Arts & Crafts |
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Sri Lanka has an abundance of traditional arts and crafts. These goods are manufactured using age-old techniques, tools and natural indigenous materials either by dedicated crafts men in their abode or occassionally at rural craft centres cosidered cottage industries.
A marked degree of regional specialization exists, based on the availability of raw materials as well as other factors such as royal patronage in the past and demand for the product.
Brasswork- wrought iron work which is mainly found in the kandyan Provinces (Central Province).
Silverware - 'Elugoda,' in the Kandyan region is famous for manufacturing ornately carved and filigree jewellery, trinket boxes, tea sets, candle stands etc.
Reed, rush, bamboo & rattan ware- 'Weweldeniya,' the town which literally means ' city of reeds,' has these items in bulk and the little outlets on either side of the road are filled with mats, baskets and many more items including sofa sets. This town is situated on the kandy-Colombo main road.
Coir goods - Items made out of coconut fibre inclusive of mats and rugs.
Dumbara Mats - In the past mat weaving in the Dumbara Valley ( Kandy province) was considered a necessary craft to be practiced by every female villager. Today, mat weaving is still popular among villagers but it largely functions as a cottage indutry with few establishes sales outlets. Weavers generally market their mats at festivals, fairs and pilgrimage sites.
lacquer ware - again a highly localised Kandyan craft.The 'lac' pigments are obtained from resins collected from forests. The boiled down lacquer is applied expertly by finger-nail or by revolving lathe.
Masks- Sri Lanka's folk dances and dramas are replete witha plethora of vibrant masks, Mainly available in the Southern Provinces and Kandy.
Batik Textiles - The wax resist dyeing technique of Indonesian origin, is available in destinctive Sri Lankan designs. Many outlets are available which cater to the many intersting forms of batik;
Buddi Batiks has shot to fame with their ecclectic designs by the young and enrgertic entrepreneur Darshi Keerthisena. She has succeeded in giving a new lease of life to batik attire. Buddhi Batiks
Buddhi Batiks No. 203,Kollonnawa Road
branches- Crescat Boulevard, 02nd Floor
Batik is available in the above outlets as well as other way side shops which cater to tourists and the batik sellers who sell their wares on the beaches of Sri Lanka.
Batik has seen a revival in the recent past and it not limited to cottons but silks, jeans and even wood.
Handloom textiles- Woven sarees, sarongs and household linen etc
Lace - A predominant Southern craft handed down by the Dutch and known as 'Beralu' lace making particularly in the Galle area.
Drums and musical instruments- A wide range of traditional drums and flutes.
Pottery - Terra-cotta 9 low fired) doemstic pottery, tiles, vases, ornaments and many more.
Wood carving - An ancient craft in Sri Lanka which continues to thrive and include many items such as wall plaques, ornaments, ebony elephants, trays, tables.
These items are available in the following handicraft department stores as well as many tourist friendly shops in Sri Lanka
Laksala - Main outlet
No 60, York Street, Colombo 01 Tel: 0094 - 11- 2323513/14 www.laksala.lk branches -
Viskam Nivasa No 125, Baddhaloka Mw, Thummula Junction, Colombo Tel :00 94 -11- 2580579
Tel :00 94 - 081 - 2222087
Tel : 0094 - 091-2222783
113, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07 Tel :00 94-11-2328900
Paradise Road 12, Alfred House Gardens, Colombo 03 Tel :0094-11-2686043
Odel 101 Rosemead Place Colombo 7
Arts & Crafts Ltd 6, Leyden Bastion Rd, Colombo 01. Tel : 0094 - 11-2422023
Lakpahana Rajakeeya Mawatha, Colombo 07
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