Funday Times

Gaveshaka has a close look at the regalia
The Dutch gift to King Vimala Dharma Suriya II
The last historic capital of the Sinhala kings, ‘Senkadagalapura’ or Kandy is located in a central valley of unsurpassable natural beauty and salubrious climate. Much of the city and periphery of Kandy is surrounded by the meandering River Mahaweli while the ranges of hills encompassing the valley form a natural defense system. The lake 'Kiri Muhuda' laid out on the side of the palace complex by the last king Sri Vickrema Rajasinghe filled with the milky waters flowing down from the surrounding hills and the forest hermitage in the background, magnifies the natural beauty of this historic city.

You are greeted with this description as you enter the Kandy Era Gallery at the National Museum. Here is more: "The two main Buddhist monasteries 'Malwatta' and 'Asgiriya' chapters are located proximal of the palace complex. The Sacred Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) attracts thousands of Buddhists of the world to Kandy for veneration. The annual Temple pageant known as Dalada Perahera remains the cynosure par excellence of the tourists.

A large number of temples containing Kandyan murals, shrines dedicated to Buddhism, Hindu divinities as well as mosques and churches of Muslim and Christian denominations, the renowned high seat of learning, the University of Peradeniya and the Royal Botanical Gardens are indeed attractions to the city of Kandy.

Kandyan architecture is of a distinctive character both religious and domestic, and remains to this day preserving their pristine features.
Kandyan crafts continue their respective professional products having evolved into cottage industries, and much sought after by tourists.
Above all, the lifestyle of the people portrays the simple folk traditions that existed in the villages in the past. The commercial activities, however, commencing with the British period, seemingly have transformed the city into a bustling metropolitan hill station.

One cannot miss the majestic throne and crown of the last King of Kandy being displayed prominently in the gallery. They occupy centre stage in the gallery and are visible from a distance.

Research has revealed that the throne and foot-stool had been presented by the Dutch Governor, Van Rhee to King Vimala Dharma Suriya II of Ceylon in the year 1693. It may either have been imported by the Dutch or turned out in the coastal regions over which they held sway. The French influence is seen in the design. It had been accepted that Dutch furniture craft had been influenced by French designs and ideas at the end of the 17th century.

R. L. Brohier, an authority on the Dutch period, says that the more exquisite decorations of the throne-chair, namely gold sheeting covered with precious stones, were undoubtedly the handiwork of Sinhala goldsmiths and silversmiths. The most prominent feature in this curious relic, blended by ideas occident and orient, was the two golden lions or sphinxes forming the arms, the heads of the animals turned outwards, and on the back of the chair near the top, a large golden representation of the sun and of the moon - the former symbolic of Suriya and Solar Dynasty from which the Sinhala sovereigns claimed descent, and the latter of Candra of Lunar Dynasty with which they claimed connection.

The foot-stool was also of European design and handsomely decorated. It was 10 inches in height, a foot broad, and two feet and a half long. A moulding of cut crystal ran about the sides of it, beneath which, in front were flowers studded with amethysts and crystals. The regalia was returned to Sri Lanka by the British on September 22, 1934.

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