“When we perform for entertainment, the act can be more relaxed. But if you are treating a patient, it should be done with greater caution. Because if it goes wrong, the patient will die.” Thovil, or devil dances, are ritualistic practices of healing aimed at exorcising demons that trouble a patient, whether through illness or misfortune. These rituals are believed to have originated from Southern India and were adapted by the Sinhalese. For the 16th edition of A Tapestry of Sacred Music, Buddhika Ranaweera and his company of dancers from Sri Lanka presented more than 10 different excerpts of thovil dances in Apr 2025 at the Esplanade Courtyard. Each thovil dance is believed to serve a specific purpose—for childbearing, a good harvest, even protection from witchcraft, nightmares and temporary insanity. A complete thovil ceremony, however, is often an overnight affair, as it comprises a series of dances. According to Buddhika, this is not performed often these days, as the full exper...