Sri Lanka is a country with a rich history spanning over two millennia. This has helped in the development of traditional art forms deeply rooted in history and culture of the country. Because of the major role played by Buddhism in the lives of the people it has also left an everlasting impression on the arts as well. Indian Buddhist culture introduced along with Buddhism into Sri Lanka in the 3rd century B.C has become the core of Sri Lankan culture ever since. However it has not restricted the formation of a distinctively Sri Lankan artistic style either. These artistic styles varied from kingdom to kingdom through the line of history. Each period added it’s own distinctive characteristics to the traditional art forms and has become a completely priceless inheritance that we can see today.
Dance of Sri Lanka
The concept of dancing in Sri Lanka started as a response to fear of natural power which people believed as the supernatural. Dance was established in Sri Lanka during the 4th century B.C for the purpose of expelling natural disasters, sickness and so on. The South Indian influence came into Sri Lanka at the end of Polonnaruwa period (15th century A.D.), and was adopted into our folk dancing. As time passed, a dancing form was developed that varied from each other according to regional and local traditions. Today, there are three principal dancing forms that can be seen in Sri Lanka:
Kandyan Dancing: This is a form of dance that has developed from the Kandyan period. Today is regarded as the national dance of Sri Lanka. The dance imitates movements of animals as there are dancing of elephant and peacock, for example, and also depicts scenes of Ramayana epic or stories of kings and heroes. The costumes used by the Kandyan dancers are striking and colordul; male dancers wear a skirt-like garment with their bare chests decorated with exquisitely silver regalia and spectacular headgear; silver bangles are also worn on the arms and ankles. The performance is companied with hectic rhythms of drums called "gata beraya".
Low country dance: These are highly ritualistic dances and performed to appease evil spirits which cause sickness. The dancers wear masks depicting many characters varied in forms of bird, demons, reptiles, etc.
Sabaragamuwa dances: The dances are usually performed in Ratnapura, relating to the worshipping of God Saman much revered by local people.
Handicrafts of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has gained a reputation worldwide for it’s traditional and exquisite handicrafts. An extensive variety of handicrafts represent the richly craftsmanship tradition which can be traced back as long as the nation's existence. Tourists visiting Sri Lanka can find an excellent collection of Sri Lankan handicrafts in shops and stores throughout the country.
Mask: Masks are facial decorative wear used in Sri Lankan dancing. It is believed that masks provide curative power for physiological problems and they were used in rituals, dramas, and curing sickness. Most of these masks are made forma light wood called kaduru and hand carved into various characters. The knowledge and skills of carving is usually passed from generation to generation.
Pottery: Pottery is one of the oldest crafts in Sri Lanka. It is still a thriving industry making cooking pots and utensil, which are still used by many people. In addition to pots, more intricate products likes terracotta figures, carved vases, ornamental figurines are made as souvenirs for tourists.
Batiks: Even though it is an Indonesian art from batik making has developed in Sri Lanka into its unique style. Tourists can find a wide variety of batiks sold throughout the island. Some of the best and most original are the batik pictures made in Kandy and Fresco Batiks on the Peradeniya road outside Kandy.
Jewelary: Sri Lanka produces excellent jewelry which considerably benefits its own economy. There are two traditions of jewelry making: Galle tradition and Kandyan tradition. The Galle tradition is characterized by its precious stones while the Kandyan tradition is featured by its intricate metal work, especially silver work.
Architecture of Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan architecture, like most other forms of Sri Lankan art forms, is closely based on religious beliefs, primarily, Buddhism. In addition to Buddhism, Hinduism is another important influence on Sri Lankan architecture represented by the Hindu temples and. Since Sri Lanka has been occupied by three generations of colonization, beginning with the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch and finally the British, the architecture in Sri Lanka has been developed and influenced by those three culture though the course of time. The colonial legacy as seen in ancient colonial buildings in the country even enhances the charm of Sri Lanka. So to say that, Sri Lanka is a place where different cultures have intertwined together, creating harmony and at the same time the uniqueness of Sri Lanka.
Dance of Sri Lanka
The concept of dancing in Sri Lanka started as a response to fear of natural power which people believed as the supernatural. Dance was established in Sri Lanka during the 4th century B.C for the purpose of expelling natural disasters, sickness and so on. The South Indian influence came into Sri Lanka at the end of Polonnaruwa period (15th century A.D.), and was adopted into our folk dancing. As time passed, a dancing form was developed that varied from each other according to regional and local traditions. Today, there are three principal dancing forms that can be seen in Sri Lanka:
Kandyan Dancing: This is a form of dance that has developed from the Kandyan period. Today is regarded as the national dance of Sri Lanka. The dance imitates movements of animals as there are dancing of elephant and peacock, for example, and also depicts scenes of Ramayana epic or stories of kings and heroes. The costumes used by the Kandyan dancers are striking and colordul; male dancers wear a skirt-like garment with their bare chests decorated with exquisitely silver regalia and spectacular headgear; silver bangles are also worn on the arms and ankles. The performance is companied with hectic rhythms of drums called "gata beraya".
Low country dance: These are highly ritualistic dances and performed to appease evil spirits which cause sickness. The dancers wear masks depicting many characters varied in forms of bird, demons, reptiles, etc.
Sabaragamuwa dances: The dances are usually performed in Ratnapura, relating to the worshipping of God Saman much revered by local people.
Handicrafts of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has gained a reputation worldwide for it’s traditional and exquisite handicrafts. An extensive variety of handicrafts represent the richly craftsmanship tradition which can be traced back as long as the nation's existence. Tourists visiting Sri Lanka can find an excellent collection of Sri Lankan handicrafts in shops and stores throughout the country.
Mask: Masks are facial decorative wear used in Sri Lankan dancing. It is believed that masks provide curative power for physiological problems and they were used in rituals, dramas, and curing sickness. Most of these masks are made forma light wood called kaduru and hand carved into various characters. The knowledge and skills of carving is usually passed from generation to generation.
Pottery: Pottery is one of the oldest crafts in Sri Lanka. It is still a thriving industry making cooking pots and utensil, which are still used by many people. In addition to pots, more intricate products likes terracotta figures, carved vases, ornamental figurines are made as souvenirs for tourists.
Batiks: Even though it is an Indonesian art from batik making has developed in Sri Lanka into its unique style. Tourists can find a wide variety of batiks sold throughout the island. Some of the best and most original are the batik pictures made in Kandy and Fresco Batiks on the Peradeniya road outside Kandy.
Jewelary: Sri Lanka produces excellent jewelry which considerably benefits its own economy. There are two traditions of jewelry making: Galle tradition and Kandyan tradition. The Galle tradition is characterized by its precious stones while the Kandyan tradition is featured by its intricate metal work, especially silver work.
Architecture of Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan architecture, like most other forms of Sri Lankan art forms, is closely based on religious beliefs, primarily, Buddhism. In addition to Buddhism, Hinduism is another important influence on Sri Lankan architecture represented by the Hindu temples and. Since Sri Lanka has been occupied by three generations of colonization, beginning with the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch and finally the British, the architecture in Sri Lanka has been developed and influenced by those three culture though the course of time. The colonial legacy as seen in ancient colonial buildings in the country even enhances the charm of Sri Lanka. So to say that, Sri Lanka is a place where different cultures have intertwined together, creating harmony and at the same time the uniqueness of Sri Lanka.
Source: Http://www.lankazone.com
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