Chitrasena Dance Company

Chitrasena Dance Company The Chitrasena Dance Company is Sri Lanka’s oldest and most prestigious dance company. Established i

Established in the 1940s by Guru Chitrasena, who was instrumental in bringing Sri Lanka’s traditional dances from the village rituals to the modern stage, the Dance Company became his vehicle of expression both in traditional dance forms and contemporary dance, which set the standards and transformed dance theatre in Sri Lanka. Today, his dance school and Company led by wife Vajira and daughter Up

eka have nurtured his legacy with deep love and respect. Reputed for being the pioneers and revolutionists in the dance sphere in Sri Lanka – they continue to experiment without compromise and use traditional dance language and form to create cutting-edge contemporary dance theatre.

PRĀNA: Sharing of a Dance Tradition The PRĀNA Summer Programme brings together a diverse range of experiences across dan...
10/08/2026

PRĀNA: Sharing of a Dance Tradition

The PRĀNA Summer Programme brings together a diverse range of experiences across dance, movement, music, drumming, acting, costumes and creative expression.

Over seven days, participants will have the opportunity to explore different aspects of performance and the creative traditions that surround it, through practical workshops, movement sessions, discussions and hands-on learning with experienced practitioners.

Dates: 16th – 22nd August 2026
Venue: Chitrasena School of Dance

Full Course | Half Course | Stand-Alone Sessions

Swipe through the detailed programme schedule and discover the sessions waiting for you at PRĀNA.

Applications are now OPEN for PRĀNA: Sharing of a Dance Tradition.Join us for a unique week of learning, movement, story...
05/08/2026

Applications are now OPEN for PRĀNA: Sharing of a Dance Tradition.

Join us for a unique week of learning, movement, storytelling and cultural exploration at the Chitrasena School of Dance from 16th–22nd August.

Whether you're interested in the Full Course (12 sessions), Half Course (6 sessions) or Stand-Alone Sessions, PRĀNA offers an opportunity to engage with Sri Lanka's rich dance traditions through workshops, discussions and practical experiences led by renowned artists and practitioners.

Applications close on 12th August, so don't miss your chance to be part of this special programme.

Register now using the Google Form below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0axUmJTYiOdftiaTW8uaTa8DaQb8dfzPW3qpjO84j9MkonQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor]

We look forward to welcoming you to PRĀNA.

Applications are now OPEN for PRĀNA: Sharing of a Dance Tradition.Join us for a unique week of learning, movement, story...
05/08/2026

Applications are now OPEN for PRĀNA: Sharing of a Dance Tradition.

Join us for a unique week of learning, movement, storytelling and cultural exploration at the Chitrasena School of Dance from 16th–22nd August.

Whether you're interested in the Full Course (12 sessions), Half Course (6 sessions) or Stand-Alone Sessions, PRĀNA offers an opportunity to engage with Sri Lanka's rich dance traditions through workshops, discussions and practical experiences led by renowned artists and practitioners.

Applications close on 12th August, so don't miss your chance to be part of this special programme.

Register now using the Google Form below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0axUmJTYiOdftiaTW8uaTa8DaQb8dfzPW3qpjO84j9MkonQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor]

We look forward to welcoming you to PRĀNA.

KandyanDance PerformingArts TraditionalArts DanceEducation SriLanka

SAVE THE DATE | PRĀNA: Sharing of a Dance TraditionThis August, the Chitrasena Kalayathanaya presents PRĀNA: Sharing of ...
19/07/2026

SAVE THE DATE | PRĀNA:
Sharing of a Dance Tradition

This August, the Chitrasena Kalayathanaya presents PRĀNA: Sharing of a Dance Tradition. Our first-ever Summer Programme, bringing together history, movement, self-awareness and traditional Sri Lankan dance in an immersive week of learning.

🗓️ 16–22 August
📍 Chitrasena School of Dance

The programme consists of three interconnected parts:

*Stories in Dance*
Discover the rich heritage of Sri Lankan dance theatre through stories, experiences and traditions shared by the masters who have carried it forward.

*Movement & Self-Awareness*
The practice of strength, balance and control through mindful movement, developing a deeper connection between body and mind.

*Dance Techniques*
Introduction to traditional Sri Lankan dance for stage.

Participants may join:
The Full Course (12 sessions)
Half Course (6 sessions)
Stand-Alone Sessions.

Programme lineup, session schedule and registration details will be announced soon. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates and be among the first to secure your place.

Today, we commemorate the 21st death anniversary of Guru Chitrasena.Though 21 years have passed since he left us, his vi...
18/07/2026

Today, we commemorate the 21st death anniversary of Guru Chitrasena.

Though 21 years have passed since he left us, his vision, spirit, and unwavering dedication continue to inspire generations of dancers and artists. As the pioneer who brought Sri Lankan traditional dance to the modern stage, Guru Chitrasena transformed our cultural heritage into a powerful artistic language that resonated across the world.

His legacy lives on through every performance, every student, and every dream nurtured at the Chitrasena Kalayathanaya.

Forever remembered. Forever inspiring.

Today, we commemorate the 21st death anniversary of Guru Chitrasena.Though 21 years have passed since he left us, his vi...
18/07/2026

Today, we commemorate the 21st death anniversary of Guru Chitrasena.

Though 21 years have passed since he left us, his vision, spirit, and unwavering dedication continue to inspire generations of dancers and artists. As the pioneer who brought Sri Lankan traditional dance to the modern stage, Guru Chitrasena transformed our cultural heritage into a powerful artistic language that resonated across the world.

His legacy lives on through every performance, every student, and every dream nurtured at the Chitrasena Kalayathanaya.

Forever remembered. Forever inspiring.

02/06/2026
Today we celebrate our Thaji ❤️Born into the rhythm of the Kalayathanaya, dance came to Thaji, we feel, as naturally as ...
23/05/2026

Today we celebrate our Thaji ❤️

Born into the rhythm of the Kalayathanaya, dance came to Thaji, we feel, as naturally as breathing. From the time she was little, she threw herself fully into this life — rehearsals, performances, touring, teaching, costumes, chaos, laughter, exhaustion, and all — not because anyone asked her to, but because she genuinely loved it.

As the third generation torchbearer of the Chitrasena legacy, Thaji carries forward a lifetime of knowledge, discipline, and instinct that can only come from someone who has truly lived this dance tradition within that philosophy every single day of her life.

Audiences in Sri Lanka and around the world have witnessed the rare artist she has become — a dancer of extraordinary power, beauty, precision, and emotional depth.

Today, Thaji stands not only as one of the finest embodiments of the Chitrasena technique, but also as the heartbeat of the Company and school itself.

We are so proud of her, deeply grateful for her, and very lucky to have her.

Happy Birthday Thaji ✨

Chitrasena Dance Company

Photograph by Arrenga Nadaraja

Address

590, Elvitigala Mawatha
Colombo
00500

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday 09:00 - 13:00

Telephone

+94112368902

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Chitrasena Dance Company posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Chitrasena Dance Company:

Shortcuts

Share

Category