“Mal Yahan Nateema”
These photos were taken at the dewolmaduwa that held at Ambalangoda in December 2010.Dewol madu are very beautiful cultural and traditional events that are very sacred to Sri Lankans. These events mostly held in southern province, and also in western province.At the beginning of “Dewol maduwa” theres a dance called “Mal Yahan Nateema”. This dance is to invite the gods to the altar that made by banana trees using traditional arts and that altar is called as “Mal Yahana”. The gods are vary between two traditions called “Benthara” and “Mathara”. In “Benthara” tradition “Mal Yahan Nateema” is for four gods called “Natha, Wishnu, Katharagama & Paththini” and mainly for god “Natha”But in “Mathara” tradition “Mal Yahan Nateema” is for god “Suuniyam”.The lines sang by dancers during this dance is to praise the gods.
“Thelme Dance”
“Thelme” this word express the idea “The oil serve” in sinhala. This dancers are dancing with oil cones, thats why its called as Thelme. They are dancing for Dolos deviyan (twelve gods). Dancers shows their talents during this dance and it will be a fascinating moment when they begin to reach their maximum. Photos below shows how a dancer gets ready for the event and some shots during the dance.
“Handa Samayama”
This is an interesting dancing event that called “Handa Samayama” at Dewol maduwa. This dance is for five evils called “Bali kaama, Bili Kaama, Honthu Kaama, Pulutu Kaama and Rathi kaama” Handa samayama and its praying are to satisfy these evils and to send them back, This dance is specially for the evil called “Rathi Kaama” and to others there are some prayings and rituals during this dance.
“Wahala Nateema”
This is the most adventurous, dangerous and the exciting part of Dewol Maduwa. This dance is to satisfy the god called “Mangara”, This dancer is dancing nearly 1 hour in trance, there are few people to protect him while dancing because he is in trance and hi is stark. At the end he throw resin everywhere to drive away the evil spirits.
If you wish to visit a “Dewol maduwa” remember to take care of yourself from resin at the end of this event, because the dancer is in trance.
