About Chandana
Chandana Wickramasinghe's artistic philosophy is rooted in the profound intersection of Sri Lankan heritage and global theatrical excellence. He believes that dance is a living archive of history, a medium through which cultural identity is preserved and reinterpreted for contemporary audiences. His vision is to elevate the performing arts to an international standard while maintaining the soul and authenticity of traditional Kandyan and Nava Nirthya forms.
Legacy Timeline
A cinematic chronicle of Sri Lanka's most internationally recognized dancer and cultural ambassador.
1973
Early Training
Chandana mastered traditional Sri Lankan dance through elite training. He began his journey at the legendary Chitrasena Dance Foundation under Guru Vajira Chitrasena. Later, he polished his artistry at his alma mater, Mahanama College, under the guidance of dance instructors Guru Soma Athaudaarachchi and Shrima Kumarasinghe.
1987
Ves Ceremony
He completed his formal dance training and performed his first traditional Ves Ceremony under the guidance of Guru Kulasiri Budawatta, marking the academic beginning of his journey. He honed his deep foundation in Sri Lankan traditional arts under the tutelage of respected Gurus: Priyasara Shilpadipathi, Kanthi Shilpadipathi, and Amaradasa Thalgahagoda.
1987-1995
Professional Dance Career
Chandana served as a professional and senior dancer with the Sama Foundation’s renowned Saama Mudra Ballet troupe, performing under the direction of Ravibandhu Vidyapathi and Professor Mudiyanse Dissanayake. During this period, he represented Sri Lanka on international stages across 17 countries, contributing to cultural diplomacy through traditional and contemporary dance. He performed in all major productions of Saama Mudra, one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated ballet works originally created by Channa Wijewardene. Chandana was also honoured to portray the iconic lead role of “Bambara and Yaka,” following a distinguished line of celebrated performers.
1996
Higher Studies
Chandana pursued advanced training at Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan, India, studying classical Indian dance forms including Kathakali and Manipuri. This enriched his understanding of South Asian dance traditions and refined his approach to choreography.
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1999
Dancers' Guild and School
The Chandana Wickramasinghe Dancers Guild and School of Dance was established. It developed into a network with seven branches, offering instruction in Kandyan dance, freestyle movement, and traditional drumming, preserving Sri Lankan performance traditions.
Present
Artistic Director
Serving as Artistic Director, leading creative direction for ballet productions and commercial events. As a Cultural Ambassador, he represents Sri Lankan performing arts on international platforms and promotes global appreciation of Sri Lanka’s dance heritage.
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