KEERTHISENA on being creatively ‘crafty’

Nipuni Wimalapala

Even though a country's culture can be represented in many forms, in an international atmosphere, showcasing its culture is the strongest way to make the image of a country solid among other countries. Established as a country with a unique cultural identity, Sri Lanka has received many benefits and reputation.

Pictures by Sarath Peiris

A country with its stunning cultural diversity, Sri Lanka remains a leading partner of the ever popular Surajkund Mela festival this year. Every year, as winter cold shades away and beautiful sunny spring arrives in India, the Surajkund, which literarily means lake of the sun, begins. Surajkund is an ancient reservoir of the 10th century located in Haryana, India. Every year, the festival is held in February with participation of many countries. Surajkund is entirely about crafts and craftspeople from India and many other countries. It is annually organized by the Haryana tourism of India which is a provincial tourist institute.

National Crafts Council of Sri Lanka has participated in this festival with the most minimum funding so far. They have spent only less than Rs 800,000 this year, though Surajkund Mela is a huge event. Sri Lanka has been participating in this for the last five years with many artistes. It started first with four artistes and went on increasing the number. Last time it was eight and this time it is 15. Apart from them, a cultural group of 12 youths from Sri Lanka Youth dancing crew took part to portray the cultural values of the country. There were four government officials who monitored the work.

Commenting on the success Sri Lankans achieved, the National Crafts Council Chairman, Buddhi Keerthisena, mentioned: “We got a huge publicity and goodwill which was really attractive. We could make it ours. There were 36 acres of land. It was a huge fair and everything was about crafts. For this fair, about 750 Indian craftsmen took part. But still we got the highest position among many countries. It was only because of our high quality quite attractive crafts and the performances of our cultural group. We were able to use our flags everywhere.

We played Sri Lankan music and dancing. Actually we could make it a Sri Lankan event. And also we had a Sri Lankan day on which we enhanced the image of the country among other countries. We had press conferences. There were more than 50 journalists for the press conferences. We gave a huge image to the country. All the SAARC countries participated. all together, there were about 23 countries.”

According to Keerthisena, There were about 1.2 million visitors. Since it is a huge event where Sri Lankans got a lot of attraction, he stresses, it is necessary to support this further in future. Sri Lankan craftspeople sold out their crafts within one week and they say that they need to bring more crafts and there should be an adjustment in the luggage weight.

Even though there are many different crafts in India, Sri Lankan ones still became popular. Importantly the expenditure was low but got a huge reputation in return. Keerthisena added that even though the National Crafts Council undertakes the work, other related institutes should join in and help out expand the value of our crafts and to gain reputation in the international arena while supporting the local artistes.

The atmosphere was beautiful and the activities took place were quite attractive in the Surajkund Mela. A lot of aesthetic activities such as dancing, music and singing were done by the participants. They were vivid from different countries and cultures.

Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Delhi, Prasad Kariyawasam, supported much to make the event a success and to make Sri Lanka’s image a reputed one. Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister, Dulles Alahapperuma too supported a lot to make the Sri Lankan image by providing an aesthetic group.

According to Keerthisena, the National Crafts Council is planning next year to increase the number of the craftspeople and other aesthetic figures. They also expect to increase the number of crafts as well as the quality.

Talented craftsmen from different parts of the country will be given opportunity to participate in this to make them more talented and exposed to the international crafts market. To make this a reality, Keerthisena stresses that a massive support is required.