Arts and crafts provide invaluable cottage industries, especially around Kandy. Different villages in Kandy specialize in specific artistic skills that have passed between generations: drum-making is done in Kurugala, mat-weaving in Dumbara and wood-carving and the production of brass- and silverware can be seen at Gadaladeniya. Objects made from cane and reed are produced in the hamlet of Wewaldeniya, which can be visited en route to Kandy – the roadside is lined with small shops selling baskets, furniture and other household items. Purchasing at source from these villages brings vital income and preserves these ancient crafts.
As well as being a hub for Sri Lankan arts and crafts, Kandy is also one of the hotspots for traditional dance in Sri Lanka, which dates back to the 4th century BC when dance was used in rituals and ceremonies to expel sickness and misfortunes or bestow blessings. Several dance forms evolved in each region, but Kandyan dancing is the most iconic.
Go to a Kandyan dance show and see this energetic and exciting dance form and the traditional Kandyan drumming that accompanies it: watch women depicting the graceful movements of birds and animals; see the men spiralling and flipping through the air, bedecked in elaborate costumes and jangling jewellery; marvel at the plate-spinner balancing and juggling his props, and don’t miss the gripping ‘fire-walk’ finale.
Play a Sri Lankan drum
Kandy
Sri Lanka resonates to the sound of drumming, and with the help of Red Dot, a teacher from a long line of professional drummers can reveal the basics of how to play as well as understand the history and importance of drums in Sri Lanka.
Duration: 3 hours
Best time: Year-round
Kandy Perahera
Kandy
A `Perehara’ is a cultural procession, an ancient historic ritual where tradition, religion, and the arts all come together. The annual Kandy Perahera is an astonishing spectacle.
Duration: 2 hours
Best time: July / August
