NITTAWEKA GUNAYA Among Kandyan dancers Nittawela Gunaya earned recognition as one of the highest performing masters as well as master teachers. Through his studies under his uncle Suramba he achieved fame as a dancer. International success arrived for him when he staged his performance during 1927 in Germany. He merged his dance routine with traditional Kandyan dance alongside dramatic performing elements to create a distinctive style unique to himself. Gunaya gained fame for his solo dancing through his Vannamas movements which he performed alone. Through Vannamas dancers can express animals as well as natural elements. Through his imaginative approach he made the dances more crowd-popular by implementing his distinctive dance style. Gunaya gave his standout performance at the 1948 Sri Lankan independence event by delivering the Thuranga Vannama which depicted Prince Siddhartha abandoning his royal status to embark on a journey of self-enlightenment. Through his work Gunaya establ...