Quillian Symposium
Movement Rhizome: Quillian International Symposium on Sri Lanka
February 5-10, 2025
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“Movement Rhizome: Quillian International Symposium on Sri Lanka” is an interdisciplinary event curated by Quillian Visiting International Scholar Sudesh Mantillake.
Inspired by the rhizome concept, this symposium will explore the intersection of dance, performance, film, geography, philosophy, anthropology, architecture, religion, music, literature, rhetoric, decoloniality, and migration.
Through performances, mindful movement sessions, roundtable discussions, and film screenings, participants will explore the history, culture, resilience, healing and politics of Sri Lanka and its global relevance.
The symposium aims to explore established and emerging narratives and expressions of Sri Lanka, bringing together esteemed scholars and artists to engage in meaningful discussions.
The expertise and insights of the presenters will foster a collaborative atmosphere for the meaningful exchange of knowledge.
Special Feature: Sri Lankan Dance Performance & Dialogue
Feb. 7, 2025, 7 p.m., Houston Memorial Chapel, Randolph College
“Contextualizing My Devil Dance” by Sudesh Mantillake
Featuring Sudesh Mantillake, Chinthaka Bandara, & Vajira Mantillake
Open free to the public.
Symposium Panelists
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- Gunindu Abeysekera, Sri Lankan American ethnic studies scholar, art and cultural ethnographer, and community archivist. PhD candidate in Culture and Performance, UCLA
- Chinthaka Bandara, Internationally acclaimed drummer, Senior Lecturer, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Suzanne M. Bessenger, Barbara Boyle Lemon ’57 and William J. Lemon Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Randolph College
- Tyler Lehrer, Assistant Professor of History, Virginia Wesleyan University
- Sudesh Mantillake, Quillian International Visiting Scholar, Randolph College, permanent faculty member in the Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Vajira Dilrukshi Mantillake, dancer, educator, Visiting Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Wilton Martínez, Director of the Center for Visual Anthropology of Peru, Adjunct Associate Professor at University of Maryland Global Campus
- Katrina Powell, Director of the Center for Refugee, Migrant, and Displacement Studies and Professor, Virginia Tech
- Chamila Priyanka, Sri Lankan theatre practitioner, Visiting Lecturer, PhD student in Performance as Public Practice at University of Texas at Austin
- Susan A. Reed, Associate Professor of Women’s & Gender Studies and Anthropology, Bucknell University
Online Panelists
- Tharaka Gunasekara, architect, Visiting Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Chamanee Darshika Hewagamage, theatre practitioner, Lecturer, Department of Theatre, Ballet and Modern Dance, University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Thamali Kithsiri, Senior Lecturer, Department of Geography, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Hasanthi Niriella, movement artist, Visiting Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Vijay Madasamy, activist, community organizer, Researcher and Project Coordinator at Law and Society Trust
- Sumudu Manelanga, movement artist, Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Dilanjana Pathirana, music scholar, Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Schedule
Feb 5, Wednesday
2 p.m – Sri Lankan Dance Workshop MAC Dance Studio
Featuring Sudesh Mantillake and Chinthaka Bandara
This workshop is open free to the public.
Feb 7, Friday
7 p.m – “Contextualizing My Devil Dance” Houston Memorial Chapel
Sri Lankan Dance Performance & Dialogue by Sudesh Mantillake
Featuring Sudesh Mantillake, Chinthaka Bandara, & Vajira Mantillake
This performance and dialogue is open to the public.
Feb 8, Saturday: Symposium
The symposium is open to all who register.
8:30 a.m – Contemplative Practice Session Houston Houston Memorial Chapel
9 a.m – “Identity & Politics” Roundtable Houston Memorial Chapel
In-person roundtable presentations and discussion featuring the following scholars:
- Katrina Powell, Director of the Center for Refugee, Migrant, and Displacement Studies and Professor, Virginia Tech
- Chamila Priyanka, Sri Lankan theatre practitioner, Visiting Lecturer, PhD student in Performance as Public Practice, University of Texas at Austin
- Susan A. Reed, Associate Professor of Women’s & Gender Studies and Anthropology, Bucknell University
10:30-10:45 a.m – Break
10:45 a.m – “Building Resilience through Art & Performance” Houston Memorial Chapel
Hybrid in-person/virtual panel, bridging the distance between the United States and Sri Lanka, featuring the following scholars and artists in collaborative dialogue:
- Suzanne M. Bessenger, Barbara Boyle Lemon ’57 and William J. Lemon Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Randolph College
- Tharaka Gunasekara, architect, Visiting Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Chamanee Darshika Hewagamage, theatre practitioner, Lecturer, Department of Theatre, Ballet and Modern Dance, University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Thamali Kithsiri, Senior Lecturer, Department of Geography, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Vijay Madasamy, activist, community organizer, Researcher and Project Coordinator at Law and Society Trust
- Sumudu Manelanga, movement artist, Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Hasanthi Niriella, movement artist, Visiting Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Dilanjana Pathirana, music scholar, Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
12:30-1:30 p.m. – Lunch Cheatham Dining Hall
1:30 p.m – “History & Performance” Houston Memorial Chapel
In-person roundtable presentations and discussion featuring the following scholars:
- Gunindu Abeysekera, Sri Lankan American ethnic studies scholar, art and cultural ethnographer, and community archivist; PhD candidate in Culture and Performance, UCLA
- Chinthaka Bandara, internationally acclaimed drummer, Senior Lecturer, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Tyler Lehrer, Assistant Professor of History, Virginia Wesleyan University
- Sudesh Mantillake, Quillian International Visiting Scholar, Randolph College; Professor of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Vajira Dilrukshi Mantillake, dancer, educator, Visiting Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
3 p.m – Breakout Groups Houston Memorial Chapel
4-4:15 p.m – Break
4:15 p.m – Film Screening & Talkback:
“The Dance Ritual of Eighteen Vannamas” Nichols Theatre
Film directed by Athula Samarakoon, award-winning filmmaker, Senior Lecturer, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
- Speaker: Sudesh Mantillake
This screening and talkback is open free to the public.
6 p.m – Speakers Dinner Randolph House
Feb 10, Monday
6 p.m – Work-in-Progress Film Excerpt Screening & Talkback
“Why We Dance: Ritual, Performance, and Healing in Post-War Sri Lanka” Nichols Theatre
Filmmakers & Speakers:
- Susan A. Reed, Producer and Researcher
- Wilton Martinez, Director and Co-producer
- Sudesh Mantillake, Field Producer and Cultural Consultant
This screening and talkback is open free to the public.