Funday Times

Kandy Äsala Perahära

Sri Lanka's gorgeous Kandy Äsala Perahära is the subject of Prof. Anuradha Seneviratne’s newly re–issued book. In this, the third edition of his book, The Kandy Äsala Perahära, Prof. Seneviratne revises a book first published in 1977; and by the addition of photographs and modifications to the text makes it a detailed yet very readable introduction to the Perahära.

The book attempts to trace the evolution of the annual Kandy Äsala Perahära since its inception 1600 years ago during the reign of King Kirti Sri Meghavanna. He refers to ancient texts, including the Dalada sirita, the Culavamsa, as well as descriptions by relatively modern writers like Robert Knox and Davy.

From the Book:

It is only now that the Maligava tusker, proud and majestic in appearance, walks on the pavada, white cloth spread for its feet to tread on unsoiled. He carries the golden casket of the Buddha Relic and is flanked by two tuskers who carry attendants that bless his precious burden with showers of fragrant jasmine. The Maligava tusker carrying the Karanduva (reliquary) containing the sacred relics is preceded by dancers and Nagasinnam players.

The poets of the Kavikara maduva follow the tusker immediately behind. Hands of the peasant man, woman and child are clasped in reverence with a murmur of Sadhu as the Maligava tusker passes by each year with the Dhatu Karanduva, the symbol of the people's culture and piety.

About the author:

It would be difficult to find someone as well equipped to write about the Kandy Äsala Perahära as Prof. Anuradha Seneviratne. With a long and distinguished academic career to his credit, Prof. Seneviratne has written nearly seventy books in Sinhala and English and is the author of many research papers and newspaper articles.

He is the recipient of the 1991 National Award 'Kalakirti,' from the Government of Sri Lanka and the honorary 'Dharma Sastra Visaradara Kirti Sri' in the same year by the Malwatte Maha Vihara in Kandy in recognition of his services to Arts, Literature, Education and Culture. He also won the State Literary Award thrice for his published books in English and was the President of the Arts Council of Sri Lanka.
In 2007, The Central Provincial Council honoured Prof. Seneviratne for over fifty years of service to the country.

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Kandy Äsala Perahära

 

 
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