News from the Manthinda Temple School

It’s time to report a bit about a particular activity at Manthinda Temple School. This boys’ school is situated on the same premises as Anura College where most of our scholarship students are schooling. Nearly five years ago, Neuwied-Matara-Friendship-Association donated a big music and dance room which can be used by both and where talented boys and girls can practice with their ambitious teachers. These dances are part of the long and impressive tradition in Sri Lanka. Of course, boys can play and enjoy cricket, for example, but a lot of them also enjoy the traditional dances which are a compulsory part of the syllabus.You can admire these dances and wonderful costumes at the occasion of celebrations, wedding ceremonies, school-parties and at temples, of course. They will impress you in Peraheras or other festivities. The most famous ones can be seen in Kandy in the well-known Temple of the Tooth, visited by lots and lots of tourists.

Two years ago, a generous donor of Neuwied-Matara-Friendship-Association paid for some wonderful new costumes that Manthinda dancers wear when performing their dances. There are many younger boys now, learning how to dance these traditional dances and striving to be as good as the older ones.

Usually, one or two drums are sufficient when practicing and help setting the rhythm and beat. The dancers must even sing by themselves and dance at the same time, which might be quite tiring. Here is a sample of a lesson at Anura dance and music room, performed by Manthinda students. You may imagine how nice they will look when wearing their costumes.