party gets which was amply demonstrated by the trio .Channa to date had been in this craft of dancing for forty eight years since he was fourteen years old.Channa loves to make new creations had affirmed he used to challenge himself at all times to produce more innovative creations . Channa never likes to video a dance and copy which many do, unlike other dancing groups Channa changes patterns, costumes to huge dimension as any ‘dance’ he believes and is should be to the heart and not to eyes which is unquestionably for a brief moment.
At a show in Los Angeles long ago prior to the show when the make ups, sound balancing and stage preparations are been done, as a practice the sound director needs to know the type of music that is to be in the background in order for him prepare the sounds balancing. The sound director was the collaborator of famous sound director Phil Collins, singer and drummer. When he asked for a song Channa had offered ”Sanda Pini Diye” .the music, lyrics and vocals were all of Rookantha Gunatilleke. His original music contains the sound of a western part, an oriental dholak and saxophone parts. On hearing the song which was followed by Chandralekha’s ‘Kohedo Kohedo” had amazed Phil Collins’ assistant collaborator had asked whether it was an Indian singer etc. With this music song the sound operator appointed was amazed holding our music in high esteem. This had made Channa and crew incredibly happy as our music had been only after admired to unprecedented lofty elevations which was not the case on earlier occasions as Sri Lankans were not cared much held in low admiration. Channa recollects Rookantha making a plea to him to refrain from using his “Sanda Pini Diye” song at concerts where Rookantha too particpates.
Channa do get negative comments but much more positive comments ,had affirmed that he is open to negative comments. They make me think because you’ll get a negative comment only because you do something erroneous. “It is like in a rugby game if you have the rugger ball you are going to get tackled, and if you don’t want to be tackled you just can pass it on to someone else. Positive comments are good, they are delightful. It gives you a smile; to make you feel good makes you feel very excited to do more work because you have a positive comment coming behind “ quipped Channa. Channa’s shadow is of course Upuli for over two decades. To Channa as She is into the traditional line and she is a fantastic critic. He always shows the dance or the creative part after completing creation. if she says this is right or this is wrong, she is spot on Channa affirms. The duo do get into disputes to sort out it but then the two realise to correct it not taking mush time.During a dialogue it was uttered that we do give adequate attention to talent in school level. To a specific extent, we give attention, but they are more centred on the exams. Well, dance is something you need for your body as one’s body needs movement, what body needs is correct movement. Normally in school, they start dancing from Grade 4 but Channa thinks it should start from kindergarten. Because movements come and you start exploring from an incredibly young age. So, more value and attention have to come to dance, right now they do but they must do more. Channa starts training young students from four and a half years to five years which is the ideal time to commence teaching.
Channa’s day begins with focus on his work on the previous day, commence with daily exercises at dawn then jotting on things that are scheduled then commence training the dancers starting around 10.30 am until around 3 pm. Thereafter consumes some lunch a small nap ,surf the internet, bit of reading then to television.The Covid-19 related pandemic lockdown period had helped him to start finding himself had helped immensely to teach his students and everyone to find themselves because there was so much time. They started living with themselves, having homemade food, doing everything at home, planting trees and everything became very Sri Lankan with local products started coming out Channa had even started choreographing in diverse ways because it was done practically.Channa has a high concern for the word ‘respect’ simply the respect for each other is crucial, when one does not respect others he does not get respect too. Channa’s philosophy is to respect your art, home,school, country , city etc. Then the world would be a better place .Channa’s favourite destination is Europe as there are so many countries around. Where he enjoys watching paintings, sculptures many other beautiful places like Venice.Channa loves Indian and Japan to as his next preferred favourite country..
When Channa toured overseas initially he had affirmed that there had been no Sri Lanka shown in the world map.He had then drawn Sri Lanka on the map.But Later on it became well known particularly after the ICC cricket world cup win in year 1996.Channa regretted that though the first world’s female Prime Minster was a Sri Lankan also the first Miss World was a Sri Lankan still we were not recognised then. However Channa had visited almost all overseas countries barring South Africa.He had made hundreds of tours with the Channa Upuli dance troupe.Had toured constantly to Japan twice a year until the sequence was interrupted with Covid-19 related epidemic with lockdowns and travel restrictions. In a television dialog Channa affirmed that his current passport is his 18thwhich is ample testimony for his countless overseas tours. Channa and Upuli had danced together on many platforms .Though both had loved each other had not expressed to each other. Before pronouncing the love to each other the audiences and fans had made a story about the duo Channa Upuli which had spread like wild fire that the duo are lovers.This had got father guru Chitrasena to know as well who was reluctant to ask her. But one day at home in front of some close friends one relative had asked Upuli who had said yes had not disclosed as father was very strict. The marriage had taken place on the 21st June 1991 at the Galle Face hotel. Earlier once she had told she ‘loved to dance but not to marry’. During the peak of their love affair the trio Channa, Upuli and her sister has gone to Japan to participate in a contracted dance concert for three months, but it had got extended for a further three months when the wedding had to be further postponed much to the dire concern of the duo.
Aseka the only daughter of the duo born on 21st November 1992 possess a very rooted heritage , has inherited dancing affiliations from grandparents guru Chithrasena ,Srimath Vajira, Channa and Upuli in addition she is a competent painter, she was brought up with the grandparents as the parent duo was at the peak having to tour overseas very often.Asheka has had her education at Ladies College had achieved accomplishments in dancing much more than expected had lived up to the expectations of Channa and Upuli. Channa believes Aseka could do even better.She is not a soft and crushable person possess a robust mind of her own. It has been confessed that when Aseka was young the parents were criticized for her conduct and actions. Aseka is not Upuli or Channa but a completely different individual particularly from the beginning of the decade of 2000 when she was growing. The path according to Channa she has to find whether proper or incorrect .Aseka had performed admirably to many audiences at Sydney Opera House, Kennady centre in Washington ,Miller theatre in Houston and at many other venues in Japan like Tokyo, Stockholm, Berlin etc. Aseka had commenced learning traditional Sri Lankan dancing at the age of eight years, also acting on stage having studied western classical ballet under competent Deanna Jayasuriya.She is also a choreographer having choreographed many dance routines including her own. She focusses on beauty and femininity in her postures, expressions and movements .Loves the Indian dances especially the journey as they are feminine and liquefied. She is also a fan of Tai dances loving their costumes. Aseka a firm believer that one should move with the times. Always encourages Fusion dance as in a unified merger of the Orient and the Western with that of the old and new.Aseka’s impressive list of achievements include the Wild Peace Ambassador title awarded by the Governing Council of World Peace and Diplomacy Organization in 2017,Performing in the Prince of Wales and fifty heads of states at the Commonwealth heads of government Meeting in Sri Lanka (CHOGM) in year 2013; Represented Sri Lanka when it won the first place amongst ninety eight countries at the carnival of cultures in Berlin,Germany in 2012;Performing at the ICC Cricket World cup opening ceremony in 2011;Achieving first place at the International Lions Convention in Denver ,USA in 2003:Rising Star of the year award at the Business World International Conference and Award ceremony, USA. She had also performed at many prominent venues and occasions, such as South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC) summit; UNESCO theatre, Paris, Kennedy Centre, Washington DC;World Bank, Washington DC; Miller Outdoor Theatre, Houston; Sai Baba Ashram; Bengaralu; India International Films Awards (IIFA),Sydney Opera House among others. Aseka tied the nuptial knot recently with legendary Gamini Fonseka’s nephew ( elder daughter Chamila ) Janik Jayasuriya a young millionaire entreprenuer. Asheka had wished for a bridegroom who will love her to unparalleled altitudes, Janik is the one found to her fervent wish.
Channa reminisces two incidents involving daughter Aseka.Once the ICC when based in India prior to the ICC cricket World Cup 2011 they had been searching for a female dancer for the opening ceremony as the selected ‘Jackie’ had been too busy who could not give dates to attend rehearsals. On request of the ICC related officials Channa accompanied with Upuli and Aseka had attended a meeting of the ICC in India on appointment, taking the Channa Upuli dance foundation album. While talking the ICC executive officer seen the dance photograph of Aseka had picked her unanimously sans knowing she was Channa’s daughter. Had voiced why Jackie we will deploy this girl. This opportunity Channa firmly believes was Aseka’s break.This was an opportunity how Aseka received to dance at the opening ceremony of the ICC cricket world cup 2011. Although Channa had danced with so many girls in duets he had not got the opportunity to dance with Asheka until lately to choreograph for the famous song ‘Piya Bole” at a show at the BMICH..To both Channa and Aseka it was very foreign, the former was anxious whether Aseka would feel nervous had conveyed to Aseka you are duetting with father..But this unique historic occasion was navigated successfully by the father daughter duo. At the end it was Aseka who got more applause afterwards from the back stage. It need to be emphasized that Aseka had been a pupil of the Channa Upuli dance academy from her young days.Aseka had been just like any other student mixing with other students as she was also an ordinary student. This situation is rather rare has to be applauded to unprecedented tall elevations.
Channa had professed he had learnt a lot from his close associates Samitha Hewavasam,Ravibandu,Nihal Mendis,Nalin de Silva along with guru Chitrasena, Vajira, Upeka ,Anjaleeka. But he believes not learnt enough from them, but has added he is still learning. Later on, he had got to learn the stage requirements after commencing his own creations during that tenure he had learnt the sound mixture balancing tasks, decibel, lighting panel, about lights to get the 3D feeling, rear lights etc. These Channa had been possible to master sans any obstacle owing to his wide knowledge in Physics. Channa’s thinking is always out of the box, a god’s gift to native Sri Lanka.In real life Channa is a very emotional person who is always tensed after undertaking a task as he is constantly in doubt whether he will be able to navigate over the task. Channa is conceivably a jack of many trades is very handy person at home able to hurdle over any constraint like an electric failure, water leak is also a person who likes to change the layout of his dwelling with quick impulses.
Channa and Upuli have won many awards both locally and internationally for their choreography manoeuvres’ Japanese government bestowed to Channa the preliminary Bunka honorary award for “Performing Arts.” In year 2005 President of Sri Lanka awarded to Channa the highest honorary award “Kala Suri”. There is little doubt that for many decades it has been the dancing crew of the Channa Upuli Dance Aacademy that is the sought after for any concert, wedding. Awards ceremony, Ridee Rekha, VIP functions or any other events. In ten successive Ridee Rekha concerts Channa had directed all the dances uninterruptedly. Channa for his competency in the field has been appointed an invigilator at a reality dance competition for which Channa finds time as he is spot on for his comments. Channa is still searching who he is ,challenging himself daily. All his fans would wish him good health and long life having just become a sexagenarian. Channa’s artistic passion ultimately is all about propagating Sri Lanka’s lavish cultural heritage as a true Sri Lankan.
Sunil Thenabadu
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