‘Maathra 11’: Spectacular Sri Lankan cultural dancing show

• Saturday 13 October at 3:02 p.m. and 5:58 p.m. at BMICH
• Don’t miss an experience of a lifetime

 ‘Maathra’ – the most creative, spell-binding performing arts event produced and performed by Lyceum International Schools is due to be held for the 11th consecutive year.

Over the last 25 years, Lyceum International Schools have continually expanded across the country, and are now established as the largest network of schools providing quality, affordable international/national school education, whilst instilling a love for Sri Lanka’s rich, cultural heritage in the young minds of its students.

In a society where academic excellence is highly valued and appreciated, Lyceum also gives recognition to students who display remarkable skills and abilities in athletics, sports and creative art forms such as music, stage drama and the performing arts as these skills are very rare. Through the introduction of various extra-curricular activities, students have always been encouraged to join one that they are passionate about in order to further develop and master these unique skills.

One of the most popular performing art forms that has been incorporated into Lyceum’s formal education is classic Sri Lankan cultural dancing, which displays the true beauty and elegance of our Sri Lankan culture. This type of dancing has not only earned unprecedented recognition both nationally and internationally, but is one that is enjoyed by all generations, regardless of their ethnic or religious background and must be preserved for future generations to come.

This resulted in the concept of ‘Maathra’, which was envisioned by their Founder, Mohan Lal Grero and administered by Kumari Grero in 2008, with the aim of preserving and showcasing the beauty of Sri Lanka’s rich, cultural heritage by instilling a love for traditional dancing in the young minds of our students. Over the last decade, Grero’s vision was realised as Lyceum students have brought to life the rituals and dances of our ancestors through highly refined, stunning performances, which are now in par with Sri Lanka’s National Inter-School cultural dancing standards. In January 2018, student artistes demonstrated their performance excellence by winning one of most prestigious international awards (First Place – World Best) at the International Cultural Dancing competition held in Russia.

The successful evolution of ‘Maathra’ was also purely due to the tireless efforts of Head of Cultural Dancing Rasika Kothalawala and his experienced group of teachers and students, who intricately choreograph and create a unique display of mesmerising traditional dances in all of their shows. Over the years, Kumari Grero the Chairperson and Coordinating Principal successfully administered and elevated the presented quality of the show. With nearly 500 performers from Lyceum International Schools in Nugegoda, Panadura, Wattala, Ratnapura, Gampaha and Nuwara-Eliya and Kurunegala. The dances created by Kothalawala and his team incorporate a fusion of up-country, southern, Sabaragamuwa and other dance forms related to Sri Lanka’s multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-lingual national culture.

Maathra’s success would also not have been possible without the appreciation and recognition received from Heads of State, Ministers and Diplomats as well as support received from prestigious sponsors, generous parents and well-wishers, who have always come forward to support this important national, cultural event in our school.

For this year’s Maathra, they are excited to put together a series of spell-binding performances to celebrate the last 11 years of its existence and hope it will be enjoyed by all!