Plus

Pages from a pageant

A new edition of Professor Anuradha Seneviratna’s “Kandy Esala Perahera” has been issued to coincide with the popular perahera season, now drawing to a close in the hill capital, Kandy. The lavishly illustrated book, issued by Vijitha Yapa Publications, covers the rich history of the perahera and describes in detail perahera traditions and practices.

The book is enriched with rare photographs and illustrations. The centre spread is a view of the Dalada Maligawa complex as seen by a British artist in 1819. It is interesting to compare the painting side by side with a recent photograph of the Dalada Maligawa. The author, who has close links with the Sacred Temple of the Tooth (Dalada Maligawa), traces the evolution of the Kandy Esala Perahera since its inception more than 1,600 years ago, during the reign of King Kirti Sri Meghavarna (Kitsiri Mevan). He refers to ancient texts, including the Dalada Sirita and the Culavamsa, and quotes from writers such as Robert Knox, Davy, Millawa Disava and C. E. Godakumbura. The text is supported by rare photographs that give an insight into the rituals within the Dalada Maligawa.

The outstanding photographs are provided by the Diyawadana Nilame, the author, and Vijitha and Lalana Yapa. The book is priced at a very reasonable Rs. 400.

Dr. Seneviratna is a Senior Professor with the Sinhala Faculty of Peradeniya University, and has been honoured by the Sri Lanka government with the title “Kalakirti”. He has written close to 70 books in Sinhala and English, and has won the State Literary Award on three occasions He has also served as president of the Arts Council of Sri Lanka.

 
Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
 
Other Plus Articles
This will surely bowl you over
Getting to know all about those creepie-crawlies
North should pattern itself on Eastern model - Letters to the Editor
Protect our children where they truly need safety measures - Letters to the Editor
Cricket Board should chip in to vaccinate stray dogs - Letters to the Editor
Instant fix needed for water supply line - Letters to the Editor
Burning issue: Wanton destruction of hill country natural cover - Letters to the Editor
He utilised both his proficiency in English and Sinhala - Appreciations
A man we lost, but are proud to have known - Appreciations
Malli was a hero to his family and fellow soldiers - Appreciations
Sweet-tempered to all, the whole world to your family - Appreciations
Garden from Lanka wins silver in Singapore
Saving a life without scalpel and saw
New Atlas captures changes over 20 years
Delving into dance
Exploding myths and questioning day-to-day matters
Redeeming power of love
Kala Korner
An evening ruled by different hues of passion
One man brings to life the adventures of Moby Dick
Back to her childhood love for art
Red-letter day
Pages from a pageant
Devotion to a Devi
A Zonta winner who has the interests of women at heart
Rock gently on a Dhoni
'A peek into 80 different countries’
Enacting an old tradition far away from Israel

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 2008 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved.| Site best viewed in IE ver 6.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution