About the Dance Troupe
Presently Udumbara is lecutring the "World Dance" subject at Victorian Collage of Arts-School of Dance affliated to University of Melbourne.
Rangana Ratnatunga – the son of renowned Stage & Tele-Drama actress, folk song
artist Kala Bhooshana Nanda Ratnatunga (former Dancing Lecturer at Kalutara College
of Education) and retired principal Ranwansha Ratnatunga. Rangana took oaths in 1997
as an Attorney-at-Law in Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and also obtained his Bachelor of
Science (Honors) degree from the University of Peradeniya in the year 2000. Having
started traditional dancing under his mother from his childhood, he received extensive
training in this art from under Guru Nandana Balasooriya. He did his début dance
performance (Kala Eli Mangallaya) in Kandyan Dance (Up-Country Dance Style) in
1990 and then has contributed for many dance performances in Sri Lanka. Such as
National Ballet Festival, Dance Competitions…etc. After serving as Manager Human
Resources & Administration role in a leading stationary and manufacturing company in
Sri Lanka for nearly three years, he came to Australia in 2003 after receiving the
Presidential Scholorship, to do his Postgraduate studies and while in Australia he has
completed Masters degrees in Business Administration and Professional Accounting
from Deakin and Victoria Universities in Melbourne.
Udumbara Ratnatunga – the daughter of famous dramatist, director, translator and
scriptwriter S. Karunaratna and the retired music teacher Anula Karunaratna. Udumbara
obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honors) degree in Dance from the Aesthetic Institute
affiliated to the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka. She also qualified as Visharad in
Bharatha Natyam, received Diplomas in North Indian Music (Vocal) and Kathak Dance
from Bhathkande Sangeeth Vidyapith Lucknow in India. She lectured in Bharatha
Natyam at Performing Arts Department in University of Colombo and also a member of
The Folk Song Ensemble of the Arts Council of Sri Lanka. She also has a Diploma in
Ballet & Creative Dance obtained from Chalana Dance Academy in Sri Lanka.
Udumbara also did her debut dance performance (Arangethram) in Bharatha Natyam
(one of the Traditional Indian dance style) in 1996 and then started her own Dance
Institute – “Sarasavi Arama” to teach Bharatha Natyam and other Sri Lankan traditional
Dance styles to young generation in Sri Lanka. She also contributed to many dance
performances in Sri Lanka as well as in international level. Then she has been awarded
Presidential scholarship in 2003 to do her postgraduate studies. In Melbourne she
received her Postgraduate in Choreography from Victorian College of Arts affiliated to
Melbourne University.
Rangana and Udumbara came to Australia for post-graduate studies. Shortly after arrival
in Melbourne they started to teach Sri Lankan traditional dancing to children in response
to requests by parents. About forty students have undergone continuous training under
them over the last three years. Presently they are conducting the Traditional Sri Lankan
dancing, drumming and Bharatha Natyam classes in Melbourne.
Students of this group have performed on several occasions including Sri Lankan and
Australian festivals (such as Australia Day, Begonia Festival, Commonwealth Games
Promotions …etc) in Melbourne, Ballarat, Darwin, Canberra, Sydney and even in
Auckland.
Link to Rangaabhisheka Photos
“Rangaabhisheka” - Professional Sri Lankan Authentic & Modern Dance
Performance was the first occasion they performed as a fully-fledged professional
dancing troupe performed on the 2nd of April at Alexandra Theatre, Monash Universality
and 8th of October in 2006 at Clock Tower Centre, Mooneeponds.
