KALASOORI PANIBHARATHA

The 13th death anniversary of Kalasoori Panibharatha – the legendary dancer and versatile artiste of international repute - falls on September 20. Dr. Kalasoori Sithratchcharige Panibharatha was born on February 24, 1920 in Hathara Korale Algama. His father Pabanchi Gurunnanse wanted his son to study traditional medicine but an uncle of his who discovered his extra-ordinary dancing passion asked him to switch to dancing. He studied dancing and drumming under his grandfather Algama Siriya Gurunnanse and Algama Kiriganitha Guru. He was barely 8 when he got an opportunity to play the Magul Bera at Radio Ceylon, and in 1937 he met popular artist Mr J D Perera and his wife Chandralekha after coming to Colombo. In 1940 he was dressed as a “Traditional Wes Dancer” at the Attanagalle Rajamaha Vihara Temple. After associating Mrs. Chandralekha from 1938 Dr KP got the opportunity to visit India as their Drummer. He met Shiri Gopinath in India and was invited by him to study Indian dancing and he agreed. Then he was offered a scholarship in 1944 to study Indian Dancing Kathakali, Manipuri and drumming at Vishvabharati Shantiniketan. Then he got the opportunity to act in a drama which was produced by Ravindranath Tagore. He was recommended by M/s Mahathma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Kerala Maha Kavi, Walathol Narayan while he was in India and he arrived to Sri Lanka with a thorough knowledge in 1940. Then he was appointed as the Dancing Teacher at Royal College, Colombo and subsequently in several leading schools. Then he was promoted as the Dancing Instructor at the Teacher Training College, Mirigama. 1952 was a very significant year for Mr Panibharatha since he was selected as the Principal at Lalitha Kalayathanaya which is the State Institute for Artists (known as “Hewood”). In 1979 he was appointed as the Head at the University of Kelaniya. He married Mrs. Premalatha Panibharatha in 1954 and their Daughters were Upuli and Jayawanthi who are also popular Dancing Choreographers in Sri Lanka.he was bestowed with a series of awards and honorary titles for his exceptional contributions to local arts.