Kandyan dance (Udarata Natum) is the most recently developed form of Sri Lankan classical dance. It originated in the Kandy region and was historically performed at the Temple of the Tooth during royal ceremonies.
Performers wear ornate costumes featuring silver headdresses, multiple necklaces, and white costumes with red and silver accents. The dance incorporates rapid spins, vigorous footwork, and expressive gestures that narrate stories from Buddhist and Hindu mythology.
In 2016, Kandyan dance was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising its cultural significance to Sri Lanka and the world.
