Abstract:
The rituals used in Sinhalese culture
namely bali, thovil, and madu can be
characterized by three Sri Lankan regional
dance traditions, Upcountry, Low country, and
Sabaragamuwa. The aim of this research is to
explore and comparatively analyze the
influence of the Indian classic Natyashastra of
Bharatmuni on the Pahan Madu ritual practiced
in the cities of Kalawana, Ratnapura,
Balangoda, and Badulla of Sri Lanka.
Ethnographic research using pictures, audio video recordings, interviews, observations, and
field notes for collecting data has been used.
Elements of a comparative case study were
used for data analysis. This study identified that
the Sri Lankan Sabaragamu Pahan Madu
curative ritual has several similar
characteristics to Nruththa, Nruthya, and
Naatya of Natyashastra written by the Indian
theatrologist and musicologist Bharatamuni
during the first century. The preparations of
Pahan Madu performance arena apply similar
prerequisites to the theatre mentioned by
Bharatamuni in the Natyashastra. The four
main parts of abhinaya presented in
Natyashastra are also depicted by the actors
performing in the Pahan Madu ritual. Even
Hough the Pahan Madu ritual demonstrates the
influences of Bharatamuni’s Natyashastra,
some of its characteristics have been replaced
because of the influence of the Buddhist
culture.
