Veronika Dassanayaka

🪔 About

Veronika Dassanayaka, also spelled Veronika Dassanayake, is a distinguished Sri Lankan dancer, choreographer, artist, and lecturer, primarily recognized for her contributions to Kathak, an Indian classical dance form. Her journey in dance began with Kandyan dancing under the tutelage of Vidhawathi Rajapaksha. In 2002, she received an Indian Council for Cultural Relationship (ICCR) scholarship, enabling her to pursue advanced studies in Kathak at the Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya (Bhatkhande Music University) in Lucknow, India. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with first-class honors in 2008, having been trained by the renowned Kathak teacher Arjun Mishra. Further solidifying her expertise, Dassanayaka achieved first-class passes in both 'Nipun' and 'Visharadh' in Kathak Dance from Bhatkhande Sangeeth Vidyapeeth. She later completed her Master of Arts degree at the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo in 2012. Beyond her artistic endeavors, Dassanayaka has a notable military career, having served as a major in the Sri Lanka Army and leading its dancing troupe. In 2017, she made history as the first female Major in the Sri Lanka Army Dance Team, where she was instrumental in establishing an Indian Dance Team within the armed forces. As a lecturer, she imparts her knowledge of Kathak to students across Sri Lanka. She is the founder of Sri Brindavan Kathak Kendra and Kandy Kathak Kendra, institutions dedicated to promoting Kathak. Her innovative approach to performing arts has led her to create a unique style, enriching Kathak with a broader spectrum of emotions and expressions. Dassanayaka has performed Kathak extensively, including tours to India and other countries, where she has presented recitals and lecture demonstrations. Her influence is evident through her students, notably the mother-daughter duo Chithreena Medis and Thelma Medis, who achieved the milestone of being the first to present a Kathak dance stage performance in Sri Lanka. Awards & Honours: Gold Medal for Indian Kathak Solo (2014), Bronze Medal for Indian Kathak Solo (2015), Silver Medal for Indian Kathak Solo (2017), Kathak Nritya Visharad, Kathak Nipun.