Sri Lankan Folk songs, music and dances

Sri Lankan Folk songs, music and dances Sri Lankan folk songs – dances and music belong over thousands years of history. They were popular among old rulers as well as common people. Folk songs, dance and music were too attached to the people’s life style and their culture. Mothers used folk songs to get sleep their infants.(Nela vili Gee) Farmers in the paddy fields sang folk songs .(Goyam Kavi) When people working in plumbago mines sang folk songs. ( Pathal Kavi) When people rowing boats they sang folk songs.(Paru Kavi) When they were carrying goods through bullock carts they sang songs (Karaththa Kavi) All these songs were called as Jana Gee (Folk songs) These songs were born in the heart of people. They were very sensitive and they had the ability of expression emotional feelings which could not say in words. Thovil or Yaga gee: When people were get ill in the past some one believed it is an act of devil. Then some people believed they should respect or request the devil to get cure the patient. Then they will arrange special stage and decoration for the devil. During the whole night they make devil dance and songs to get cure the patient. Very often after the full night devil’s blessings patient gets well. This is a one kind of folk musical and dancing show to the villagers. During this night, house holder treats with coffee and local sweets to the viewers/participants. Even today some villagers in remote areas arrange Thovil for their patients.