WANNAM DANCING

ART APPRECIATION/DC3013/LEVEL III

GROUP MEMBERS

DANTHANARAYANA JK 162205F

DISSANAYAKE SD 162210P

JAYARATHNA JUS 162215K

KAWINDA KHAD 162220V

PIERIS WGHC 162224L

RODRIGO WTM 162231F

CONTENT
1. Introduction
2. Common characteristics
3. Types of Wannam
4. Udarata Wannam
History
18 Wannam
Structure
5. Low country Wannam
6. Sabaragamu Wannam
7. Anuradapura Wannam
8. Tamil Wannam
9. Modern Wannam
10.Conclution
11. Resources
INTRODUCTION
Sri Lanka has a rich culture, which contains native dancing, music and paintings. Dancing is
divided as Udarata, Pahatharata and Sabaragamu. From these, Udarata dancing is very iconic
and has a unique style. It is traditionally established in the upcountry and one of the most
popular traditions of Sinhala dance.
Wannam is a part of Udarata, Pahatharata and Sabararagamu dancing traditions, and plays a
major role in the Sri Lankan culture. It is unique and identical.
This research is about the history, basic characteristics and the value of this traditional Wannam
dancing.
What is “Wannam?”
The word “Wannam” means admiring in Sinhala. It describes the nature and qualities of a living
or nonliving thing. At the beginning, they were only poems that were sung. Dancing was added
later as a development.
Some people say that word “Wannam” has broken from the word Warnam in Barata Natyam,
and follows that tradition. But it is clear that there is no any connection between two traditions.
Wannam are based on singing and dancing in all three main traditional dancing methods in Sri
Lanka. They are inspired by the descriptions on animals, gods, historical incidents or nonliving
objects. Sometimes it was an exaggerating description.
COMMOMN CHARACTERISTICS OF WANNAM

 It is a dancing tradition that is away from the healing rituals.

 Using poetry as medium.
 It is an exaggerating description of the plot.
 Mixing singing with dancing
 Based on rhythm
 At the end of the each Wannma, a specific verse related to its rhythm will be danced.
 A part called Thaanama is included before the poems
TYPES OF WANNAM
1. Udarata wannam
2. Sabaragamu Wannam
3. Pahatarata Wannam (Sindu Wannam)
4. Anuradapura 21 Wannam
5. Tamil Wannam
Udarata Wannam
HISTORY
It is believed that Upcountry Wannam were written in the era of king Sri Weera
Parakrama Narendrasinghe in Kandy. The author is unknown.
In his book,”Nruthya Ratnakaraya” Mr. JE Sedaraman says that Wannam were
written by a Brahmana called Ganithalankara in Nagapattam, in South India. In
the book,’Ape Perani Wannam’ Rev. Gnanawimala thero mentions that for the
need of queen Kudamali, Ganithalankara wrote a book named ‘Nettimalaya’. It
inspired the book, ‘Waadankusaratnamalaya’. Wannam were written by following
the above book.
In the old book Nawi Andaraya, that is believed as written by Daskon, it is
mentioned that, Wannam were only sung at the royal Kawikara Maduwa.
But, when we consider about their language, we can see a huge differences
among them. In the lyrics of Gajaga, Asadrusha and Wairodi, a classical language
has used and at the same time, in Hanuma, Musaladi and Singheraja they use a
common and a rural language. Some people say that they were written by
Rammolaka Adikaram, but the above evidence proves that they are not creations
of the same author.
Dancing was added later and it made Wannam a very popular and a powerful art
medium even among common people.
18 WANNAM
1. Gahaka
Sakra’s praise is the magnificent mangala tune. The tone is spreading over the
air. A discerning flavor.
2. Gajaga
A parable of royal hippophaan king, a paradise and the sound of rituals are
praised. A discerning flavor.
3. Thuranga
From the lanterns of the prices of Gautama, they are praised and rejoiced in
the stories of temple. The flavor of the dream is. The tale shows how the horse’s
travel.
4. Uragaa
The Naga’s journey and qualities are revealed. Weird flavor.
5. Musaladi
A sullen rabbit posture is expressed during the irasis . Mildew.
6. Ukusaa
The spectacle is shown when a hawk flying. Weird flavor.
7. Wairodi
Ishwara god and the bosom is a controversial parable. A discerning favor.
8. Hanuma
The way of the monkeys, ridiculous, etc. are expressed. Bliss and humor.
9. Sawla
The birth of the rooster is described in terms of the characteristics of the
rooster in the Kataragama flag. Discerning flavor.
 10. Singheraja
A famous king of Sinhalese who was killed in a well who was hit by a tortoise.
Skinny taste.
11. Nainadi
Describes the Bhakti Naga Raja. There is no seal in the style of Naga dance
style. Karna flavor.
12 .Kirala
Shows the cock’s eagerness and dance style
13. Iradi
Describes the personality of a warrior. Weird flavor.
14. Suarapati
A misery is lost and the maimed Iswara is decribed.
15. Ganapati
The genius is praised for god’s widom and spirit. A discerning flavor.
16. Udaara
Parable of King Vibhusitha,s praise is praised
17. Mayura
God’s vehicle peacock is prominent in performance.
18. Asadrusa
It is unique and awesome. This is the highest thesis for the 18th generation. It
was written in the Kandyan era.
STRUCTURE OF UDARATA WANNAM
1. The drum beat 2. Thaanama 3. Poem 4. Kastirama 5. Sirumaruwa 6.
Adawwa
Low country Wannam

HISTORY
Named also as Sindu Wannam. The lyrics can be changed according to the
teachers and traditional dancing families. Author is unknown. Some believe that
they were written by King Pndita Parakramabahu in Dambadeni era. The rhythm
and the language style prove that they can be creations of common people. This
style was used among poet, after the writing of Elu Sadas Lakuna book in that era.
In his book Dahaata Wanam, C.De S Kulatilake says that they were written by a
blind Brahmana, with the respect to god Vishnu in Dewundara. It is believed that
they were firstly sung in front of god Upulwan. The lyrics show the characteristics
of both Dambadeni and Kotte eras.
CHARACTERISTICS
Using the same style in all Wannam.
Using same simmilies
Each verse begins with the final letter of the previous verse
STRUCTURE
Each one has a unique rhythm.
Verse of beginning
Thaanama
Poem ( start dancing)
Irattiya
32 SINDU WANNAM
1. Sudda thale 2. Head Kamala taale 3. Minibamba taale 4. Kondanaachchi
5.Vishnu taale 6. Upakari taale 7. Grahadanda taale 8. Naala rasa taale
9. lalitaraaga taale 10. Nalu geethika taale. 11. Swara taale 12. Bamba taale
13. Sondawedi taale. 14. Gragadanda taale 15. Anuraga danda taale 16. Nalu
geetika taale 17. Anuraga taale 18. Grahakaara taale

Sabaragamu Wannam
HISTORY
Information about these Wannam are very rare. There are lots of ideas about the
number of them.
Some believe that they are as old as the Saman Dewala in Rantnapura. Folks
stories say that in Dewala perahara, only Sabaragamu dancing was used.
It is believed that they were written after the Dambadeni Era. Some of them are
included in a book called ‘wadankusa ratnamalaya’ in Dambadeni era. In the book
of Rev. Kirielle Gnanawimala thero, there are 32 Sabaragamu Wannam of H.P
Mahawelatenna.
The oldest resource is a book edited by Klawne Karmalankara Mudali, in 1864. He
mentions about 5 Sabaragamu Wannam. They had been sung in the perahera
ceremony of Deawala. Later it has been edited into 36.
It is said that a minster of King Pandita Parakramabahu, Aryakata Deva invited to
write Sabaragamu Wannam in Dambadeni era.
CHARACTERISTICS
Though they have used animal names to name them, something else is described
in lyrics
STRUCTURE
1. Dawul pada 2. First verse with taanama 3. Alankara pada 4. Mul padaya
 5.taanama and Alankara pada 6. Kaalasam adawwa
Anuradapura Wannam
1. Gahaka
2. Madiya
3. Uraga
4. Musika
5. Gajaga
6. Girawa
7. Hanuma
8. Kirala
9. Ishwara
10.Watuwa
11. Singheraja
12.Turanga
Tamil Wannam
It said that in 17th century few Wannam were written praise King Ananda
Kawichara in South India.
1. Paa
2. Naa
3. Wallisey
4. Kurunsan
5. Chitra
6. Nalapu
7. Ennu
8. Akaipu
9. Kungal
Modern Wannam
Hansa – describes swan
Samanala – describes butterfly
Maha bo – decribes Sri Maha Bodi.
CONCLUTION
As wannam origine is not clear, we can understand that it is as old as the Buddhist
civilization in the country. It is a traditional art that resembled the thinking, life
style and their knowledge.

Resources
https://www.myschool.lk/%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%B4%E0%
https://sackictprimary.blogspot.com/2012/05/18.html
www.wikipedia.com
https://www.facebook.com/notes/%E0%B6%9A