Narthana 2026 marked five years of Sri Lankan dance in the UK with a sold-out celebration at London’s Shaw Theatre, King’s Cross, on 20 June 2026.
Presented by the Kandyan Dancers Company, the fifth annual production brought together 161 dancers in a vibrant programme of 12 original acts. The performance highlighted the depth and variety of Sri Lankan culture, featuring Kandyan, Pahatharata, Sabaragamu, Folk, Bharatanatyam, Kuthu and Contemporary dance.
Since its launch in 2022, Narthana has developed into one of the leading showcases of Sri Lankan performing arts in the United Kingdom. Its continued success reflects the strength of the Sri Lankan community in the UK and the commitment of dancers, teachers, families, organisers and cultural supporters.
A significant milestone for Sri Lankan culture in the UK
Narthana was established to provide a dedicated platform for Sri Lankan dance and to create opportunities for performers of different ages and backgrounds. Five years on, the production has grown from a new cultural event into a major annual fixture for Sri Lankans in the UK and audiences interested in the island’s artistic heritage.
The 2026 production demonstrated that growth through its scale and artistic range. With 161 dancers taking part, the event offered audiences an opportunity to experience several important traditions within one carefully curated programme.
Kandyan dance, traditionally associated with the central hills of Sri Lanka, is known for its distinctive movements, ceremonial costumes and powerful rhythms. Pahatharata and Sabaragamu represent other major regional traditions, each with its own vocabulary of movement, musical character and cultural history.
The programme also included Folk dance, Bharatanatyam, Kuthu and Contemporary dance. This combination connected established traditions with modern forms of expression, showing how Sri Lankan dance continues to develop while retaining its cultural identity.
161 dancers brought the production to life
The sold-out performance at the Shaw Theatre was the centrepiece of the fifth-anniversary celebrations. The participation of 161 dancers created a strong sense of occasion, with performers representing the energy, discipline and diversity of Sri Lankan dance in Britain.
For many families, productions such as Narthana provide more than an evening of entertainment. They offer younger generations a direct connection to Sri Lankan heritage and create a welcoming space in which cultural knowledge can be shared.
Performing in front of a London audience also gives dancers the opportunity to present Sri Lankan traditions to the wider public. In this way, Narthana serves both the Sri Lankan community and the broader cultural life of the capital.
The production’s range of styles was particularly important. It allowed audiences to see the relationship between traditional practice and contemporary creativity, while demonstrating that Sri Lankan performing arts can speak to different generations and communities.
Distinguished figures recognised at the anniversary event
Narthana 2026 was honoured by the presence of Professor Mudiyanse Dissanayake, one of Sri Lanka’s most respected dance educators. Professor Dissanayake is also the guru of Dilini Seneviratne, founder and artistic director of the Kandyan Dancers Company.
His presence underlined the connection between the production in London and Sri Lanka’s established dance education and performance traditions. It also acknowledged the importance of teachers and mentors in passing cultural knowledge from one generation to the next.
Ms Kumudu Perera was also recognised during the anniversary celebrations. Her decades of teaching in the UK have inspired generations of Sri Lankan dancers and contributed to the continued development of Sri Lankan performing arts within the diaspora.
During the evening, Dilini Seneviratne received a commemorative wooden plaque recognising five years of Narthana and her contribution to preserving and promoting Sri Lankan dance in the United Kingdom.
The recognition reflected the sustained work required to establish an annual cultural production. Behind each performance are months of rehearsals, costume preparation, choreography, administration, fundraising and community support.
Narthana Exhibition presented at The Bhavan
The fifth-anniversary programme also included the first-ever Narthana Exhibition at The Bhavan in London.
Supported by The Bhavan and the High Commission of India in London, the exhibition documented the journey of Narthana from its first production in 2022 to its fifth-anniversary edition in 2026. It brought together costumes, photography, memorabilia and other highlights from the five productions.
The exhibition offered visitors a chance to look beyond the stage and understand the work involved in presenting Sri Lankan dance in the UK. It also recognised the performers, supporters, collaborators and partners who have helped shape the event over the past five years.
Exhibitions of this kind are valuable to cultural preservation. Costumes, photographs and performance records provide a visible history of community activity, while helping younger audiences understand how cultural organisations have developed in the UK.
For Sri Lankans living away from the island, such records can also strengthen a sense of belonging. They show how traditions are maintained, adapted and shared in a new social environment.
Supporting children through Their Future Today
Narthana 2026 continued the production’s commitment to giving back by supporting Their Future Today, a charity dedicated to helping vulnerable children in Sri Lanka remain with their families.
The charity works to transform the lives of children and support families facing difficult circumstances. Through the generosity of performers and audiences, Narthana used its anniversary platform to contribute to a cause connected to the wellbeing of children in Sri Lanka.
This charitable element added another dimension to the event. It demonstrated how Sri Lanka events in the UK can bring people together not only to celebrate culture, but also to support meaningful work in Sri Lanka.
Community-led fundraising remains an important part of the UK’s Sri Lankan cultural calendar. Events that combine performance, participation and charitable support can reach a wide audience while creating practical benefits beyond the venue.
Building opportunities for the next generation
Under the artistic direction of Dilini Seneviratne, the Kandyan Dancers Company continues to preserve, promote and celebrate Sri Lankan performing arts across the United Kingdom.
Narthana’s five-year journey has created opportunities for dancers, choreographers, teachers and cultural ambassadors. It has also helped establish a visible platform for Sri Lankan dance in London, where audiences can experience the richness of the island’s traditions in a professional theatre setting.
The production’s inclusive approach is significant for Sri Lankan families in the UK. Children and young people can take part in a structured artistic environment, learn about cultural traditions and perform alongside people from different age groups and backgrounds.
For older generations, the event provides an opportunity to see familiar traditions presented in a new setting. For younger performers, it offers a way to engage with their heritage through movement, music, discipline and teamwork.
That combination of continuity and creativity is central to the success of Narthana. The event respects the foundations of Sri Lankan dance while giving performers space to explore new ideas and contemporary presentation.
A lasting contribution to the UK cultural calendar
Narthana 2026 showed how Sri Lankan culture continues to make a strong contribution to the UK’s performing arts landscape. Its sold-out audience, 161 dancers, 12 original acts and anniversary exhibition all pointed to the event’s growing importance.
The production also reflected the wider achievements of Sri Lankans in the UK. Across the country, community organisations, artists, teachers, businesses and volunteers are creating events that connect people with their heritage and introduce Sri Lankan traditions to wider audiences.
Five years after its launch, Narthana is now more than an annual dance performance. It is a community platform, a cultural archive, a training opportunity and a celebration of Sri Lanka’s artistic identity.
As the Kandyan Dancers Company looks towards future productions, Narthana’s fifth anniversary provides a strong foundation for the next stage of its development. The 2026 event demonstrated that Sri Lankan dance in the UK has both a proud history and a promising future.
Photography by Praneeth Hettiarachchi and Team. Additional image: AI-generated editorial illustration for elanka.
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