With a stroke of a brush he brings back to life historical paintings
View(s):Exhibition by 94-year-old artist L.K. Karunaratne
Veteran artist L.K. Karunaratne’s exhibition of paintings and drawings at the Lionel Wendt gallery on June 21 and 22 are works done over the 30 years he was attached to the Department of Archaeology.
The artist who turns 94, this week was born in Katugastota, Kandy on June 21, 1920. Having begun his education at Sri Rahula College Katugastota, he moved to Ananda College Colombo, where such was his talent that at the age of 19, he was appointed as arts teacher at Ananda College.
In November 1939 at a Sittara exhibition that opened at the Art Gallery, the Ceylon Daily News recorded that, “two scenes from the walls of the famous Degaldoruwa Temple, near Kandy copied by L.K. Karunaratne, and representative of the highest water mark of art of the Sinhalese Sittara as practised in the past in Ceylon. The young artist has succeeded in a surprisingly clever manner in capturing the easy flow of lines. The copies are faithful reproductions of the original, and deserve very high praise for the patient work involved in the coping.” The seriousness and meticulous quality attached to all of L.K.Karunaratne’s work that followed was established.
In his work in the Department of Archaeology as an Architect restorer L.K. Karunaratne worked closely with Dr. Senarath Paranavitana who was the Commissioner at the time and prepared all the drawings for his important book on the Upulwan Shrine at Devundara and for his volumes on the Sigiri Graffiti. He was responsible for many of the copies made of the Sigiriya and temple murals in Polonnaruwa and Kandy, many of which do not exist in their original locations today.
In the 70’s the International Centre for Restoration gave him a scholarship to study international research and restoration methods in Rome. When Sri Lanka became a republic in 1972, L.K. Karunaratne had the honour of designing the Emblem of the Sri Lanka Army.
In 1980, based on the wide experience gained as the Chief Restorer in the Department of Archaeology, he was appointed Consultant to the Central Cultural Fund. In 1986, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs awarded him the title “Puravidya Chakravarthy”.
and in 2012 the Ministry of National Heritage gave him an award for his great contribution to the country. Among his services in the field are the restoration of Kataragama Kiri Vehera in 1961, Mihintale Mahaseya and Somawathiya Dagoba with Architect Roland Silva. Apart from this in restoration of the Panawita Ambalama and Mangalagama Ambalama, L.K.Karunaratne’s ingenuity in researching and understanding historic data played an important role. His work also involves restoration of the 14 feet long brass lamp in the Church in the Old Dutch Fort in Jaffna and the restoration of the Kuttam Pokuna at Anuradhapura.
Designing of the Polonnaruwa archaeology museum, additions to the museum at Anuradhapura, designing of the early museum at Sigiriya, the exquisite circular wall (Prakaraya) around the Dagoba at Kaluthara Bodhiya are among the many creations and contributions of L.K.Karunaratne. Roland Silva and L.K.Karunaratne are also responsible for the museum at the BMICH in honour of the late Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike.
A Chartered Architect, Mr. Karunaratne has been a visiting lecturer in the leading architecture schools in the country. An expert in wood work he has published many articles and books such as ‘The traditional art of wood carving’ and a series named ‘Kalaapela’.
L.K. Karunaratne is a rare example of living a full life, sharing his knowledge and experience and serving his country.
‘Puraasanda’ his exhibition will be on on June 21 and 22 at the Lionel Wendt gallery.
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