First Ever Kandyan & Bharata-natyam Dance Society in the UK wins Southampton Performing Arts Outstanding Society of the year!

The academic year 2014/15 has certainly been an eventful debut for Southampton University’s Kandyan and Bharata Natyam-Dance Society (SKBDS)!

Having only formed in September 2014, they have already gained significant recognition, by participating in a number of cultural and charitable events on the University’s calendar. These included the festivals hosted by the University’s India Society for Diwali and Holi, as well as the Asian Cutural Society’s flagship event ‘Dhamaal’, which showcases the University’s appreciation of Asian tradition and culture. In addition, the society performed for the Southampton AISEC foundation at their Global Village event and International Cultural Night, thus enabling the society to not only showcase the beauty of Kandyan and Bharata Natyam, but to also represent Sri Lankan and Indian students at the University. In addition, the society organised their first showcase ‘Thaala’, which will be the flagship event for the society in years to come. Together with all these accomplishments at the University, one main highlight for SKBDS this year was their inaugural performance at Southampton University’s annual sell-out charity dance showcase hosted by Performing Arts: Pure Dance, the proceeds of which were donated to the Survivor’s Trust. This, in addition to the society’s significant contribution to the University’s celebration of culture led to the society’s award for Outstanding Society of the Year; an achievement of which the society is extremely proud.

Moreover, SKBDS have begun to gain national recognition, having performed at the International Cultural night hosted by Queen Mary University, London in February 2015, representing Sri Lanka. In addition, the society had the exciting opportunity to perform at a Rotary Red Carpet film gala screening of ‘The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ hosted at the University of Southampton by Rotary International, in collaboration with Age UK. Several Wessex business, civic and community leaders as well as national figure were invited to this event, the funds of which were raised to enrich the lives of the elderly across the Hampshire and Dorset area.

It has certainly been a busy year for SKBDS, and next academic year will no doubt be just as exciting! Watch this space for more of SKBDS, who will be next performing at the Eastleigh Asian Welfare and Cultural Association’s Mela this July!

2014/15 Committee and performers: Dilini Seneviratne (President), Hasini Ranasinghe (Vice-President), Dilini Peiris (Secretary), Nethmee Abeywickrama (Treasurer), Shanujan Chandrarajah (IT and Marketing), Hasini Boraluwa, Naomi Keerthiratna and Saritha Choudhry (Dance Captains). Surendranie Cabral, Ameeta Kumar, Aneeta Kumar, Shahani Perera, Aashini Shah (Performers).

Special recognition: Asanka Roshan for music, Shanujan Chandrarajah for design materials and Dilini Seneviratne & Saritha Choudhry for choreography.