Vajira Chitrasena was a choreographer, born in 1932 in Kalubowila, who died in 2024.
Biography
Deshamanya Vajira Chitrasena (15 March 1932 – 23 September 2024) was a Sri Lankan traditional dancer, choreographer and teacher. Vajira is regarded as Sri Lanka's first prima ballerina. She is the first Sri Lankan woman to practise the traditional Kandyan dance which was traditionally performed only by men. Vajira is credited with creating brand for a female style of Kandyan dancing and setting the tone for women to become ritual dancers. She was married to Chitrasena who was a well known legendary dancer and dance guru.
On 26 January 2020, she along with late professor Indra Dassanayake was conferred with the Padma Shri award which is one of the highest Indian civilian awards coinciding with the 71st Republic Day of India.
Facts from Wikidata (Q84083006), CC0.