Cultural Continuity in the Digital Age: Archiving and Digitizing Sri Lankan Traditional Dance Practices

Abstract

The rapid development and change of digital technologies have transformed the ways in which culture is produced, transmitted and consumed. Specially in developing countries, like Sri Lanka digital communication systems provide not merely occasions for economic upswing but also strong tool for preservation of culture. This research studies how Sri Lankan traditional dance like, Kandyan, Low country and Sabaragamuwa dance can be merged into digital as an opportunity to sustaining heritage and intercultural dialogue promotion. The central research question leading this study is: How can Sri lankan Traditional dance be preserved and promoted through digital platforms such as YouTube and TikTok while safeguarding its cultural authenticity? By consuming with students of Dance and Drama faculty, University of Visual and performing Arts, Sri Lanka, the research seeks the authentic experiences of young professionals who overcome between both tradition and technology. Particular attention is given to both YouTube and TikTok, that are most consuming platforms forming how Sri Lankan traditional dance is represented in digital era. Research methodology consuming a qualitative research approach and the research draws on semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, observations and content analysis of digital dance materials. Research findings provide that these platforms develop important opportunities for global visibility, education of culture and new innovations. However, this study found not merely advantages but also disadvantages. Including authenticity concerns, commercialization, digital imbalance, and distractions of ritual meanings. University students demonstrated confidence on the TikTok and YouTube role in cultural preservation but they highlighted the requirement for sensitive context approaches that protect the depth meaning of traditional practices. This research approached by Cultural Studies theory and Diffusion of Innovation theory, which these two theories together deliver a framework to evaluate how traditional dance is represented on YouTube and TikTok platforms and how practitioners assumed new technologies. This research helps to argue about the intersection of culture and technology in Sri Lanka, providing significant insights for policy development for culture, heritage education and innovation of digital platforms. This research concludes that when used responsibly via digital systems like YouTube and TikTok can act a transformative role in preserving Sri Lankan traditional dance if instructed by ethical, inclusive and frameworks of culturally grounded.