: In this recital, dancers imitate the frolics of a monkey—jumping, swaying between trees, making wrinkled faces, and scrutinizing passersby.
: The Vannamas were composed during the reign of King Narendrasinghe (1707–1737) in Kandy, blending Sinhalese Buddhist themes with South Indian court influences.
The (also spelled Hanuma Wannama) is a classical Sri Lankan dance recital and song that imitates the playful and energetic movements of the monkey god Hanuman from the Ramayana epic . It is one of the 18 classical Vannams (descriptive praises) of the Kandyan dance tradition, often the first animal-inspired piece a dancer learns. Cultural Background & Meaning
High-quality recordings of the Hanuma Vannama are typically part of traditional Sri Lankan folk music compilations.
: The dance represents devotion, heroism, and the animated spirit associated with Hanuman. Where to Find & Listen (MP3/Audio)
