Kala Pola 2013 – the 20th anniversary to unveil in Colombo

Demi HEWAMANNA

Celebrating 20 years of pure talents of artists and sculptors, the Kala Pola 2013 – Sri Lanka’s annual art fair - will take more colour and shapes to the green grill gates of Nelum Pokuna Mawatha this January 26 and 27. The event is to be inaugurated by French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Christine Robichon.

This will be the first time event will be held for two days giving upcoming artists a chance to showcase their beautiful creations and bringing out their true passion out to the eyes of the public. This year, the event will also have children’s art competitions and focus on a few differently-able children’s art. There will also be series of free lectures, cultural entertainment by Triloka and of course a chance to browse through the creations on Saturday. On Sunday there will be an art auction where you get the chance to see what you can add on to your one of a kind collection at home.

The fair will start from 8am to 10pm on Saturday 26 and 8am to 6pm on Sunday 27.

Presented since 1993 by The George Keyt Foundation, Kala Pola has continued to enjoy the generous patronage and strong partnership of the John Keells Group over the years under its corporate social responsibility programme which is committed to supporting the development and promotion of the arts and culture of Sri Lanka.

At last year’s ‘Kala Pola’, artists earned a total of approximately Rs. 7 million. We are happy to register growing numbers of both artists and visitors flocking to the sidewalks of Nelum Pokuna Mawatha (formerly Green Path) during Kala Pola. The John Keells Group has been a tremendous source of strength to us during these two decades and we are most thankful for its invaluable patronage”.

Speaking to the media, Jagath Ravindra said that there were a handful of people who participated in the first ever exhibition and many thought it became something against tradition. There were questions as to why these artists were on the road and exhibiting their work there etc. But now, this Kala Pola has become a culture and tradition and artists plan months ahead to partake in this fair. I have much respect to the George Keyt foundation as it has helped me a lot.

“My experience began in 2000. I am from Kandy and there is a great deal of activity in there but it is difficult for artists who live outstation. I am honoured and feel privileged to be here. I was unheard of at that time and I was very much new to the field. It was my teacher who told me take part in this. When I took part I was introduced to a world of art. It was amazing how we could to relate to one another and we all seemed to be in one wave length. At my first Kala Pola I met artists from the East and we were isolated from the past history. After many years I had my own solo exhibition as well.

And there have been senior artists who have helped us a lot and have guided us in many ways.

Over 300 reputed and emerging local painters and sculptors from across the country, including the North and East, have registered to take part in Kala Pola 2013.

A few participants from the SAARC region have also been invited to promote the exposure of local artists to international works of art.

As it has been in previous years, Kala Pola 2013 is free of charge and open to the public. Now a major tourist attraction, it will attract thousands of visitors from all walks of life, from different parts of Sri Lanka and from different parts of the world.

They will all converge on Nelum Pokuna Mawatha over two days to savour its signature ambiance of bonhomie, camaraderie and indulgence in the infectious feeling of an exciting summer art-fest right in the heart of Colombo, Sri Lanka.