Appreciations

Sarath Surasena, 'Bada' to all his friends passed away on January 27 last year. He was born on June 30, 1942 at Hikkaduwa and was 65 years old when he passed away after a sudden heart attack in his home at Pitakotte. He was a brilliant student at Hikkaduwa Central College where he excelled as an artist. Having passed the senior school certificate he entered the then National College of Fine Arts to pursue his higher studies before the University took over the college. After graduating he joined the tutorial staff of his alma mater Hikkaduwa Central. After serving there for a few years he received a scholarship to UK to study Industrial Design and to Shanthiniketan in India for further studies. Thereafter he served as the Chief Design Manager, Lanka Salu Sala and Ceylon Ceramics Corporation.

He served as the Chairman of the Ceylon Society of Art and on the painting and sculpture panel of the Sri Lanka Arts Council of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. He won the State Award for Stage Décor for the stage drama 'Hiru Nethi Lova' produced by Ranjith Dharmakeerthi in 1974 and also for 'Sathuru Mithuru' produced by S.A. Premaratna in 1976.

He also won the BUNKA award 1994-95 conferred annually by Sri Lanka- Japan Friendship Fund for excellent service in the field of modern design. Sarath served as a visiting lecturer in History of Art and Design for nearly 35 years at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts and at its successive Institutes.

I came to know him in 1969, when I was a student at the College of Fine Arts. We had launched a student strike against the appointment of a non-artist principal, demanding a reputed artist as the principal instead. Sarath too supported us and as a result, sculptor Tissa Ranasinghe was appointed as principal. Sarath was a fierce fighter against injustice.

In 1973 he together with Mr. Mahagamasekera, then Principal of the College of Fine Arts changed the existing craft education stream ignoring the protests of some. It was in fact Sarath Surasena who was primarily responsible for the novel transformation of craft education into design education. Sarath stood firm on what he thought was right and that brought him into conflict especially with politicians and other higher authorities.

I recall his support along with Prof. A. J. Gunawardena and Prof. Daya Edirisinghe when I was appointed to the chair in the Department of Art and Sculpture, Institute of Aesthetic Studies, University of Kelaniya, now Faculty of Visual Art, University of the Visual and Performing Arts, on two occasions. He helped us greatly in designing the entire curriculum of the faculty in accordance with changes in the modern world.

His great mission was to lift design education from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. As the chairman of the Sri Lanka National Design Centre (NDC) he implemented the Design School under the banner of NDC, to offer diplomas for creative young folk who did not enter university.

He worked with such dedication and energy at his age that it surprised others who were associated with him. His absence is a void that cannot be filled; it is a loss that cannot be replaced because he was a unique human being. I know of several friends and students who benefited from his benevolence. He voluntarily helped anyone who came to him. He was a grand host who entertained lavishly and his home was always open to relatives, friends and students who were never allowed to leave without a meal or at least a cup of tea.

Sarath is no more physically but memories of him will always remain impressed in our minds. We wish him a short walk through Sansara and blessings to attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.

He lifted design education from darknesss to light