Kalasuri Rajini Selvanayagam (1951/1952 – 20 October 2023) was a veteran Sri Lankan traditional dancer. She was popularly dubbed as the Queen of Dance.

Biography

She was born and raised in Balangoda.

Rajini Selvanayagam

Career

She founded her own dance academy "Chamara Kala Nikethanaya" in 1975. She ran the Chamara Kala Nikethanya which was solely intended at building a value-based society enhancing culture, traditions, customs through the art of dancing.

Rajini Selvanayagam

She was well known as a professional teacher of dancing during her illustrious career and she gave so much emphasis on the propagation and sustenance of unique forms of Sri Lankan dance art. She was conferred with prestigious Kalasuri during the 2005 Sri Lankan national honours. She was also conferred with Kala Keerthi and Vishwa Kala Keerthi titles during her career.

Rajini Selvanayagam

Death

She died on 20 October 2023 at the age of 71.

References

1932 births

2023 deaths

Sri Lankan female dancers

Sri Lankan dancers

Dance teachers

People from Sabaragamuwa Province