The Sri Lankan Association at Iowa State will be presenting a Rangana Thaala event at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Rangana Thaala means “rhythms of dance” in Sinhala, the national language of Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Association president Thilina Weerasekera and society member Vidhushi Rambukwella said the night is an opportunity for Sri Lankan students to display the origins and diversity of their national culture.

Rambukwella explained that the Sri Lankan Association has been a part of Iowa State for over almost two decades, but the group has lacked the membership to produce a large show like this. She explained that the current show has been planned and developed since before the Sri Lankan Association received funding from the Government of the Student Body for the event last semester.

“It has been in the making for a long time,” Weerasekera said.

The costumes and props for the event have all been made by group members, and Sri Lankan performers from across the Midwest will be performing at Rangana Thaala.

“We’ve been practicing [the dances] since January,” Rambukwella said.

She said the Sri Lankan Association wants to show that Sri Lanka has a vibrant culture independent from India.

A history of Portuguese, Dutch and English colonial rule has created a varied and independent culture. The dances in Rangana Thaala will show influences from all of these periods.

Tickets to the event are $15 and can be purchased at the ticket office in the Memorial Union, or online by e-mailing [email protected]. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door as well.

Anyone may attend the event and observe the dances for free. Ticket prices cover the cost of the eight-course Sri Lankan meal that accompanies the performance.

Rambukwella said the event is not a fundraiser. The group will likely lose some money on the event, she said, but the goal is to help others celebrate the culture of Sri Lanka.