Vannam

 Vannams are believed to have originated as songs composed in a dance arena in the 18th century and belong to the Kandyan dancing tradition. The word ‘Vannam’ translated to Sinhala ‘Varnana’ means descriptive praise.

There are 5 components of the Vannam dances:

1. Thànama – Singing a note of the melody to each syllabl
2. Kaviya – The poem vocalized by the dancer
3. Kâsthirama – The finale of the first movement of the dance
4. Seeru-màruwa – The movement in preparation for ‘Adàwwa’
5. Adàwwa – The finale of rhythmic body and foot movements

                                                                       The Vannams  Gajaga, Asadrusha, Udara

 and Thuraga are in praise respectively of the conch shell at the King’s consecration, the Royal Elephant, the King’s glory, monarchy and the chariot-horse were the first ones to be written. This later grew into 18 Vannams’  inspired by nature, history, religion and legends.

⨀Vannam many have been written by "Siddhartha Thero of Rabukwella"

⨀Vannam is written in the style of four verses ( Vilabu Shailiya) 

⨀Udarata, Pahatharata and Sabaragamu as three parts.

Examples for Vannam

Uragaa Vannama

This is the recital of the Reptiles. This vannama describes the movements of crawling animals, particularly it is a depiction of the day in the life of Serpents. The serpent with body brightly speckled, prays on frogs and even on other serpents. They also crawl everywhere. The cobra, the king of serpents, emerges out of the hole and with the hood raised and it assumes various forms.

Udara Vannama

Reciting the Royalty (Udara) by expressing the majesty of the King. The Vannama describes, “Adorned with the sixty four ornaments, the king strolls through streets of the city riding on an elephant accompanied by his retinue of foot soldiers amidst the pomp and pageantry of a procession. The music of the five-fold instruments rends the air. People pay homage and the city is jubilant”.

The king thus idolized by the people is presumed to be King Narendrasinghe, the last of the kings of Kandy of Sinhala descent.

Lyrics of the Kaviya

Sada Barana Palanda Sivu Seta Ki – Pura  


Sada Lesin Negi Vahana Ethe Ki

Beda Sivurangin Pabala Pela Ki – Ranga

Nada Handa Gigum Pasathuru Noye Ki

Vida Yana Gaman Puda Pelahara Ki – Raja

Puda Pera Gaman Ranga Sivu Seta Ki

Eda Garu Sithin Vedi Pura Vare Ki – Yedu

Udara Vannama Pera Mei Lesa Ki

https://youtu.be/6C4uAUEwJ3w

Thuraga Vannama

This Vannama moves with the rhythm of the horse, lyrics composed to the lasting glory of the good stallion, the noble born and high minded, Kanthaka.The stallion of Prince Siddhartha (Kanthaka) is the inspiration for this Vannama. It describes the story of Prince’s great renunciation. It is said that the Prince mounts the horse led by Channa and the three ride along cheerfully until River Anoma, where Kanthaka leaps across it (river) with Siddhartha on his back as Channa was clinging on to the tail of him.

       

 Lyrics of the Kaviya

Sath Veth Mahath Adara Lath Yuth Sidath Kumaru

Gath Sith Thosath Pevidi Anga

Ana Karana Channayena Kanthakaya Asu Genena

Gena Edina Asuge Pita Nengaa

Gath Gath Payath Asuge Sabdath Wasath Surindu

Yannen Thosin Thidena Samaga

Yana Yanena Kala Thidena Ethena Thena Pasuwa Dena

Gantherata Pathvuniya Emagaa

Lath Lath Sithath Thidena Veth Veth Ekath Pasawa

Muth Kanthakath Veya Thuranga

Siduhathun Gena Vahana Channa Valigaya Athina

Pennen Ethera Anoma Ganga

Goth Sith Mahath Rusiru Lath Yuth Sidath Kumaru

Gen Seth Regath Nertha Anga

Thidena Pena Giye Gangina Etheda Ana Gena Bethina

Yeduwa Nena Varnayena Thuranga

https://youtu.be/7C6V42HsgEA