Art

Batik Paintings Of Sri lanka

The ancient history of textiles tends to be sketchy because fabrics disintegrate in time and from weather. The exact origins of batik are uncertain. Fragments, probably of Indian origin, have been found in first century Egyptian tombs. One theory is that batik existed - and may have originated - in Asia and then spread to the Malaysian area. Examples of eighth century batik screens, probably Chinese, are preserved in Japan's Nara Museum.

Whatever its origin, batik was a highly accomplished art form in Java and Bali by the thirteenth century as a pastime for fine ladies. The hand decorated fabrics first appeared in costumes of the aristocracy and were soon used in clothing worn by the entire court.

Specific, readily recognizable motifs, patterns and colors developed. Often one design identified one family or an area. Javanese batiks were soon introduced to Europe where industrialists attempted to produce imitation batiks on a large scale, but found the cost prohibitive.

Today, the trend is to decorate the fabric any way the artist envisions; to apply design by any method, traditional or innovative, and even depart from standard procedures. Batik today is used for clothing, hangings, furnishings, relief and stuffed sculpture. It is no longer considered a "pure" art but one which can be combined with other media and methods. The driving force for the artist is to apply the technique for the end desired, rather than allowing the technique to control the artist as an end in itself.

Wall Hangings

Hand made batik, gaining popularity during recent times has provided to be an effective medium of art. It involves a process that requires the application of a wax resist to cloth which is then dyed. Choosing the right kind of art work, skilled waxing, selection and use of appropriate colours make each hand made batik an unique work of art.
               
The fluter wall hanging         Awana(The fan)             Two Face wall hanging
                                               wall hanging

Batik Wall Hangings

 

• 100% Cotton • Washable • Export quality Batiks          

Sri lanka Handicraft

Vesmuhunu(devil mask) of sri lanka

Mask used in Rituals 

In an Island famous for worshipping demons believed to be living in trees and mountains, devil masks are in popular usage for ungodly practices. Masks used in various dramatic rituals in Sri Lanka can be classified as mythological, demonic, animal-spirit and human figures. Oldest of them are animal and demonic ( or animal-cum-demonic, human-cum-demonic). The significance and designs of mythological masks are associated with iconography of the folk religions of the historical period. On the other hand, the significance and design of the human masks have been evolved in recent time. 

The authentic masks and masking traditions of Sri Lanka are extraordinary cultural phenomenon and a significant contribution Sri Lanka has made to the Asian cultural spectrum. It is indeed a puzzle as to how the Sri Lankan masks have a short history in an ancient civilization that has to date traces of hunter-gatherer type of society. The present-day Veddas, who are considered to be the primeval ancestors of the Sinhalas, have preserved various ritual ceremonies and ritual practices involving mime, facial and body painting. Some of these practices are directly connected with ancestor  worship as evidence from the na-Yaku  cult. These attempts at invoking the supernatural, are evident in other part of the world were hunter •gatherer societies still exists. 

Five categories of masks in Sri Lanka     

In the context of different usages of masks, researches have classified Sri Lankan masks are,

1 religio-magical

2 ritual-cum-spiritual

3 secular-cum-ritual

4 exorcistic

5 exocistic with ritual overtones 

The categories 1 and 2 are related to ancestor cult, faith, curative and sustenance masks, while the category 3 is related to hunting, warfare, fertility (agricultural) and memorial service masks. The category 4 are masks used are in Rites of Passage (initiation, funeral, secret society), including totems and emblems. There are occasions when the above classifications tends to mix-up. Sri Lankan masks can not be studied under the above category. But the entire ceremony is cathartic and dramatic in effect. Sri Lankan masks exists basically in three contexts in the ritual, in the ceremonial dance and in professional displays and festive occasions. 

The exorcists or curative rituals are commonly known as tovil , and include Sanni/Daha ata sanni, in which masks are extensively used: god rituals are known as Gammadu and Devolmadu where a pantheon of deities are invoked either to bring prosperity or to dispel contagious diseases, where masked dances are few and far between. There exist two other demon dance ceremonies called Mahasohon Samayama and Gara-yakuma, the former is connected with the belief in a gruesome and hairy monster of gigantic proportion, called Mahasohona, the demon of the graveyard and the letter is associated with a group of   demons referred to as Garayaku. 

In mask practices, the most important of the thovil varieties the cycle known as Sanni where disease-causing demons are symbolize through masks. But the most elaborate masks are of the kolam variety. It is more like an opera, having a central theme an a series of episodes enacted by dances wearing masks of different sizes, culminating in the dramatic presentation of a story. 

Sanni has has Sinhalese connotation of an aliment or disease. These are believe to arise out of the morbid states of the three humours-areal humour, bile and phlegm, which are cause by a set of demons, each such demon is called Sanni-yaka, but in his birth story is called Raja-mulu Sanni yaka. 

The sanni masks except that of the chief demon belong to a variety commonly known as kata munu and belong to the similar variety. In a sanni ceremony there are two types of masks, sanni masks and pali masks. Although a sanni ceremony is a healing ritual, it is more like a theatre. Since there is much dialogue in the various scenes, the sanni masks are carved with adequate provision for the mask-wearer to talk at length and have his voice heard loud and clear by the audience.






 
            Ginidella Raksha                               Naga Raksha                          

            
                  Mayura                                                    Mayura


          
              Mayura Raksha                                   Gara Raksha                               

Wooden Craft 

                                      
Traditional Srilanka Tusker                     Wooden folk & Spoon                       



                                           
Wooden Beam-Temple             Wooden Wall Hanging                Pen & Letter Holder



           5" tall Wooden Tusker

Explore the incredible array of artifacts chiseled out of wood made in Sri Lanka. The unique range of wooden handicrafts are spectral and marvelous.

Straw Items

                           
Classic Hand Bag                                Straw Hand Bag                            Letter Rack Lady



                
Eliphent decorate With          Eliphent in lanka With Paddy                Beach Mat         
          Paddy


        
            Table Mat Set                              Ladies Hand Bag

Straw craft was commonly used in the old days to produce a wide range of items indispensable for daily life. Straw handicrafts which date back to the primitive age have developed in close connection with the people's economic and cultural life of Sri Lanka.

Cconut Items

                 
Coconut Monkey                       Coconut Eliphent                        Coconut Ash Tray


Coconuts are the tropical palm tree widely cultivated in Sri Lanka. The wood of coconut which is too hard has been used in various applications since many centuries. Now our craftsmen create wonderful range of Coconut Wood Handicrafts viz. flower vases, napkin rings, candle holders etc.

Miscellaneous Items


          
              Paper Weight                           Brass 3D lion Keytag                               Red Mug


     
           Mother Srilanka Cap                  Srilanka Keytag

Sri Lanka is known world over for her handicrafts. These products are manufactured by applying age-old techniques that have been handed down from generation to generation. These artifacts are manufactured by using only the tools particular to them and from raw materials found abundant in nature.