An Inquiry into the Dramatic Art in Sri Lanka from the Pre-Buddhist Period to the Kandyan Period

Abstract

There is evidence that has been an advanced art in Sri Lanka since ancient times. The source provides evidence that dance and instrumental art existed in Sri Lanka from the pre-Buddhist era. In addition to the arts of dance and music, there is evidence that drama has existed in Sri Lanka since pre-Buddhist times. The question of this research is whether there was a drama art in Sri Lanka from the pre-Buddhist era to the Kandyan era. Literary and archaeological sources were used as the methodology for this research. Primary and secondary sources were used under literary sources and inscriptions, ruins, etc. were investigated under archeological sources. The names drama, dance, theater, choreographer, dancer, dancer and poet were used in connection with literary and archeological sources. Searching for the meaning of those names confirmed that it meant drama. These names have been used in connection with a source in Sri Lanka since pre-Buddhist times. Accordingly, it was confirmed that there was a drama in Sri Lanka from the pre-Buddhist era to the Kandyan era.