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AN EXHIBITION AND
FILM SHOW
- UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
A Photographic Exhibition and a documentary film show on the Heritage of
Buddhist Art of Sri Lanka
were held from May 20 to 30th 2005, at the University
of Toronto’s prestigious
Robarts Library. Facilitated by the University
of Toronto, these public events
were organized and presented by the Traveling Exhibition Service, A Canadian
organization based in Brampton, Ontario
(www.kalaava.com), as a part of the grand celebration of 100 years of
Buddhism in Canada,
facilitated by the University of
Toronto.
A group of cheerful and well informed youth volunteers, mostly university
students from the University of
Toronto,
York, and Ryerson conducted the
exhibition serving as guides and coordinators of the events. They designed,
organized and presented the Cultural Festival that initiated the Exhibition,
in a manner that was in every respect professional.
BUDDHIST CULTURAL FESTIVAL
Here, the festive inauguration of the Exhibition was marked by the colourful
Buddhist Cultural Festival presented on May 21st, 2005, attended by many special invitees where
many aspects of the fascinating visual cultural heritage of Sri
Lanka were displayed.
The Cultural festival included traditional drumming, musical recitals, a
slide show on ancient Sinhela sculpture and architecture, and an assortment
of traditional dances performed by youth and little children. Among the
talented performers were artists reputed in the community such as Latha
Dissanayake and Sampath Edirisinghe. Young Praneeth Alawatte stunned the
audience with his traditional drumming, and the awe inspiring blending of the
sounds of the veena and tabla by Dhuwaraka Sivathasam and Mitra Ramlakhan was
breathtaking. The diverse dance forms of Sri
Lanka presented by lovely Bakthi
Deeyadaha, Janani Nithiyeswaran, Natalie Garth, Rebecca Hettige and Keesha
Jinadasa were spectacular.
THE EXHIBITION
The ten day Exhibition event was planned as a place where people could see,
appreciate and learn; a place that stimulates a sense of pleasure, pride and
discovery; as an experience, which provides an aesthetic challenge resulting
in a greater cultural awareness and discernment. It provided considerable
opportunities for intercultural dialogue and appreciation by the diversity of
visitors. Besides, judged by the reaction of some visitors, this event
generated a good amount of interest in conserving and promoting these
priceless treasures.
Inevitably, the range of art techniques and styles
evident in the artistic masterpieces of Sri
Lanka’s World Heritage Sites were of
particular interest to contemporary art enthusiasts and creative artists who
were present, and were looking for inspiration for innovative artistic
ventures.
Presenting over 300 enlarged photographs this exhibition
provided a comprehensive perspective of Sri
Lanka’s rich heritage of Buddhist
art, which spans over a period that exceeds 2200 years. It was displayed in
the form of a visual pilgrimage to many Buddhist sites of Sri
Lanka, including World Heritage Sites with
exquisite paintings. It highlighted the richness of the visual arts inspired
by Buddhism and the Buddhist tradition.
Buddhist paintings are among the most gentle and sublime
art of mankind. They are among the oldest surviving art of the historic
period in the Indian subcontinent from the 3rd century BCE
when the Great Indian Emperor Ashoka was instrumental in the spread of
Buddhism to Sri Lanka
and all over Asia. Sri
Lanka became the centre of the earlier
Theravada Order of Buddhism from where the Buddhist tradition traveled to the
countries of South-East Asia. The religion and the art
associated with it had a transforming effect on the countries which it
reached and, till today, the art heritage of Buddhism flourishes in the Asian
continent.
SINHELA BUDDHIST HERITAGE
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.
Paintings form a dominant component of the heritage of Sinhela Buddhists. A
spectacular collection of ancient sculpture and architecture further adorns
the conspicuous elements of the island’s Sinhela Buddhist culture.
For some 2500 years, the Sinhela people inhabited Sri
Lanka as its dominant community. Up to the
16th century, the Sinhela people accounted for over 99% of the population and
all were Buddhists. The Sinhela people amount to 74% of the present
population of 19.24 million. Almost all Buddhists are of Sinhela origin. Of
all Sinhela people, about 95% are Buddhists. At present, Buddhists in Sri
Lanka account for 70% of the total
population.
HISTORIC SITES
Innumerable ancient sites with paintings are scattered throughout the country
– north, south, east and west, in the hill country and the coastal
areas. The large majority of Buddhist paintings are found in Buddhist
‘vihare’ (shrine) and monasteries, the best known are those in
ancient cities such as Anuradhapura,
Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Sigiriya, and Mahanuwara (Kandy).
All these cities were designated by the UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, owing
to their artistic treasures, considered as masterpieces of human creative
genius. Most of these sites are ‘Raja Maha Viharas’ or Buddhist
temples established by Sinhela kings, or which received their patronage in
ancient times. UNESCO has identified 1037 shrines with paintings which are
more than 100 years old.
PAINTING SURFACES
Paintings are found on ancient cave and rock surfaces, walls, ceilings,
doors, wooden surfaces, statues and other sculpture, pottery/earthenware and
on textiles. Some found in cave temples are over 2000 years old and some more
than a 1000 years old. Most of the earliest paintings are found in a
fragmentary form. Among the oldest paintings are those on rock surfaces in
caves, and walls of relic chambers inside ‘dagabo’ or ‘stupa’
(pagoda).
THEMES OF PAINTINGS
The predominant themes of ancient artistic pursuits including paintings, were
the life of the Buddha, ‘Jataka Tales’ based on former lives of
the Buddha, and the teachings of the Buddha. Paintings reveal the great
adoration the artists had towards the Buddha and the strong inspiration drawn
from the Buddha’s life and teachings. Buddhist paintings have a strong
impact on one’s inner spirit, transforming your mind to a state of
innocence and overflowing compassion, joy and peacefulness. According to the
Buddha’s teachings, developing tranquility of mind is fundamental to
the development of wisdom.
FAMILIES OF ARTISTS
Little is known of the artists of the ancient times especially about artists
before the 18th century. During the 18th - 19th centuries, there were
families of artists with their own traditions and techniques of art. There
were traditional schools of art or groups of artists headed by a well-known
prominent artist. They were referred to as “Gurukula”. There were
generations of artists in each Gurukula. There were several such gurukula
groups during the 18th – 19th centuries (the Mahanuwara period of art).
Each gurukula had developed and followed their own art forms and techniques.
PAINTING MATERIAL
Paintings were done on a layer of plaster applied over various types of
surfaces such as rock, walls and ceilings and sometimes on wooden surfaces
such as ceilings. Material used in all surfaces were natural, most obtained
from the immediate environment. Some of these products were boiled and
processed in different ways in order to obtain necessary shades of colours.
PERIODS OF ART
Based on general differences in art traditions the following major periods of
art can be identified:
(1) Classical Period
(a) Anuradhapura Period : 3rd century BCE to 10th c.CE
(b) Polonnaruwa Period : 11th to 13th c. CE
(2) PERIOD OF CHANGING CAPITALS : 13th to 17th c.CE
(3) MAHANUWARA : 18th to 19th c. CE
(4) MODERN PERIOD: 20th Century onwards
THE CLASSICAL PERIOD
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. With the exclusion of Sigiriya, most of the
surviving ancient paintings of the Classical Period such as those of the
Tivanka Pilimage in Polonnaruwa, are found in fragmentary form. Most were
destroyed when foreigners invaded the Sinhela kingdoms of Sri
Lanka.
PERIOD OF CHANGING CAPITALS
Political instability of this period had a negative impact on people’s
artistic initiatives. South Indian invaders plundered local settlements and
inflicted widespread damage to Buddhist temples and
MAHANUWARA (KANDYAN) PERIOD
Paintings of the 18th-19th centuries (Mahanuwara Period) exhibit a
predominantly stylized form, referred to by art professionals as
‘abstract symbolism’. It is a unique art form of great appeal,
with its own dynamics and structural properties.
THE MODERN PERIOD
Important sites with enchanting modern paintings are the Kelani Raja Maha
Vihare, Gotami Vihare, and Bellanwila Vihara. Several modern artists and
photographers have contributed to the conservation of ancient paintings by
producing near perfect reproductions on canvas and some commendable photographic
reproductions.
THE DOCUMENTARY FILM SHOW
In parallel with the Exhibition was the screening of a Documentary Film
titled “Arts of the Ancient World: Heritage of Buddhist Paintings of Sri
Lanka”, produced by the Traveling
Exhibition Service, with the outstanding Art Direction of young Arjuna
Samarakoon (22) of Trillion Design Inc. of Toronto.
This film which happened to be a sensation for many, was screened on May 21,
22, 28, and 29th, 2005. Some of the narrative scripts of the exhibition are
presented on unique backgrounds much in-keeping with the spirit and flair of
the exhibits. With abstracts of images of historic paintings and monuments,
Arjuna Samarakoon skillfully uses a technique that could be termed as
post-modern artistic extrapolation.
The documentary film on exquisite paintings in historic
sites of Sri Lanka,
focused on the World Heritage Sites. The objective behind the film shown to a
largely international audience in Canada,
was to bring about increased awareness of the richness of the visual cultural
heritage of Sri Lanka.
As expected is provided a congenial setting for the cordial interaction of
different communities, and a stimulating way to promote intercultural
dialogue.
It was an occasion for those interested in art and art
history, and for creative artists in general, to enjoy and draw inspiration
from, an array of art work that are of great aesthetic appeal. It was an
occasion where art enthusiasts interacted freely and were sharing
observations and feelings on Sri Lankan art.
For many, this film was an exciting experience, providing
them with a glimpse of a fascinating aspect of the cultural heritage of Sri
Lanka. These paintings elicit vividly the
richness of imagination, creativity, aesthetic sense and inspiration of Sri
Lankan artists.
SHARING AND PROMOTING A RICH HUMAN HERITAGE
The Exhibition and the Film Show were organized as a places where people
could see, appreciate and learn, where people may be stimulated with a sense
of pleasure, pride and discovery, thereby providing them with an aesthetic
challenge resulting in a greater cultural awareness and discernment. The
exhibition and film show were planned as a source of inspiration for artists
of the future.
They became gathering places for the Canadian international
community, enabling opportunities for informed intercultural dialogue,
celebrating both self-identity and pluralism. It was the opinion of art
professionals who visited the exhibition and saw the film, that they helped
to enrich and broaden their outlook and allowed them to rejoice being a part
of the global human community.
SERENE JOY AND EMOTION
We are hopeful that our endeavors will generate increased awareness of the
richness of this cultural heritage, and lead to greater interest in its conservation.
Being a Canadian of Sri Lankan descent, initiatives of this nature which Canada
encourages, inevitably makes me feel good about being a Canadian. Canada
has been the meeting place of all cultures of the world and also a place
where these cultures are well nurtured. Our sense of Canadian identity
derives from an understanding of our shared cultures and the richness of our
collective histories.
THE PRESENTATION
This was one of several exhibitions presented by the Traveling Exhibition
Service (www.kalaava.com). With our pioneering low-light photography of
ancient paintings, I believe that my son Sesath and I, subsequently joined by
Arjuna Samarakoon, have succeeded in capturing the true and luminous colours
of the enchanting paintings more clearly than ever done before. We are
delighted that our work has been acclaimed by professional artists and
photographers who were among our visitors, for the extremely sensitive
photography of Buddhist art providing a deep insight into the gentle and
compassionate message of the art.
Dr. Daya Hewapathirane
Director General: Traveling Exhibition Service
June 08, 2005
COMMENTS OF OUR VISITORS
• A most impressive photo documentation. Completely
unique – We had a detailed tour by Yoshani DeSilva.
Robert Siebelhoff
• Thank you for such a wonderful introduction to
Sri Lankan Art. The tour was informative, the people receptive and pleasant
to talk to. We look forward to seeing the documentary film tonight.
Razmiera Justin (inelligeble)
• Thank you so much for the personal tour of the
exhibition. You have inspired us to visit these wonderful sites ourselves as
soon as we can. Your images of sculpture and paintings are truly stunning!
With Thanks
Mary & Ron Dergh (inelligeble)
• This is really fantastic. I enjoyed it very much.
Great work.
Loles (inelligeble)
• A really powerful display. Pity my students
can’t attend as a group for the great learning experience - self
identity and self esteem!
M. Chang
• Wonderful exhibit! Students very helpful and
enthusiastic!! Spread this cultural exhibit throughout Canada
for others to enjoy.
B... (inelligeble)
• I found the exhibit overwhelming – a
revelation, not only the beauty and elegance – the sheer extent and
variety – and exuberance and vitality.
James Beckmann
• I enjoyed the documentary film tremendously. The
use of colour and the beautiful design work are simply wonderful. I have two
suggestions for editing. 1. the music in the first section employing the mail
narrator drowns out his voice. 2. the word capitals is misspelled several
times. Best wishes to you in finding a venue for future exhibits.
Michelle Farell
• Both events were very enriching and have opened
my eyes to such an artistic and spiritual culture. The movie was very
informative and detailed towards Buddhist art and culture and has kindled a
greater interest in understanding the different symbols and representations
used in Buddhist art work. Participating in the art exhibition was truly and
honour and privilege.
Mitra Ramlakhan
• Excellent presentation. Very interesting,
informative and beautiful work.
Angela Colm
• Wow! I was very impressed about the quality of
the production
(inelligeble)
• Good luck guys!!! You were moved from the heart in undertaking this
project. (keep it up)
Michael Banate (inelligeble)
• Very educational and personally interesting to
learn about Buddhist history and art in Sri Lanka. A very good documentary
and surprising that it is a pioneer effort. I’m impressed about the
talent of everyone who worked on this project
Sujhan P. (inelligeble)
• As an artist I am overwhelmed by the time it took
to paint all these surfaces. I have been reading and studying Buddhism for
the past year and finally found the spiritual outlet I needed – I thank
you for the tour and much enjoyed this exhibition.
Cynthia Lineel (inelligeble)
• It’s wonderful! To get in the
buddha’s realm through the exhibition! Best wishes to keep going on!
The compassionate heart
Luat Tran
• It’s good to see something which is
spirituality instead of just high technology and science. This exhibition
brings me one more step forward towards Buddhism. Nowadays people really need
this kind of information though they don’t think so. Keep going!! Alan
• The most beautiful paintings of love, peace,
enlightenment, devotion and all that is good in our world. Thank You. Peace,
love and Blessings
Kathy Mstapha- Ali (CTS Televistion)
• Thank You very much for letting me have a good
chance to view all these valuable historical remains. I am a visual artist,
so you will understand how I appreciate this exhibition. Also as a Buddhist
this exhibition is very important to me – educationally and in terms of
appreciation of art. Thanks for all you hard work and look forward to see you
next year.
Miranda Mak (Canadian Multicultural Links Assosiation)
• I am moved by the delicacy of detail, the
richness of colour, texture and motif and the endurance of the materials over
time
Mosa Meshma Mcnelly (inelligeble)
• Quite encouraging. Lots of efforts put.
Thanks…., we viewers speak for you
Nishtha Rajiv Dhiman
• A wonderful experience seeing the photos was
almost being in front of the images. May this exhibit continue to delight and
inform wherever it can go.
Dr. Carol Farkas (inelligeble)
• This is really fantastic. I enjoyed it very much.
Great work.
Loles (inelligeble)
• Really powerful display. Pity my students cant
attend as a group for this great learning experience it could be for self
identity and self –esteem!
• The photographs are amazing. Sorry I missed the
documentary film. Hopefully the documentary film contains the history of the
rich culture.
Loretta Wong
M.Chang
• A wonderful exhibit! Students were helpful and
enthusiastic! Spread this great cultural exhibit throughout Canada for others
to enjoy!
B. (inelligeble)
• We appreciate the art at you exhibit. It is great job and big success
to Sri Lanka.
G. (inelligeble)
• Impressive exhibition.
Evelyn Chan
• Thank You very much for the comprehensive exhibit
that are exquisite and informative and educational. Enjoyed the Tour given by
Yoshani and Discussion with Daya
Frank Yong
• I really enjoyed ancient Buddhist Paintings and
Statues in Sri Lanka. These are all beautiful and attract my interest. For
sure I would travel to Sri Lanka to see them in an year.
Takashi Igarashi
• Very informative and extremely interesting. A
spectacular exhibition! I would definitely recommend this show case to
friends and family who take interest in the Buddhist Tradition in South-East
Asia.
Sydney Trang
• I would like to keep in touch about future
exhibitions. I belong to an art gallery and interested in various art work
Kathy Mac Isaac
• Please send me information on Jataka
Al Karim Dharsee
• It’s a one of a kind exhibit, rare historic
serene images photographed in one of the most remote areas of the world for
all of us to enjoy and appreciate.
Neal Van Meter
• Excellent Presentation. Should be shown on
Program “Opening Night” Thursday Night on CBC.
(inelligeble)
• Excellent visual quality and contour supports the
magnificent contents of the film. Minor auditory problems in presentation
– could not always undertand the male voice in early part of the film
– I think technical problems with the equipment. Otherwise, its
perfect.
Neil Van Meter
• Thanks for this wonderful film you enabled me to
see. Such an impressive and spiritual art of Sri Lanka. As a person
interested greatly in Buddhism I was really impressed on all the art and
I’d only encourage people to visit Sri Lanka. Thank you so much.
Christine Hiratsuka
• Wonderful! Best Wishes to success & spiritual
harmony
Luat Tran
• Magnificent cultural and religious achievements.
Deserves greater knowledge!!
Robert Siebelhoff
• Very interesting. I had not known any of the
history of Sri Lanka it’s art. This gave me some of both.
George Bacon
• Very interesting and fascinating. I enjoyed the
documentary very much. It is very interesting to see Buddhist art to compare
to those of China. Thank you. Great work.
Lery Lieng Chun (inelligeble)
• It is a wonderful exhibition. Third time I saw in
Toronto. Promoting our culture to the world through our Buddhist Photos of
Paintings is unique venture. Sri Lankan’s must be proud of your
scholarly works. All the best in your future endeavours too.
C.S Poolokasingham (Consul General, Sri Lanka in Toronto)
• Once again, you’ve have done us Sri Lankans
living here as one Nation, proud! The Show you have put up this time around
is even greater and better! But the greatest thing about your flashing vision
is that now it has got wings and there’s a whole community to help you soar…
for the love of the country that have all of us, you and me, a name and
identity! Congratulations and Best Wishes.
Aloy Perera
• I think I would underestimating my feelings if I
say that you have done a fantastic job, organizing an exhibition of this
nature. At times I was simply spellbound – to say the least. Please
carry on the good work. We wish you well.
Anonymous Sri Lankans
• It’s a pleasure to be here today and enjoy
this incredible Buddhist painting exhibition after a long time. With thank
you so much for taking us 2500 years back and sharing the historical
information.
Anushka & Bimal Abeywardena
• I was highly impressed by the great work you have done. Even though
I’m a Sri lanka by origin and have tried to visit most of these temples
while I was there, there was so much that we missed and I should note that
some paintings that were exhibited were very rare ones, those of which caught
my mere attention. It made me realized ones again of the great heritage we do
hold but are not aware of. In a time where ancient things are fading away
gradually and especially in a foreign country, what you have done is
marvelous. But also the short but really factual and interesting lectures,
gave me a glimpse of many things I didn’t know. This step taken by you
to value our ancient Buddhist paintings is both a great asset to us Lankans
and foreigners living here. How beautiful these paintings are I simply feel
inexpressible to describe them. They so attractive and thank you so much for
all your hard work valuable time and money you spent in order to make this
event a success.
Dilini Jayasinghe
• I really enjoyed this event. The paintings you
have brought here are so beautiful. Your effort was certainly successful.
Wish you all the best in continuing this kind of great events to value are
ancient heritage. Thank you.
Asoka Perrera
• I enjoyed the tour of the exhibition. I
understood more about the pictures with the explanations about them and it
made me enjoy and appreciate more. I enjoyed the modern paintings and the pictures
of Sigiria. I like looking at the pictures in order because it made more
sense.
Anushie Mahavitane
• I like the items in the exhibition. Daya did a
good job exhibiting these rare valuable paintings which reflect our religion
and culture. It made me proud to show the whole world about our religion and
culture.
Kushlan Seneviratne
• Very well organized to demonstrate how Buddhist
art has evolved over the centuries. Pictures are breathtaking and
inspirational. Now when I visit the temples I will have a basic understanding
and appreciation of Buddhist culture.
Nilu Mahavitane
• Thank you very much for the exhibition of photo
images of Buddhist paintings. I enjoyed it.
Nimna Fernando
• I am so glad that Quintus and I were able to make
time even on the last day to visit City Hall. All of us visit these Temples
and marvel at the paintings and architecture, but we have never had such
detailed information to go along with what we have seen in terms of Buddhist
culture. The long hours of research, dedication and the obvious love of
history has made this Exhibition and eye opener to all of us. In short, it
was and AWESOME EXHIBITION!
Quintus & Krishanthi Ratnayake
• Nice movie, it would be nice to have something
available online for further information.
Rodrigo
• It was a great pleasure to be a part of this
event
Predeep Waragoda
• The arts are exhibited really well and we enjoyed
a lot seeing the heritage of Buddhist pictures. Hard work and effort was well
worth for reverse.
Lucky and champa Viswakula
• Great step taken to show the Sri Lanka culture
and the art to the world.
Thusitha Weerasuriya
• It’s a great exhibition. Keep it up.
Chanaka Gausaethige (inelligeble)
• It is really great that a culture and art that as
these are being promoted in a foreign country like Canada.
Shri
• Great effort, wonderful presentation. Thank you
very much.
Ranjan & Neru Weerasinghe
• Very interesting, good work, enjoyed very much.
Rupi Wadugodapitiya
• It’s amazing to see how much work you have
put into this project! I thoroughly enjoyed it as it brought back so many,
many memories. I hope you will continue and make more of these available to
us!! Congratulations one job. Well done.
Krishanthi Ratnayake
• Arju….Very well done. Enriching experience,
looking forwart to any future films…
K.B.
• WOW! That was so good .. we really found most
interesting and educational. Exceptionally good.
Dinuk & Nadine
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