‘As a dancer, Vajira’s versatility extends from her technical virtuosity to her dramatic portrayal of character roles. Her contribution is immense and far reaching and her impact will without doubt influence the future dance of Sri Lanka." Chitrasena -1986

Those words spoken 23 years ago by Chitrasena ring true as we celebrate the 77th birthday of Vajira, Sri Lanka’s maitre d’ dance on March 15, 2009. Despite taking a more laid back stance during her twilight years, she remains a legendary figure, having carved a hitherto unprecedented niche in the genre of Sri Lankan dance. Much to my dismay, I had a mere 20 minutes with this enigmatic lady, who was preparing to start her class.

It is hard to fathom the thought that such a humble, unpretentious woman has played such a pivotal role, having danced in front of kings, queens and other distinguished folk around the world. She continues to amass trophies and tokens to this day having won the International Women’s Day token of appreciation gifted by Madam Rajapakse on March 8, 2009.

Vajira’s name is synonymous with dance and inevitably interwoven with her guru and life partner Chitrasena. History has its powerful pairings; Anthony & Cleopatra, Vijaya & Kuveni, Saliya & Ashokamala and the names Chitrasena & Vajira too is considered the unparall, albeit legendary duo of dance in Sri Lanka. Although Vajira in her own right has established much, ‘Chitra" is referred to for the umpteenth time in her conversation, subsequently showing me a paper cutting of the guru in his heyday displaying his sinewy, agile limbs, advertising a dance to be held at the Trinity College hall in the 1940’s. Already a famous dancer was he before he met Vajira, but the girl he taught dancing to become his soul mate and her accomplishments were wide and varied. From her debut performance in the ‘Pageant of Lanka’ in Chitrasena’s ‘Ramayanaya’ in 1948, she proved her mettle. Vajira made an impression in all the ballets she performed in, ‘Nala Damayanthi’, ‘Chandali’, ‘Karadiya’, ‘Kidurangana’ and many more. Her regal bearing and fluid movements were referred to in many reviews during her 60 – 65 years as a dancer cum choreographer and to watch her would have been sheer poetry in motion. In her 20s, she was encouraged to display a hitherto unexplored area by women dancers: choreography and her first children’s ballet ‘Kumudini,’ was the start of a world of exploration. Leaving a trail blazing from the word go was the norm for Chitrasena & Vajira.

The relationship was volatile as two strong, creatively challenged individuals will always find themselves at loggerheads. "Once I walked out of classes and went to my aunt’s house in Kandy and Chitra had much coaxing to do before I agreed to return," says Vajira with a twinkle in her eye, to which Upeka added that it was the norm; "Amma would walk out taking her machine and we would organize a dance to bring her back," quipped Upeka with mirth.

Reminiscing about the past inevitably wound around the indomitable Guru’s demise in July 2006 and I questioned Vajira’s reaction; "it was a shock to all of us but doubly so for Amma, who said I have no one to dance for, but the show we organized ‘Guru Maga’ in honour of Thaththa’s birthday in January 2007 revived my mother’s spirit similarly proving to her that their dream would live on through the future generation," reflected Upeka.

Many families try to protect their family heirlooms, but not the Chitrasena family, who possess the rarest heirloom of dance and strive to pass it on to anyone who would love to learn from them; that in itself is a rare treasure.

Glancing through Vajira’s accomplishments would inevitably increase the sense of awe…And one wonders if Sri Lanka could ever repay her and her family for what they have done and continue to do for the preservation and continuation of an awe-inspiring heritage.

A Gam Maduwa: low country dance ritual will be performed for Vajira’s birthday at the ‘Chitrasena Kalayathanaya’ today. Whilst remaining indebted to such an iconic figure we wish her success in her endeavours.