Local crafts in the spotlight

Dhiluckshini CANAGASABEY

Laksala Viskam 2009 was a celebration of 45 years since its inception in 1964. The Bandaranaike International Conference Hall (BMICH) played host to this exhibition that was held from the 6th to the 8th of this month. This exhibition was a treat for handicraft lovers and the clientele that Laksala has been able to maintain over the years include both young and old alike. This was evident when looking around at all the enthusiastic shoppers who were present. Those who made it a point to be there would not only have had a good shopping experience but also a little peek into what goes into making the products that they have been used to purchasing.

At the entrance there were two men busy at work. They were A. G. Wijerathne and Jagath Wijerathne both of Mathale. These two people are Lacquer workers and this craft had been handed down the generations. The intricate patterns that the former was creating was indeed a treat to watch while the latter was busy polishing and adding the finishing touches to a what he called a jewellery box. The sound of drums turned my attention to the opposite corner of the room which had a stall of drums of all sizes. The craftsman responsible for turning out these instruments was also present and it was him who was beating the drums. He seemed to let the drums do the talking for them selves. He said his name was K. Senaratne and his cousin, K. Piyasiri was also present with him. Piyasiri was a keen talker and said how Laksala continues to help them with selling their products which otherwise would not be an easy task to be undertaken on their own. This was a testimony for what the Sri Lanka Handicrafts Board and its main outlet, Laksala does to empower the local craftsman.

Nimal a mask maker from the village of Bandaragama was who caught my attention next. He was in the process of carving a mask which according to him was that of the ‘kurulu raakshaya’. It was interesting to note that what they produced has changed with the development of tourism. The masks which were originally meant for dancing-shaanthikarma- are now mainly made not for wearing but decorative purposes. However Nimal was keen to make it clear that they still used the same methods, colours and that it was a process that his entire family joined in with him. The colouring of the masks is supposed to be done by the womenfolk because of the intricate designs that are involved in them.

These were all craftsmen who have been handed down their skills for generations and they do have hope that it will continue for generations to come. There was however a person with a different story. He was P.G. Gunarathne of Manikhinna, Kandy. This man was busily weaving with the aid of hemp fibres-hana. He has only three daughters and they are married, all except one and he was sad to say she was not as skilled as him. This old man was weaving, thread by thread according to a pattern in his head. He had no previous sketches. This is indeed a skill that is difficult to be matched.

Amongst the older generation of craftsmen and women it was indeed interesting to see a young girl busy at local lace making popularly known as beeralu. Her name was Apsara and her history with beeralu only went back about six months. She was not one who inherited this skill from generations but rather learnt it for the shear love of it and is making a living out of it today. It was amazing to watch the pattern being woven out gradually which seemed to need patience.

Laksala not only caters to a varied clientele, but also to varied handicraft producers, as is evident in the cases of people like A. G. Wijerathne, Nimal, Gunarathne and even young Apsara. These are ordinary people who have benefited by this organization and would definitely continue to work with them. The service that is being rendered in preserving these traditional crafts as well as craftsmen is indeed a laudable service.

Pictures by Ruwan DE SILVA

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