A pictorial narrative of an ancient martial art
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Not many know much about “Angampora,” Sri Lanka’s ancient martial art. It has been a term languishing in obscurity for the last couple of centuries, often misunderstood as an urban legend; a thing of the past.
Oceans and Continents Sri Lanka, a collective of creative professionals based in Colombo, together with one of the last heirs of Angampora’s cultural legacy, have compiled a groundbreaking study of this ancient art in pictorial form. They will be publishing a coffee-table book titled “Angampora: A Nation’s Legacy in Pictures” after more than six years of intensive research and photography. The book is written by Deshamanya Ajantha Mahanthaarachchi and photographed by Reza Akram. With 436 pages and more than 600 stunning photographs, it aims to raise awareness internationally and locally about the last remaining vestiges of a colourful cultural legacy that shaped Sri Lankan society over the centuries.
The book showcases Angampora with an exotic array of never before seen ancient artifacts, colourful cultural practices that are on the brink of extinction, and a host of deadly combat techniques that include lethal pressure point attacks and more.Proceeds from book sales will be directly channelled to the Korathota Angampora lineage to provide much needed financial support for the traditional Angampora practitioners who have kept this art alive through the centuries.
The book will be released on October 21 at the DIMO 0800 showroom in Colombo 14. There will be a photography exhibition open to the public on October 22 and 23 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The project is sponsored by Diesel and Motor Engineering PLC (Heritage Sponsor), Sri Lanka Army, Brandix PLC, Sampath Bank PLC (Legacy Sponsors), Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Navy (Patriot Sponsors), Siam City Cement Lanka (Pvt) Limited, and Q&E Advertising (Flag-Bearer Sponsors).
The book will be available for purchase at Rs.9, 500 at the venue. Photography prints too will be available for purchase during the event.