The elder Senuka and younger Yenuka Sudusinghes are two talented Kandyan dancing brothers from Wellington. Recently we decided to converse with them about their interests and life experiences in New Zealand.
Can you tell us a bit about yourselves?
Senuka: I moved here when I was 10. We’ve been living here for 13 years now. I studied a conjoined degree with a major in management and theatre at Victoria University of Wellington. Then acquired a marketing minor in Bachelor of Commerce and Arts. I was working for Dilmah t-Lounge in Wellington. Now I work as the Brand Activation and Sales Rep. for Dilmah, New Zealand. Since childhood, I grew a passion for performing arts.
Yenuka: I arrived in New Zealand in 2012 at the age of four. I’m currently in my last year at Newland’s College. I do sports and performing arts. I play musical instruments, participate in school musicals, and multiple extracurricular activities. I hope to study Sports Science at Massey University.
How challenging was the transition from Sri Lanka to New Zealand?
Senuka: New Zealand’s schooling system is different from Sri Lanka’s. In Sri Lanka, we were brought up to learn what’s available, whereas in New Zealand they let you explore and find your interests. I was in culture shock . But New Zealand’s acceptance of multi-cultural diversity allowed me to ground myself in my culture. Through influences from my Thaththa, who is a professional dancer and a drummer and Dayani Aunty’s Sri Lankan Dance Academy, which is about to turn 50 now, I could continue doing something I love, like folk songs, drumming, and dancing. That took away my culture shock. Furthermore, at the dancing academy, I was able to connect with kids who were the same as me, trying to find their identity. My parents have been very supportive, throughout.
Yenuka: I was not indulged in Sri Lankan culture yet, because I was just four. Kindergarten was easy on me. I feel like it was much smoother and easier compared to Ayya.
You are fluent in Sinhala as well. How did you manage that here?
Senuka: Wherever my parents were present, we weren’t allowed to speak in English. That was mostly Thaththa’s initiative. Sometimes we spoke in English with Amma, but with Thaththa it’s only Sinhala. Thaththa always said, if our name is Sudusinghe we are supposed to know its meaning. When we spoke English, our parents pretended they didn’t understand. Then we had to rephrase in Sinhala. Initially, we were not very happy with this, but over time, I’ve seen the benefits. I feel that knowing a second language is an important skill. They also influenced us to read and write through Wellington Dhaham Paasala and Sinhala School. The Sinhala School initially started as a small group which was easier for us to connect. Even at the dancing academy, it’s mostly Sinhala with a mix of English. Because of this skill, we can have lovely long conversations without barriers with Achchi and Seeya over the phone.
Yenuka: Even though I spoke English at school it would mainly be Sinhala at home. I’ve seen lots of people who came here from Sri Lanka are unable to speak Sinhala due to the lack of practice. Fluency in Sinhala has helped me to stay close to my culture and confidently converse with anyone from my community.
What made you follow Kandyan dancing and traditional drumming?
Senuka: I remember those days, seeing my Thaththa perform. Since I was like six years old I used to say, one day I wanna dance Ves with Thaththa on stage. Traditional performances were a way for me to stay connected to my culture here. I still remember, for talent shows, where I used to sing folk songs and play drums. So many people were excited and curious about it. That made me want to learn even more. Then thanks to the Sri Lankan Dance Academy and what I mostly picked up from Thaththa, whom I still consider as my hero.
Yenuka: Just like Ayya said, Thaththa. He’s a top performer. I don’t remember watching him perform back in Sri Lanka. But still, to this day, he has that style and technique. It’s nice to sit and watch him perform. I was too young to do much dancing in Sri Lanka. But after I came here and turned four or five, I started dancing. I was thinking, if Thaththa has Ves, Ayya has Ves, I don’t want to be the odd one out. So, I went ahead with the Ves graduation. I’m quite invested in music, especially with drums. I love their sound and variety.
What are your feelings about acquiring the Ves status in Kandyan dancing?
Senuka: It was a journey of more than ten years. It’s not like you have to complete some dances and become a Kandyan dancer. It’s knowing the tradition. It’s a great honour, completing that in New Zealand. Seeing our culture shine elsewhere is really special. It makes it even more special when I’m dancing alongside my brother. But it’s never the end. There’s still more that we can learn to be someone of my father’s calibre.
Yenuka: It’s been ten years of practice. It’s similar to schooling where you have your primary, intermediate, college. You just don’t transition to a uni, without finishing them. This is like the process of completion. As Ayya said, you can learn more. It was an interesting experience learning all those basics and the culture behind everything.
What are your interests other than traditional dancing and drumming?
Senuka: I was interested in musical theatre and music. I started my Trinity College exams in Sri Lanka and continued here. I completed ATCL, a level in their teaching diploma for speech and drama. I focused mostly on people who are neurodivergent. I taught them speech, performance, creativity, and drama to make their world a little easier. I perform for musicals like Les Misérables. During recent years, I focused on stage lighting and design. I also played the drum kit for Trinity exams. Hoping to continue on that. I’ve had an interest in a lot of different instruments. When I wanted to try a new instrument, Thaththa always encouraged me, but under the condition that he’d only support me if I did it right. In my last year at school, I won the Senior Musician of the Year award.
Yenuka: I’m interested mainly in music. I’ve done drama up to grade seven. I’ve been involved in school productions like Shrek and High School Musical. I play the guitar, drums, and piano, with multiple piano exams. I’m in the Jazz band at school, where I play drums. I play ukulele and the guitar ensemble in the orchestra. I won the Musician of the Year award. I am interested in sports. I did Athletics from age seven to 14 and hope to do more next year. Now I’m focused on Basketball and Cricket. Because of my interest in sports, I’m planning to follow a career in Sports Science.
With your talents in both Sri Lankan and Western arts, do you have any ideas on blending these genres and producing your own fusion genre?
Yenuka: In the past, we’ve done quite. During the Ves graduation, some profound drummers came from Sri Lanka. We had a little session because they stayed in our place. It wasn’t like an official band. We would mix the Gata Beraya, Thammattama, drums, and piano. We did some fusion. We have done some fusion drumming in our past concerts and performances. For the upcoming 50th anniversary of the dance academy, we might do something similar.
Senuka: Thaththa makes it a point in those creations to get us and the whole group involved. Not only just showcasing our culture, but we’ve done acts with Maori traditional arts, Double Base, and many other instruments. It’s on track for us, having done it, being surrounded by it, and seeing people at the top of their field. Maybe we can start a band. Something to look forward to.
Have all these cultural and art influences helped you in your day-to-day life?
Senuka: I take these experiences I’ve had with the arts into work. That helped me bring fresh ideas. I’m not scared by just keeping my idea to myself. The theatre background really helps me to present it. It made me welcome the diversity in the workplace.
Yenuka: Performing gives me confidence. I wouldn’t have stage fright. I would be more confident when talking to strangers. A big part of getting the Musician of the Year was having that musical background from Kandyan dancing and drumming. I felt I was more seasoned when performing. Thaththa was quite particular with our dancing performances. He would make us repeat the same stance until we got it right. That conditioning helped me in my sports, fitness, and overall health.
What are your future plans? Continue your father’s legacy or follow your own paths?
Yenuka: I still love Sri Lankan dancing. I’m not planning my own performances or concerts. But I would like to teach and help the younger students. I still like to perform for concerts and help. Since my father’s also in the Personal Training side of the gym, which is his occupation, I’m trying to follow that path as a Personal Trainer for now before studying Sports Science.
Senuka: I want to build my role in my career at Dilmah. Their business fits with our culture. I want to see if there’s any crossover. So, not just, working, and then performing, but seeing if performing and working, can co-exist.
What’s your message to our viewers, especially the youths who are of Sri Lankan origin living in New Zealand?
Senuka: Be true to your roots. Names hold power. So, our last name is something you should be proud of. Because that’s your heritage. Be proud of who you are and your origins. It’s easy to lose sight of your identity, being so far away from home. But build yourself up from what’s already there.
Yenuka: Try to stay connected to your culture. Whether it’s speaking Sinhala or performing arts, there are many opportunities now in New Zealand to connect with your culture. There are multiple different events. Try to get involved. Even if we live in a different country, we can still be who we are and we don’t have to change because of someone else.
By Thulitha Abayawardhana – Auckland
