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| Wednesday, 13 October 2004 |
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Preserving Ancestral Homes : Wasala Walawwa an Ancestral Home in Negombo A sad spectacle is seen slowly catching up in our society where the new generation is breaking down their ancestral homes of immense cultural and architectural value built by their great great grandfathers to be replaced by modern structures little realising that an ancestral home can never be rebuilt. Once broken down it's gone forever. Another aspect that they seem to have ignored is the fact that an ancestral home is a living monument of their ancestors who have built it but now dead and gone. Thus living in those dwellings using the same rooms they lived, cooking in the same kitchen they cooked, bathing in the same well they bathed, is like living with them, in their presence though not visible to the eye. To impress this upon the public, Archwatch today features a visit to an ancestral home done by a member of the SLIA, and the account written by him on the home, in the latest issue of Architect. by Archt. Anusha de Abrew Rajapaksha
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Negombo Bazaar exists a charming abode preserved on its original lines. It is the Magdalene Wasala Walawwa, the stately home of the landed proprietor Late Mudliyar John de Silva Rajapakse. Four generations of the family have now been in occupation of this house which is nearly 150 years old. The house first called the Magdalene House named after the late Magdalene Mendis Abeysekara the wife of the late Mudliyar Rajapakse. The current incumbent belongs to the fourth generation of the original family. The house originally was located on a sprawling 2 acres and 22 perches. Although the property has become smaller over the years the old world charm still prevails, as does the privacy. In fact the house possesses a variety of spaces to suit varying purposes - private, relaxing, informal, religious, transitional and also of pomp and grandeur. The first structure built on this land in the early 19th century consisted of a series of rooms with a verandah linking them all. The kitchen and its related areas were also on the same line but the plinth being lower than the row of rooms. Subsequently the members of the clan who inherited the building made modifications the land as well as the building.
They had one son. Changes were also made to the front of the Walawwa during this period. The 2 side gables on either side of the hall were changed to into two hip roofs. The "thorana" facade was broken and made a hip roof to embrace the porch. The very distinctive feature of the Walawwa - circular columns were covered by walls and the post independence influence destroyed its character. The columns with lotus petal heads were featured in the front, to be in line with the post independence influence. Another set of rooms were also added. These alterations did not have the arched windows with a decorative timber trellis on top. It has regular openings with a concrete grill above it.
The original extent of land reduced due to a donation of land that was made to the Municipal Council for a thoroughfare - breaking the compound into two areas. The road is called Rajapakse Broadway to this day. Another portion was subsequently sold to the Bank of Ceylon. Thus the total extent of land now is only 180 perches. The entrance to the Walawwa though it is from the busy main street, is simple. Even the gate pillars are not ornate and the wall is not high. The verandah theme is the key feature of this house verandahs are used for various purposes - a crowd of people come to read the paper in the side verandah, the front verandah offers more privacy, for social chit-chats to ostentatious functions. The two storey main section of the house has a long verandah which has a four pillar, protruded portico covered by a rare flowering creeper. The creeper makes this entrance look very cosy. The long verandah to the back, which is enclosed today by half walls and a lattice, is an active place during an almsgiving. Even in this day when the exterior is a bustling place the pace within is leisurely and the living gracious. The antique furniture that adorns the house contributes to the character and charm of the place along with the photos of the clan. The central space is a cozy lobby holding only two book-racks, a circular table, and two armchairs. The family photographs adorn the walls. The dining room has two beautiful Chiffonniers and a rectangular six seater dining table with twisted legs. The big windows of this area open into a court yard where grows a huge tree. The shade and the beauty contribute to the ambience of dining there. The writer enjoyed the benefit and privilege of having her studio in this building for 13 years. The Studio occupied an area of the original building. It is the simplest part of the house.
Thus through the day Professionals, and people from all walks of life including Sil Mathas wander through the premises. Then there are the bankers who park their vehicles in the garden, and the way-side cobblers who store their mobile workshop overnight in the premises. They pass through the house or garden and there is space for all. A sharp contrast from the houses of today which are strictly for the nucleus family. ################### Architects go to Galle It is always the complaint that everything is centred on Colombo or the Western province. As a matter of fact the Architects in Sri Lanka have been in and around Colombo for a long time. It is not their fault because the major contribution to construction industry is from Western province. The times have changed. People of this country now see things here and abroad. They also see things on TV or through the Internet. They want to experience Architecture. So they have begun to complain bit more vociferously that professional architects do not come to their towns or regions. Sri Lanka Institute of Architects, being at the receiving end this complaint repeatedly over the last few years have decided to go to people in the regions outside the western region. The first public outreach program was in Kandy in August 2004. Though the circumstances did not permit holding an event similar to the annual sessions in February, 2004, Kandy event was indeed a success. The next will be in Galle from 12th to 14th November, 2004. An Exhibition of Architects' work and the trade will be held at the Town Hall. A day long seminar on the theme 'Built Environment Perspectives of Southern Province" will be conducted at the Light House Hotel. The objective of the seminar is to have an overview of future shape of the built environment of Southern Province because new highways, airports, harbours and new towns are on the cards. The exhibition is open to all who wish to know about Architects, Architecture and Building Products. Due to constraints on accommodation, participation in the seminar will be only by invitation. If you are in the Southern Province and if you are interested in participating in the seminar, then this is the opportunity for you. Invitations to the people of South will be sent on prior registration. Send a postcard or e-mail with your name, private and official addresses and telephone/fax numbers/e-mail to reach Hon. Secretary, Sri Lanka Institute of Architects, No. 120/7, Vidya Mawatha, Colombo 07 (e-mail: [email protected] or Fax: 011-2682757) before 25th October, 2004. |
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Alexander Edmond Rajapakse the eldest son and heir added a two storeyed
wing to the main structure and subsequently re-named the house
"Magdalene Wasala Walawwa" when the rank of Gate Mudliyar was
conferred on him. The addition changed the shape of the house completely,
giving it a longitudinal axis, whereas it was a cluster in the good old
days - a typical British concept. The Grand Porch was used to park his car
- the firs Ford Lincoln to be brought into the country and the house also
had stables for horses. They had 2 children. Leila Mildred Rajapakse,
their daughter inherited the Walawwa. She married Alexander Nicholas De
Abrew Abeysingha and lived a less ostentatious existence.
A well proportioned window opens out into a most romantic part of the
garden - an ideal atmosphere to contemplate on matters architectural and
still deeper. Magdalene Wasala Walawwa still extends its hospitality to a
wide spectrum of society. In the present era too the pace is leisurely and
the living gracious. But the sole proprietor has chosen to extend the
hospitality of the household to a wide spectrum of society.
