Sri Lanka - Pearl of Indian Ocean

 Sri Lanka - Pearl of Indian Ocean

Though Sri Lanka is a small country in the Indian Ocean, fondly known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.  It is unique and forward in many ways.  Even most countries that are more developed than Sri Lanka are yet to have female leaders, Sri Lanka was the first country in the world to elect a woman President - Sirimavo Bandaranaike,  in the year 1960 itself.

In 1972, Ceylon was renamed Sri Lanka, since then Sri Lankan rupee is their currency.  Earlier they were using Indian money and British currencies.

When most of the country's banknotes have statesmen, creators, and achievers in their banknotes, Sri Lanka gives importance to their country's development, culture, and heritage on their banknotes, except for the one commemorative note, which depicts President Rajapakse.  

One of the unique and instantly recognizable features of Sri Lankan notes is the vertical printing on the reverse side.

The Sri Lankan rupee is divisible into 100 cents. Sri Lankan currency in circulation includes 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cent coins, as well as 1, 2, 5, and 10 rupee coins. Banknotes are available in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 rupees.

I got all the denomination of 11th series banknotes which focuses on Development and Prosperity, Butterflies, Birds, and Dancers.

The 10th series is dedicated to Culture.  I got only 10,20 and 50 rupees in this series.

My friends from Sri Lanka, Nadeera and Kumudini walked me through the dances of the 11th series.

Ves Netuma (Ves Dance), the most popular form of dance in Sri Lanka, belongs to the classical dance known as Kandyan Dancing. It is believed that the Kandyan Dance originated in the IV century BCE with the ritual known as the Kohomba Kankariya, which is performed to propitiate the deity known as Kohomba to obtain relief from various sicknesses, pestilences and to ensure health and prosperity throughout the year. 

Geta Beraya (Kandyan Drum) is the main drum used in the Kandyan Dancing tradition, The drum tapers from the center towards the ends.

Vadiga Patuna dance is a performance of the Low Country dance tradition. It narrates the arrival of some Brahmins from Vadige Land to relieve a queen of a serious ailment. The verse and dialogue are in Palli Sanskrit and Tamil languages.

This banknote shows a drummer with Yak Beraya and Thelme Netuma Dancer.  Thelme Netuma (Thelme Dance) belongs to the ritual of Devol Maduwa, which is performed to propitiate a deity known as Devol. The Theirne Netuma is a pure rhythmical and classical dance form of Sri Lanka Low Country dances. The main drum used is the Yak Beraya.

Malpadaya Netuma belongs to the Sabaragamuwa dance form. It is associated with the ritual known as Gammaduwa to propitiate the Pattini goddess in order to obtain a good harvest, Immunity, and relief from infectious diseases. The main drum used is the Davul Beraya.

Davul Beraya is a cylindrical drum, which is shorter than Geta Beraya and Yak Beraya. This drum is accompanied in the Sabaragamuwa dance tradition and often used in Buddhist temples. The right side is played with a stick known as Kadippu and the left is prayed with the hand. This drum is also used in Ana Bera (for communication).