WOMAD Sri Lanka 2005
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The WOMAD Sri Lanka Festival of Drums was a music festival, focused on percussion and specifically drum music, held from September 21 to September 25, 2005. The festival was organized by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board.
The international line-up of performers included Billy Cobham, the Master Drummers of Burundi, Chelemba, Joji Hirota, and the Taiko Drummers. The Chemirani Zarb Trio, Yelemba D'Abidjan, the Dhol Foundation, The Bays, Wicked Aura Batucada, Totó la Momposina y sus Tambores, Asere, and Ensemble also performed. Local talent was represented by classical Kandyan dancer and choreographer Ravibandhu Vidyapathy, who brought native drumming and dance traditions to the festival.
At the end of the festival, all of the major artists participated in a grand finale. Indian drummer and composer Trilok Gurtu led this final number.
It has been argued that this festival, due to its level of international participation, drew attention to Sri Lanka's musical accomplishments.[citation needed]
