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| Friday, 18 July 2003 |
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by Sarah McAllister The Bataliya Replica Training Centre, affiliated with the National Museum in Colombo, prides itself on its underlying philosophy of "the preservation, promotion and propagation of culture". Founded in 1997, the centre provides an excellent place for young artists to thrive in talent and productivity. The main aims of the establishment are to "promote cultural tourism, create employment for youth, generates income for the Ministry and its employees, and to minimise piracy of original artifacts". Each year around 250 prospective students, aged between 18 and 35, must go through a selection process to apply for 40 highly competitive places and are required to have completed their GCE Ordinary Level examinations, including a certificate in Fine Art. Students spend the first year of their two-year course in classes, and the last year in production training, learning the difficult art of creating perfect replica items. After completing their final exam, some outstanding students are invited to become consultants at the centre. Gunasena Imaduwa, Senior Assistant Secretary for the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Education and Cultural Affairs, explained that he hopes further centres will be opening in 2004, after the impressive popularity of the Bataliya Centre. "We hope to have replica training centres in towns such as Kandy, Mandara and Anuradhapura." Replicas produced by the students, using such materials as plaster, clay, wood and even bronze, are sold in stores at both the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the National Museum in Colombo. "The museum shop makes approximately Rs. 150,000 each month from the sale of these items to tourists and local people," Mr. Imaduwa said. "Statues depicting the Buddha are especially popular!" |
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