This week the Youth Observer reaches out to talented actress and dancer, Yasodha Rasanduni.
Yasodha is a gifted Kandyan dancer and known for her roles in ‘Frangipani’ (2014), ‘Thaththa’ (2018) and ‘Children of White’ (2018).
In conversation with Yasodha here’s what we found out:
Q: How did you get into dancing?
A: I have danced since school and I have always enjoyed it. I went to the Kulasiri Budawatta dancing school when I was seven years old. In 2011 I got into stage dramas, and since stage dramas are a perfect amalgamation of dancing and acting I fell in love with it immediately. I pursued kandyan dancing continuously. I also teach dancing in a private school in Colombo.
I actually got interested in contemporary dancing last year. The fusion and the expression surrounding it got me captured. So I joined the Atakalari institute of dancing in Bangalore, with a lot of support from friends and family specially Anushiya Subasinghe. That is where I am now
Q: How did you get into acting?
A: In 2011, I got into Somalatha Subasinghe’s Playhouse, this is when I began my journey in acting. My cousin really helped me in this process. Then I acted in many productions of the playhouse until I got my role in frangipani in 2013.
Q: How was the Frangipani experience?
A: This was the first movie I did. While I was extremely nervous I was so happy to do it. I was so happy to do a role like that, as it was a socially sensitive topic and I was so proud to be a part of the message that movie conveyed. The crew (especially Dasun and Jehan)was so helpful and the director Vishvekesha was incredible and extremely professional. This crew is still like a family to me, I am so glad I had this experience.
Q: Why is dancing important to you?
A: I don’t know why I like dancing, I have been in love with it since I was a child. I want to explore it further. Learn the intricacies of it, experiment with it and basically live with dance. It is not just a profession to me it fills me with so much joy.
Q: Dancing or acting? Which do you prefer and why?
A:I cannot pick one! They are both very important to me, they always go together. Dancing makes acting more expressive and acting makes dancing more passionate.
Q: What do you think about the Sri Lankan dancing scene?
A: I think the dancing scene in Sri Lanka is very impressive. While we might not have the most diverse contemporary dancing scheme, the traditional dancing atmosphere is very colourful and full of talent. There are many veteran dancing schools spreading the beauty of traditional dancing including the Chithrasena dance academy, Ravibandu dance school, Kapila Palihawadana dance school.
Q: What is your biggest dream as a dancer?
A: I don’t have big dreams, I have small plans, I got the idea to do contemporary dancing and I came here. At present I wish to learn as much as I can, experiment with it and teach what I know to the next generation.
Q: What is your favourite style of dance?
A: It is contemporary right now. It is so fascinating to me right now. I am experimenting with it and falling in love with it every step of the way.
Q: What inspires you?
A: I am inspired by what moves the world. I wish to address social topics through my dance. I believe the beauty of art is when it contributes to the betterment of society.
Q: Who are your idols?
A: I have so many. But since I am immersed in contemporary dance now I will have to say Isadora Duncan. I came across her when I was looking into ways to branch out of traditional dancing. She was a ballet dancer who got bored with it and wanted to find ways to add a contemporary twist to it. I remember having a similar sentiment with Kandyan dance when I was exploring forms of contemporary dance, her journey really inspired me to embark on my own.
Q: What are you up to this year?
A: I will be in Bangalore for a while. I have been invited to do a collaboration with a Bharata Natyam dancer, so I am getting ready these days. I am also doing some classes for kids (freestyle dancing). I am planning to do a bit more teaching and getting involved in more collaborations this year.
Finally Yasodha wanted to extend her gratitude to all those who supported her in her artistic journey, including and not limited to; Venuri Perera, Kanchana Malshani, Pathum Dharmarathne and Jayampathi Guruge.