A study on Bali Śāntikarma in Sri Lanka with special reference to musical communication of up-country tradition

Abstract

Bali Śāntikarma is a major cultural aspect of Sri Lanka. Common meaning of the word Bali is humble offerings people do for gods. Udarata Bali, Pahatarata Bali, Sabaragamu Bali, Nuvara Kalāviya Bali and Ūva Bali are the main traditional Bali streams in Sri Lanka. Up-country Bali Śāntikarma has diffused in Kandy, Matale, Kurunegala (Sath Koralaya) and Kegalle (Sathara Koralaya) areas. This research is based on up-country Bali Śāntikarma. Research has been done with four main generations of up-country tradition. They were Amunugama generation, Matale Kotambe generation, Kandy Thiththapajjala generation and Kurunegala Wandurassegama generation.  As qualitative research, the sampling method of non-probability technique and purposive sampling method were used by selecting a group of people who have knowledge about particular research area. In-depth Interviews were conducted using inductive probing to get a deep knowledge about the research area. Oral history interviews were also used to collect information on historical events to focus on a wide scope. The other data collection method was observation. Basically, unstructured observation method and non-participant observation method were used in overt observation type. Mainly Grounded Theory method was conducted as major analytical method. It is also designed to use analytical methods of Interpretive Phenomenological analysis, Discourse analysis, Analytic Induction. The Narrative analysis was also conducted in the context of interviews and informal conversations. The research proves that most of the stanzas are written according to a specific “Vruta”. Therefore, performers sing them in different tunes and different rhythmic cycles. Melodies of stanzas and rhythmic system are uncommon and hard to analyze. Melodies have been composed using only three or four consecutive musical notes. They have been created basically using 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8 and 7/8 rhythmic cycles.

KEYWORDS: bali, oblation, śāntikarma, udarata, vruta