On June 14 the dancers of Natyapoorna Dr. Nirmala John’s Nirmalanjali Academy in collaboration with Barefoot will perform Devamala (‘ A Garland of Gods’), the first dance performance at the Barefoot Gallery gardens in 15 years. Amidst the fragrance of incense, strings of jasmine and trailing vines, the performance will depict a collection of gods and goddesses from Indian mythology in dance, each a shining gem in the divine garland.

In Colombo, bharatanatyam performances tend to take place in temple halls and auditoriums. These
are typically attended by an audience that is familiar with the art form and can decode the signs
and symbols that convey its rich narratives. The performance aims to offer the experience of this
beautiful classical art to a more unfamiliar audience in a more unexpected setting.

Amongst the dimpled miris gal stones and trees of the iconic Barefoot Gallery, the Nirmalanjali
dancers will guide the audience through the language of bharatanatyam’s reddened feet and fingers,
providing a gloss and context to each dance in the belief that understanding increases the pleasure, or
rasa, of the audience’s experience.

Accompanied by live carnatic musicians and vocalists, the performance will communicate aspects of
the divine pantheon to the audience through classical movement, music, and expression. To connect
with the Barefoot’s important role in Sri Lanka’s artisan tradition, the dancers will wear custom
Barefoot fabrics, bringing the artisan craft of handloom into colourful conversation with classical
dance.

Natyapoorna Dr. Nirmala John is a distinguished Bharatanatyam teacher, choreographer, and
pioneer who has made a lasting impact in Sri Lanka and gained international recognition for her
excellence. She was trained at Bharatakalanjali under the renowned gurus V. P. Dhananjayan. The
Nirmalanjali Academy was founded in 1986.

The performance will take place on 14 June 2025 at 7 pm. Tickets can be purchased online at
www.ticketsministry.lk or in advance at the Barefoot Gallery, Monday - Saturday (cash only). Contact
0773936719 for any questions.

Photographs by Luke Spinner Tidball.