Nadagam tradition


 Nadagama, a type of local folk drama that originated in Sri Lanka in the 19th century under South Indian influence, is a blend of song, dance and acting. It was popularized by the Dravidian musician Alaganaidu and the contribution of Philip Singho, and is considered the first drama tradition in the history of Sinhala drama.


Origin: Inspired by South Indian street drama in the early 19th century.

Leaders: Philip Singho (wrote 13 Nadagama such as Ehelepola Nadagama and Sulambavathi).

Stage: Usually performed on a circular or square stage at ground level.

Music and style: Storytelling, singing songs with royal/diplomatic themes and divine stories as the background.

Decline: With the advent of Nurturi theatre in the early 20th century, the popularity of Nadagam art declined.

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