Indika Ferdinando | University of the Visual and Performing Arts (original) (raw)
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Papers by Indika Ferdinando
SAARC Research Journal, 2022
In this paper, I attempt to explore how researchers have interpreted the theatrical significance ... more In this paper, I attempt to explore how researchers have interpreted the theatrical significance of Sinhalese healing rituals Gammaduwa and Sanni Yakuma by reviewing their research and their practical applications. Secondly, I endeavour to identify the causes behind how they overlooked the multi-sensorial elements and applications in the rituals. Then, I extend my views on how socio-politically advantageous it would have been if they identified especially the sensorial potency of the rituals and applied them in practice.
Vidyawarta - International Research Journal, 2022
This research paper explores the dialectical features of repetition occurring in dance-music comp... more This research paper explores the dialectical features of repetition occurring in dance-music components in the Sinhalese communal healing rituals Gammaduwa and Sanni Yakuma, and how they contribute to creating an immersive experience. I consider these two co-dependent and co-stimulating stimuli, dance-music, as a single performative component as their potency in producing immersivity is a duo/mutual achievement.
For this inquiry, I employed the data I gathered for years by participating in a number of ritual performances of Gammaduwa and Sanni Yakuma. I have documented my experience with the rituals through reflective writing and also more data was collected by interviewing people who attended the rituals and ritual practitioners/performers who contributed to materialise the above performances. So in this research both autoethnographic and ethnographic data collected through emic and etic approaches were put into service to address the research question. Further, theoretical concepts from dance studies, neuroscience and Buddhist philosophy of perception were incorporated as analytical tools.
Printing Area - International Interdisciplinary Research Journal, 2022
In this paper, I explore the cultural-specific sensory application of two Sinhalese communal (hea... more In this paper, I explore the cultural-specific sensory application of two Sinhalese communal (healing) rituals Gammaduwa and Sanni Yakuma and its significance as a method of crafting aesthetic experience. When viewed through a functionalist perspective, these rituals were inherent and imperative parts of the pre-modern Sinhalese Buddhist social organisation as they were socio-religious events and believed to have psychophysical and ensemble therapeutic effect. They still seem to have an ideological command over Sinhalese Buddhist communities regardless of urban-rural dichotomy. However, the reason for this study is not their potential ideological influence but the performative impactfulness which I have experienced repeatedly for many years.
This research explores ways in which the praxis of contemporary Sinhalese theatre can be extended... more This research explores ways in which the praxis of contemporary Sinhalese theatre can be extended and deepened by the transposition of multisensorial performative elements and applications of the two Sinhalese rituals, Gammaduwa and Sanni Yakuma into contemporary theatre practice of Sri Lanka. In doing so, it aims to address the alienation between theatre and regional audiences, and also to address significant issues of alienation from current political developments in the country.
SAARC Research Journal, 2022
In this paper, I attempt to explore how researchers have interpreted the theatrical significance ... more In this paper, I attempt to explore how researchers have interpreted the theatrical significance of Sinhalese healing rituals Gammaduwa and Sanni Yakuma by reviewing their research and their practical applications. Secondly, I endeavour to identify the causes behind how they overlooked the multi-sensorial elements and applications in the rituals. Then, I extend my views on how socio-politically advantageous it would have been if they identified especially the sensorial potency of the rituals and applied them in practice.
Vidyawarta - International Research Journal, 2022
This research paper explores the dialectical features of repetition occurring in dance-music comp... more This research paper explores the dialectical features of repetition occurring in dance-music components in the Sinhalese communal healing rituals Gammaduwa and Sanni Yakuma, and how they contribute to creating an immersive experience. I consider these two co-dependent and co-stimulating stimuli, dance-music, as a single performative component as their potency in producing immersivity is a duo/mutual achievement.
For this inquiry, I employed the data I gathered for years by participating in a number of ritual performances of Gammaduwa and Sanni Yakuma. I have documented my experience with the rituals through reflective writing and also more data was collected by interviewing people who attended the rituals and ritual practitioners/performers who contributed to materialise the above performances. So in this research both autoethnographic and ethnographic data collected through emic and etic approaches were put into service to address the research question. Further, theoretical concepts from dance studies, neuroscience and Buddhist philosophy of perception were incorporated as analytical tools.
Printing Area - International Interdisciplinary Research Journal, 2022
In this paper, I explore the cultural-specific sensory application of two Sinhalese communal (hea... more In this paper, I explore the cultural-specific sensory application of two Sinhalese communal (healing) rituals Gammaduwa and Sanni Yakuma and its significance as a method of crafting aesthetic experience. When viewed through a functionalist perspective, these rituals were inherent and imperative parts of the pre-modern Sinhalese Buddhist social organisation as they were socio-religious events and believed to have psychophysical and ensemble therapeutic effect. They still seem to have an ideological command over Sinhalese Buddhist communities regardless of urban-rural dichotomy. However, the reason for this study is not their potential ideological influence but the performative impactfulness which I have experienced repeatedly for many years.
This research explores ways in which the praxis of contemporary Sinhalese theatre can be extended... more This research explores ways in which the praxis of contemporary Sinhalese theatre can be extended and deepened by the transposition of multisensorial performative elements and applications of the two Sinhalese rituals, Gammaduwa and Sanni Yakuma into contemporary theatre practice of Sri Lanka. In doing so, it aims to address the alienation between theatre and regional audiences, and also to address significant issues of alienation from current political developments in the country.