Culture is something that is organic and evolving. However, in the case of the visual culture of Sinhela Buddhists, there are many elements of this culture that requires preservation or conservation in its original form, owing to its exceptional grandeur and richness. There may be other elements of our culture that may be further improved by adaptation, change and development.

As far as visual culture is concerned, the Sinhela Buddhist cultural heritage is best reflected in the ancient historic sites of Sri Lanka. In the series of Visual Cultural Exhibitions that we have designed, our focus is on historic sites with exceptional paintings that are visually significant, aesthetically pleasing, spiritually satisfying, and educationally meaningful These are essentially outstanding works of art found in Buddhist temples and monasteries in particular. These historic sites are scattered throughout the country.

These paintings represent a period that exceeds 2200 years from the time of the arrival of Venerable Mahinda Maha Rahathan Vahanse in the 3rd century BCE. The UNESCO has designated some of these Buddhist sites as World Heritage Sites owing to the artistic and aesthetic marvels found in these sites.

SINHELA BUDDHIST CULTURAL HERITAGE

Paintings, sculpture, architecture, and other forms of fine arts were used profusely in Sri Lanka, from very early times. This was a way of expressing Buddhist ideas and sentiment. The exceptionally rich heritage of visual arts of the Sinhela people of Sri Lanka extends to a period that exceeds 2200 years, from about 247 BCE or 3rd century BCE to the 21st CE.

The Sinhela has been the dominant community of Sri Lanka from historic times. Paintings form a dominant component of the heritage of the Sinhela people. A spectacular collection of ancient sculpture and architecture further adorns the island’s Buddhist visual culture. Buddhism, which was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE, was the primary source of inspiration and influence for artists, sculptors and architects of the country. The life of the Buddha, Jataka Tales based on former lives of the Buddha, and the teachings of the Buddha were the predominant themes of ancient artistic pursuits including paintings.

The classical style of Sinhela art is naturalistic, exemplifying a transformation of nature by imaginative contemplation. Paintings show a highly tasteful use of a variety of colours and a skilful depiction of facial expressions of the figures.

Ancient secular paintings are also characterized by a strong spiritual predisposition, and are of great aesthetic appeal. Most are considered as masterpieces of human creative ingenuity and imagination. The outstanding quality of these ancient paintings was a determining factor in the identification of World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka by the UNESCO. According to the UNESCO, 1037 Buddhist temples with paintings older than a 100 years, have been discovered in Sri Lanka.

ART TRADITIONS AND THEMES

The evolution of different art traditions reflects a subtle blending of several styles, techniques and approaches, unique to Sri Lanka. A fascinating array of symbols and symbolic expressions are used in these artistic pursuits.

Themes of most paintings are based on the life and teachings of the Buddha and on Jataka tales or tales of previous lives of the Buddha. In particular, paintings of the Classical period reveal the great adoration the artists had towards the Buddha, and the strong inspiration drawn from the Buddha’s life and teachings. Simplicity, clarity and above all, restraint in composition and expression are characteristic features of all ancient Sinhela art inspired by Buddhism. Paintings with secular themes are indicative of socio-cultural characteristics of the period.

WORLD HERITAGE SITES

The large majority of Buddhist paintings are found in Buddhist Vihara (shrines or temples) and monasteries, the best known are located in the ancient cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Sigiriya, and Mahanuwara (Kandy). These five historic sites have been designated by the UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, owing to their artistic treasures, which are considered masterpieces of human creative genius.

SEVERAL SURFACES AND LAYERS

Paintings were done on several surfaces - rock, wall, ceiling, sculpture, other structures within buildings including wooden building fixtures such as doors, ceilings, and pillars, textile, earthenware and pottery. Statues and associated structures within buildings were painted vibrantly.

Among the oldest paintings are those on rock surfaces in caves, and in relic chambers inside dagabos (stupa or pagoda). Paintings on wooden surfaces are found mostly on ceilings and doors of Buddhist shrines, ola manuscript covers, screens, boxes used to store sacred objects. In Godapitiya Raja Maha Vihare and Kadurugahamaditta Gangarama vihare are two large wooden boxes with the Dhahamsonda Jataka painted on both. There are numerous literary references to the practice of painting on cloth in Sri Lanka, from as early as the second century BC to the nineteenth century. Cloth paintings are known as “pethikada”. They provide magnificent examples of the Mahanuwara style of paintings. Dambawa vihare in the Matale district and Araththana vihare Vishnu Devale in Hanguranketa possess some exquisite pethikada paintings.

In the past, during temple restorations, new paintings were drawn on plaster applied over old paintings. Wall peelings in most old temples have revealed two or more underlying layers of ancient paintings.

HIDDEN PAINTINGS AND REPRODUCTIONS

The relic chambers and surfaces inside ancient dagabos were lavishly decorated with paintings in ancient times. Some of these (Mihintale, Mahiyangana, Dadigama) were discovered during times of excavations and dagabo restorations and some of these paintings have been reproduced on canvass by modern artists. These reproductions can be seen in the Museums of Colombo, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Mahanuwara.

ANCIENT ARTISTS

Little is known of the artists of ancient times especially on artists before the 18th century. Some information is available on artists of the Mahanuwara period, among them were a few Buddhist monks. Although ancient Sinhela artists drew inspiration from Indian creations, they did not accept Indian traditions and concepts in their entirety. Deeply inspired by Buddhism, the Sinhela artists invented and incorporated their own artistic and iconographical elements into their art. Influenced by their inner spiritual emotions and discipline, they developed their own expressions, approaches and styles which resulted in a unique artistic tradition, and a range of artistic creations that are characteristic to Sri Lanka.

PAINTING MATERIAL

On rock and wall surfaces, paintings were executed on a layer (coat) of plaster. The material used to make these layers of plaster were natural, mostly obtained from the immediate environment. Among the natural products commonly used were clay, usually a white gritty clay called locally as “makul”, and also powdered rocks such as granite, quartz and feldspar. For pigments used on these plus on other surfaces such as wood, textile and earthenware, crushed leaves, saps, paddy husks, oils, vegetal secretions, and adherent substances collected from local trees. Lamp black and ask from burnt cotton and coral were also used.

THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION

Buddhist Paintings should not be considered as mere works of art. Artistic and aesthetic appeal is an important quality of Buddhist art, but there is another significant dimension to this art – their spiritual impact. Most ancient Buddhist paintings and works of art are known to generate inner calm, and evoke serene joy and emotion among people, irrespective of their cultural background. One could merge one’s mind in these images which have the capacity to generate a mental atmosphere which is calm and composed.

Sharing and Promoting a Rich Human Heritage

We have generated a considerable amount of information and interpretations on these paintings through extensive literature reviews and investigations. Our current photo exhibitions, related presentations and publications serve as a resource for those familiar with Sri Lankan Buddhist art and for those interested in learning more on the fascinating visual cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. Our ultimate aim is to encourage inquiry and to heighten public understanding and appreciation of this rich Sinhela heritage.

Our exhibitions are places where people could see, appreciate and learn. They help to stimulate a sense of pleasure, pride and discovery, which provides an aesthetic challenge resulting in a greater cultural awareness and discernment. They will be sources of inspiration for artists of the future.

Our exhibitions are meant to serve as gathering places for the international community. They are opportunities for informed intercultural dialogue that celebrates both self-identity and pluralism. They enrich and broaden ones outlook and allows one to rejoice being a part of the global human community. This inevitably leads one to feel proud of being a Canadian, because our sense of Canadian identity derives from an understanding of our shared cultures and the richness of our collective histories.


Daya Hewapathirane, Ph.D
President: Traveling Exhibition Service:
Images of Paintings in Historic Sites of South Asia
(www.geocities.com/srilankanart).

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A Proud Indian Canadian