 Entrance to Kandyan Arts Association building | |
 | |
| Formation | 1882; 143 years ago (1882) |
|---|---|
| Founder | John Frederick Dickson |
| Type | Public trust |
| Headquarters | 72 Sangaraja Mawatha |
| Location |
|
| Coordinates | 7°17′31.6″N80°38′32.59″E / 7.292111°N 80.6423861°E /7.292111; 80.6423861 |
Manager | Chitra Dissanayake |
| Website | kandyarts |
Kandyan Art Association is anassociation formed in 1882 to revitalise traditional Kandyan arts and crafts (such as weaving, wood carving, painting, jewelry making, music and dance)[1] and support the traditional craftsmen by providing them a sales outlet.
Artists and craftsmen in theKingdom of Kandy were well organised intoguilds, with knowledge and skills passed down from generation to generation. Even marriages were within the same group so that the craft was closely guarded. These guilds all operated under the patronage of the king. When the kingdom was absorbed into theBritish Empire as aprotectorate, following theKandyan Convention of 1815, without a royal household most of these artists and craftsmen lost their livelihood and the guilds were disbanded, with only a few families continuing their crafts.[2][3]
The association was established in 1882 by theBritish Government agent for theCentral Province, SirJohn Frederick Dickson,[4] who brought together the traditional artists and the craftsmen in the Central Province.[5] Initially it operated from a small room in the Government Agent's Office. In 1904 the Association moved to the building known as thePalle Vahala (Lower Palace), the palace where the king's spouse and children resided.[6] The building now houses theNational Museum of Kandy.
In 1919 the association was incorporated as apublic trust, and is now administered by the Government Agent ofKandy District and a management committee.
In 1924 the association was relocated to its present location,[5] the formerKunam Maduwa (House of the Palanquins),[7] which housed thepalanquins used by theKandyan royal court. The Kunam Maduwa was built byKing Vimaladharmasuriya in the 16th century. In 1876 the building was converted and used by the British as a military hospital.[8][9]
In 1982 the association undertook a significant expansion, in conjunction with the organisation'scentenary, constructing a new cultural centre and theatre adjoining the existing heritage building. The project was designed byMinnette de Silva,[10] the first Sri Lankan female architect.[11][12] The building was completed in August 1984, with a central theatre complex that seats 1,500 people, galleries and studio spaces.[13] The theatre was extensively damaged by the1998 bombing of theTemple of the Tooth by theLiberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.[14] In 2005 the government, through the efforts ofLakshman Kadirgamar (National List MP andMinister of Foreign Affairs),[15] provided 7 millionLKR to restore and enhance the building complex.[14]
The Association organises a daily one hour traditional Kandyan dance and music performance showcase in the building's auditorium. These dances are performed by local families and products of the country's dancing institutions. The sales centre displays and sells handicrafts obtained from traditional crafts people who are members of the association.[citation needed]
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