Udarata Kandukara - Tea Picker's dance (Sri Lanka)

Udarata Kandukara
(Tea Plucker's Dance)
Sri Lanka- ශ්රී ලංකා -இலங்கை


Notes by Andrew Carnie, July 3, 2002, based on instruction by Samanthi Hewakupuge

Individuals in a big circle

Style: Legs turned out and far apart, knees slightly bent. Body bent slightly forward.

Tea Plucking Hand Movement: start with hands splayed open. Palm of the right hand faces body, fingers pointing down. Left hand palm faces away from body, fingers pointing up. Pull index fingers and thumbs together, other fingers remain splayed out (ct. 1) Rotate hands, resplaying fingers so that L hand faces body and fingers point down, and R hand faces out, fingers up. Pull fingers together (ct. 2) repeat (ct. 3,4)

Throwing Tea Movement: starting with palms facing away from body, turn hands towards each other until they face body. Meanwhile bend at elbows, bringing hands up above (either) shoulder (ct. 1). Bring hands down, rotating palms to face down about waist high (ct.2)


Step 1- Taking the basket out to the field

In this step you are taking your tea basket out to the field. Facing LOD.
Arms are bent at elbow, hands touch own shoulders as if holding basket on the back.

Bar 1
1, Leap onto R, crossing in front of L body turns to face left
2 Step back onto L, body faces LOD
3 Step onto R behind L
4Step in LOD with L

Bars 7-8 repeat bar 1

Step 2 - Tea Plucking
start facing center of the circle

Bar 1 -- Bent over at waist.
1 Step R into center
2 Step L into center
3 Step R into center
4 Step L into center

Finger plucking with hands

Bar 2 -- Straighten up.
1 Touch R heel to R Throwing movement to R shoulder
2 Step R
3 Touch L heel to L Throwing movement to L shoulder
4 Step L

Bar 3-4 pull RIGHT shoulder back and repeat bar 1-2 facing out
Bars 5-6 pull Right shoulder back and repeat bars 1-2
Bars 7-8 repeat bars 3-4

Step 3 Moving through the fields
Start facing out, body is upright throughout. Legs are spread out about shoulder width apart.

Bar 1 start facing out

1 Step R to R Tea Picking
2 Step L to L
3 Pivot on L foot CCW with a lift to face center, bring R foot up behind L knee' Throwing movement to R shoulder
4 Step R To R

Bar 2 start facing in
Repeat bar 1 pivoting CW
Bars 3-8 Repeat bars 1-2 three more times

Step 4 (Not usually done in I-dance group)
facing LOD

Bar 1 facing LOD
1. Step R, behind L tea picking
2 Step L, crossing over R
3Touch R heel to Diagonal R throwing movement
4Step R forward to diagonal R

Bar 2 repeat bar 1 opposite footwork and directions
Bars 3-8 repeat 1-3 3 more times

Sequence:
Step 1, 2, 3, 2, 4, 2, 1 etc.