Hillwood celebrates its 125th Anniversary with a cultural show - Naada Noo Paa

Hillwood College Kandy in collaboration with Trinity College Kandy proudly presents “Naada Noo Paa”; a cultural show to celebrate their 125th Anniversary in the year 2015.

For the past 124 years Hillwood College has stood prestigiously in the Hill Capital as a leading girls’ college which has functioned under the vision “To be the centre of excellence in holistic education”. As a college which gives first preference to inculcate traditional values and cultural aspects of the country, we have been performing in the areas of traditional dancing and traditional music from the inception. We have performed locally as well as internationally achieving great heights in the area of aesthetics. Trinity College Kandy, which is the brother school of Hillwood College; founded in 1872 is performing along with the Hillwoodians in our 125th Anniversary cultural event. Trinity too has a proud history in the area of dancing and music along with their local and international achievements.

Naada Noo Paa, consists of different dance items along with Eastern music items. The show is scheduled to be held in Kandy and in Colombo. Two school shows and a public show in Kandy will be held at the respective College halls. The main show is scheduled to be held at the Nelum Pokuna International Theatre as a school show and a public show.

Drum and Dance troupe of Trinity College was founded in 1872. Trinity College is the first school in the country to introduce Kandyan dancing into its regular curriculum. This prestigious college has been in the forefront in promoting traditional culture and art forms. The continued success of Trinity’s National, Drum and Dance Troupe from the mid 70’s and its Oriental society both locally and overseas has been the pride of the school.

Showing a deep appreciation for the arts throughout its history, Trinity’s achievements in this department are many. Within the last thirty years the Drum and Dance Troupe has been both locally and internationally exposed participating in numerous competitions and festivals in countries such as England, Belgium, Germany, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The history of the oriental society too is equally noteworthy. They’ve been winning the All Island singing competition for the last 14 years and also performing well at international competitions at Cleveland and Wales, one of the most spectacular productions of their was “Saadani Ranga Prabha” where all the Aesthetic groups of college held hands.

The Hillwood College Dancing Troupe was founded in 1950’s and it is with pride that we pronounce of its achievements both locally and internationally. Hillwood College has one of the most outstanding Dance troupes that promote tradition and culture globally. They have had many achievements at Zonal level, Provincial, National and also internationally. The girls have had exposure in participating in many competitions and festivals in countries such as Spain, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Israel, Germany and Nepal and in 2013, the troupe had the privilege of visiting “Shanthi Nikethana” The Ravindranath Tagore University in West Bengal in India, where they had the opportunity mastering their traditions of dancing while introducing our culture to them. The oriental music group has also achieved much throughout the years they’ve proved themselves note worthy but securing many places island wide. They were the winners of the ‘Lions troupe’ that was placed first in the all island inter school band competition 2014. Apart from the Island wide achievements, tours to other countries have made links possible between the College and the Shanthi Nikethan in West Bengal and Lakshipat Singhaniya Academy in Kolkata. In 2014 this particular group had a golden opportunity to perform a number of cultural items representing Sri Lanka before a full audience, amazing them with our traditional skills.

Amongst all, the most spectacular era in Hillwood dancing, was when Trinity College performed together with Hillwood College in Great Britain in 1992. Now here we are from the capital hills, rich in culture and traditions together performing at Nelum Pokuna International Theatre once again.

Immeasurable guidance is extended by the dedicated staff of both schools.