News
Traditional crafts -A dying art
View(s):Though traditional arts and crafts are always an attraction, the craftsmen and women who specialise in these fields struggle to eke out a living.
In order to recognize their services and provide them with some form of encouragement, the ‘Shilpa National Exhibition and Awards Ceremony’ is held annually to promote local handicrafts and small industrialists.
But despite the fanfare with which this event is held, it is still an uphill struggle for these talented persons to keep their businesses going.
Several of the exhibitors said that many of the specialised skills that have been handed down for generations such as lacquer work, wood carving and batik making, could become dying arts if more was not done to encourage the younger generation to learn these skills.
Sugath Amarapala, from Kundasale, off Kandy said the high cost of raw materials and paints have made it difficult for them to compete even in local markets. “We will be able to attract a better tourist market if the cost of these basics were brought down” he added.
 A delicate work of art in the making |
 A craftsman weaving wall hangings |
 Ministers Basil Rajapaksa and Douglas Devananda at the Shilpa National Exhibition and Award Ceremony |
 'KolaPotha' work -a truly beautiful and delicate Sri Lankan handicraft- however the craftsmen have not received help to develop their craft to meet international standards |
 Wood carvings depicting Prince Siddartha leaving Yasodara Devi while she sleeps with her infant |
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