Introduction

 

Sri Lanka has a long and rich tradition of rock and wall paintings, extending possibly from prehistoric times, and at least from the 2^nd 3^rd century BC to the 20^th century. The great majority of these paintings are found in Buddhist contexts in monasteries and temples.

The exhibition of the Mural Art of Sri Lanka provides a cross section of the remains of this pictorial tradition in chronological order which apart from the Primitive rock art associated with Prehistoric and Vedda tribes, constitutes the classical, the early mediaeval and late mediaeval times. The classical art of the well-known 5^th century Sigiriya ‘apsaras’ remains unchallenged in the Sri Lankan pictorial tradition. Among the post classical and early mediaeval paintings are the religious murals of the 12^th century wall paintings of the Tivanka Pilimage at Polonnaruva. This tradition seems to have continued through to the Kandyan period. The late mediaeval temple painting between the 18^th and 19^th centuries are the most prolific products spead over the whole island. The upcountry murals of the viharas at Dambulla, Ridivihara, Medavala, Degaldoruwa, Hindagala etc. and those of the maritime areas such as Kelaniya, Kataluva, Mirissa, Telvatta etc some of the temples of which are seen in the exhibition, would throw light on this late period.

Theme

Represent Evolution of Sri Lankan cave & wall paintings.

Aim

Preserving the paintings that were damage by natural effects & insects.