Buddhist paintings are a
significant feature in
Sri Lankan heritage.
Ever since Buddhist art and
architecture began to flourish after the introduction of Buddhism in the 3rd century BC, the artists started painting the walls of
temples with numerous episodes
of the Buddha's life.
The most popular theme
selected by them was Jataka tales which related the previous lives of the Buddha. This is how temple paintings have become an integral part of Buddhist culture. Devotees who go to temple, study these and while admiring the talent of our traditional craftsmen learn about the numerous births of the Buddha.
While temple paintings
belonging to the different periods in Sri Lankan history can be seen at the better known temples, even the smallest village temple will have at least a few paintings on the walls. The tradition continues to this day.
A most unusual set of paintings can be seen at the ancient temple at Nagolla close to Kurunegala. Here a Jataka story – one of the 550 Jataka tales on record – has been feataured in a set of paintings drawn on a 'pettagama' – a large wooden box. (The 'pettagama' was used in homes to stock dresses and valuables since it could not be
easily moved about due to its heavy weight). The Jataka story selected is the 'Sambhava Jatakaya'.
The 'pettagama' where the paintings are depicted is over
6 ½ feet long and a little over three feet wide. The height is about three feet (33 ½ inches).
The Nagolla temple is situated on a picturesque setting on a hill in the natural reserve of Kumbalpola where several caves have also been found. Dating back to the reign of King Valagamba (2nd century BC), several ola manuscripts containing the Tripitaka as well as Buddha statues have also been unearthed during the excavations at the Nagolla site. Evidence has been found to indicate that it had been a meditation centre for the monks in the early days.
The paintings in the 'pettagama' belong to the Kandyan period and there is evidence to show that around 1772 AD the temple had been renovated. Among the
facilities found at the temple are caves where the monks resided,
a library with rare ola
manuscripts, an upper vihara, a cave with paintings, an ancient bo-tree, a cave monastery, a grand vihara at the lower level, and a chaitya built with granite.
Five stamps have been released in 2004 to commemorate Vesak
featuring the paintings on the
'pettagama'. They depict different episodes of the Sambhava Jataka.
The story is built around a just king – Dhanajaya Kowarava, who was interested in ruling the
kingdom according to the 'Dasa Raja Dharma' – Ten Principles of governance based on Righteousness. The king sends his chief advisor Sucharita to discuss the ten principles with Pandit Vidura, a well known teacher
(Rs. 4 stamp). Brahmin Sucharita's meeting with Pandit Vidura is depicted in the Rs. 4.50 stamp.
Pandit Vidura in turn refers Sucharita to several other
youthful learned men to discuss the problem of ruling righteously. In the miniature sheet highlighting the Rs. 26 stamp, one such meeting is depicted.
In the Rs. 16.50 stamp Sucharita meets Bhadraka. The meeting with Sanjaya is depicted in the Rs. 20 stamp which also shows Sucharita meeting Sambhava who gives him the answer. The last scene in the stamp shows Sucharita handing over the golden leaf in which the answer is written. |
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