Fostering the art of folding
A square piece of paper, folded and unfolded applying geometric principles to create decorative objects – dinosaurs, dragons, flowers or cartoon figures.
Some of the origami designs by members of the association at the recently concluded Japnese Cultural exhibition. Photos by M.D. Nissanka
Origami- the art of folding paper to create an awe-inducing object with layers of pleats and mounts demands a high level of intellectual ability and concentration.
Origami is a traditional Japanese craft, the most popular model being the paper crane which has special significance in the Japanese culture as a symbol of peace.
In Sri Lanka, this intellectual hobby has quite a fan base with youngsters frequenting the internet for diagrams and videos as study material.
Twenty year old Shalin Abeywickrema is an ardent Origami paper folder who is a member of the Origami Folders’ Association in Sri Lanka – an organisation dedicated to grooming local Origami enthusiasts.
He made his first origami model taking instructions from a book his mother gifted him while in kindergarten only to find himself pursuing more advanced folding methods as he reached the fight grade in school.
Folding is like an addiction, Shalin says adding that he does not feel tired or hungry when he starts working on a model.
Abeywickrema who is pursuing his higher studies in the field of engineering says, his desire is to do something unique in the field of engineering combining his knowledge of origami.
For 25-year-old Ananthi Vythilingam who is employed in the corporate sector, origami helps beat the stress. “The moment you start working on a paper, you are locked out of the rest of the world.
Not even the mobile is a distraction then,” says Ananthi. Making origami paper crafts has become more than a hobby for this young lady who puts her talents to good use in day to day life.
She volunteers to decorate the Hindu temple for various functions, she says reminiscing about how she once made a paper pulp of Lord Ganesha for a kovil festival.
Shalin and Ananthi are two budding artists being mentored by the Origami Association. Its current membership includes individuals from various ethnic backgrounds- various fields such as engineering, architects, Japanese language students, scouts, school students, corporate sector employees – from various locations island wide.
The beginning of the Association dates back to 1996 when it was started as a hobby group with 10 members after its Founder/ President Dilshard Careem developed a passion for origami following a research thesis he wrote on Japanese Culture while pursuing his higher studies in Japan.
The Association was formed in 2000 following Dilshard’s visit to the Nippon Origami Association (NOA) – the Origami Headquarters in Japan where he expressed his intention to start an Association in Sri Lanka.
With the recognition of the Japanese Embassy in Colombo and with NOA sending material support in terms of model diagrams, the Association conducts folding sessions once or twice a month while knowledge sharing is done mainly through the internet.
There are occasions when members get together for different projects, according to Dilshard. Tapping the talent of the young origami enthusiasts in Sri Lanka and assisting them to reach professional standards apart, conducting island wide public workshops and organising exhibitions are some of the Association’s main tasks.
There is a course conducted by the Association at present, not as a commercial venture, but for the purpose of attracting members to the Association, says Dilshard adding that details regarding the programme can be found on the Association’s Facebook page.
A young member of the Association, Dilum Thimalksa (15) is determined to make his best out of the guidance he gets through the Association.
“It is my father who taught me this craft when I was in Grade four and he is the one who got me to sign up with the Association seven years back,” he says pointing out some complex designs he has made.
Explaining the complexity of the art, Dilum says sometimes folding can even go up to about 250 folds.
Showing an origami Kusudama flower, 21 old undergraduate Hasitha Udari says that she created a Kandyan bridal and a bouquet using these Kusudama flowers to be showcased at a recent exhibition and got some tremendous feedback.
“Today Origami has a commercial value too, and I always give my origami products as birthday gifts and cards to my friends and family,” she adds. To learn more about the association log onto
www.facebook.com/Origami-Folders-Association-of-Sri-Lanka-305289449501799/
Dilum Himalksa
Ananthi Vythilingam
Shalin Abeywickrema
Hasitha Udari