Ravi Bandu Vidyapathi a pupil of Chithrasena speaking to Sandeshaya says that his contribution mainly lies in two areas.

Chitrasena explored traditional folk dance

“Firstly he explored traditional Sinhala folk performance and used it as the foundation of a new form of theatre that was modern in character. Secondly he developed a tradition of Sri lankan ballet.”

Prominent film maker Tissa Abeysekara is in agreement with Vidyapathi.

Abeysekara explains that although Chithrasena pursued traditional dancing all his creations were immensely nurtured with modernity.

A fine blend

“He is among the great men who established a Sinhala identity in the sphere of culture such as Gunadasa Amarasekara,Martin Wickramasinha, Ediriweera Sarathchandra, George Keyt and Amaradeva.”

Reflecting on Chithrasena’s carrier that spans over five decades Abeysekara said that using dance and music he developed a strand of theatre that was stamped with local identity but still with a universal appeal.

Chitrasena’s contribution to the renaissance of art and culture was not without challenges. There were critics who questioned his blending tradition with modernity.

Abeysekara says that almost every one who tried to present something new in the field of art and culture were challenged.

Challenged

“This happened to every one who challenged tradition. it s happened to Sarathchandra and Sunil Shantha .There were people who were much more familiar with the western tradition and they tried to do what Chithrasena did with regard to ballet but they were no match to him.”

Chitrasena 'is one of the great men who established Sinhala identity'

Ravi Bandhu Vidiyapathi points out that Chithrasena was misunderstood by those who held the western tradition of theatre in high esteem as well as the traditionalist.

“The traditionalist thought that Chithrasena is distorting cultural heritage while the ones with a more modern out look could not understand what he was trying to achieve. How ever his creations were capable of proving that a delicate blend between modernity and tradition is possible without compromising artistic quality.”

Chithrasena first performed in a play produced by his father, the late Ebert Dias.

After learning classical dancing in India, he mastered Kandyan and low country dancing from distinguished local dance gurus.

Mastering the art

He established the Chithrasena dance school as early as 1944.

Chithrasena, and his wife Vajira and students including daughter Upeka have been on tour to many destinations across the globe.

He is among the great men who established a Sinhala identity in the sphere of culture such as Gunadasa Amarasekara,Martin Wickramasinha, Ediriweera Sarathchandra, George Keyt and Amaradeva   Tissa Abeysekara

Among these countries that have hosted Chithrasena and his group are Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Switzerland, Tasmania, and the former Soviet Union.

In recognition of his contribution to dance and theatre President Chandrika Kumaratunga awarded Chitrasena the Country’s highest civilian title, «Deshamanya,» in 1998.

He was 83 when he passed away. Chithrasena leaves behind his wife Vajira and daughters Upekha and Anjalike, and son Anudattha.