Playing with the Senses: Transposing the Performative Elements and Applications of the Sinhalese Buddhist ritual into Contemporary Sinhalese Theatre

This research explores ways in which the praxis of contemporary Sinhalese theatre can be extended and deepened by the transposition of multisensorial performative elements and applications of the two Sinhalese rituals, Gammaduwa and Sanni Yakuma into contemporary theatre practice of Sri Lanka. In doing so, it aims to address the alienation between theatre and regional audiences, and also to address significant issues of alienation from current political developments in the country.