Rashika Kulasinghe
Director,
Vishver Rangayathanaya,
The Sri Lankan Traditional Dancing School
Rashika had a natural talent for dancing as a child and she was encouraged and guided by her
parents to pursue dancing as her career path to the future. She commenced her performing arts
education when she attended Galahitiyawa Central College and completed Advanced Level certificate
with flying colours for dancing and drama. She continued her Ghandarwa dancing Visharada
qualification - Beginners, Medium and Advanced Levels for Kandyan Dance (sub qualification - Jana Gayana)
and Low Country Dance (sub qualification - Bera Wadana or rhythmic drums).
As a pupil of renowned Bharatha Natyam artist and teacher Rajini Selvanayagam, Rashika mastered
the art of Bharatha Natyam adding to her portfolio. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree
(specialising in dancing) at the University of Kelaniya in 1997.
Since completing her tertiary education in performing arts, Rashika initiated her professional
career as a dancing instructor at Pansilu Kala Kawaya in Sri Lanka. She was the dance teacher at
Galahitiyawa State School, and before immigrating to Australia, she was the dance teacher at St Pauls
Milagiriya, Colombo.
Rashika immigrated to Australia in 2000 with her husband Aruna Kulasinghe, where she receives the utmost
support, encouragement and commitment for her career advancement. Rashika is blessed with two adorable sons.
Rashika opened her Traditional Sri Lankan Dancing School - Vishver Rangayathanaya in 2002 in Hallam, Victoria,
with the intention of sharing her passion and her art of dancing that she worships, to Sri Lankan children and
expose them to the Sri Lankan culture and traditional values. Currently over 150 students are learning traditional
Sri Lankan dance techniques to the rhythmic on stage drum beats of Rashika. Now she has extended her school to a
second venue at Glen Waverley.
Rashika has her students participating in almost all Sri Lankan cultural and musical performances in Victoria.
In 2004, Rashika’s professional career extended when she took up the role as the production advisor and
choreographer of the concert “Dance through the timeless journey”, held in Melbourne.
In March 2005, “Vishver Narthana Rekha” produced and choreographed by Rashika was performed at the
Monash Alexander Theatre. This concert was the inaugural presentation from Rashika and her students at
Vishver Rangayathanaya.
Another milestone, in Rashika's career, was a demonstration of her skills as the production dance trainer of
the Melbourne stage production “Mahasara”.
As a young dancer Rashika has won many prestigious individual dancing awards:
1991 Lankan Youth Clubs Cultural Competition (All Island)
Kandyan Dancing - Champion
Rhythmic Drums (Traditional) - Champion
1991 All Island Inter School Dancing & Ballet competition Drama - 3rd Place
1990 All Island Youth Award Folk Dancing (Jana Natum) Runner Up
Contemporary Dancing Techniques - Champion
1990 Sri Lankan Youth Clubs Cultural Competition (All Island)
Kandyan Dancing - Champion
1990 Sri Lankan Youth Clubs Cultural Competition (Electoral Level)
Kandyan Dancing Champion Folk Dancing (Jana Natum) - Champion
1989 State Youth Services Contemporary Dancing Techniques competition - Champion
1988 All island inter school dance & ballet competition - Champion
