Expert touch for craft
The BMICH will be the venue for a celebration of diverse crafts as the National Craft Council opens their annual craft exhibition and fair “Shilpa” to the public on August 28. Bringing together artisans, designers and the public, Shilpa has, over the years proved to be an eye opener to people, an occasion for the art lover and opening for craftsmen and artisans to display their works and skills on a large scale.
Senaka de Silva
Part of the exhibition is ‘Visithru’ a segment which showcases the craftsmanship of artisans from various industries ranging from coir to pottery, carpentry, etc. They have over the past six months worked tirelessly under the guidance of veteran Sri Lankan designer Senaka De Silva. “It’s not easy to teach and train the artists,” interjects Mr. De Silva as the artists are most often masters or teachers of their crafts and they have more than once clashed in terms of ideas and 
design. But almost half a year later the products in their final stages of production, some ready to be packed up are fine examples of this marriage of contemporary design and traditional skills- true to their artistic roots but new and innovative, traditionally beautiful and yet quirky and different.
“National Craft Council chairman Dr. Buddhi Keerthisena understands the needs of the artisans,” explains Senaka who along with Bharatha Liyanage, another master craftsman was introduced to the project to work with and teach the craftsmen. Looking into and fine tuning the work of 40 craftsmen has been his task over the past six months. With less than a week for the highly anticipated crafts show, he still takes time to examine each artist’s work and make sure not a stitch is out of place, and that even the hooks are perfectly aligned and of the same metal.
Visithru will welcome the products of craftsmen from around the country, bringing together an emulsion of styles, colour and culture as Sri Lankan crafts are heavily influenced by the geographical regions and their regional subcultures for which they are famous.
For painter Janaka Egodage, his career since 1999 has been in the field of mural painting. All he knows about art and his career he says “is inherited”. Janaka has a wide collection including wall murals and pieces, which he proudly tells us were selected for the CHOGM, as 
well as a collection of intricately painted jewellery boxes and rustic lamps; very Sri Lankan in colour and style reflecting his Southern roots.
The marriage of traditional crafts and Senaka’s contemporary designs and ideas is interestingly reflected in the leather pouches and bags fitted with miniature brass buttons and plates, reminiscent of the Kandyan kingdom. For Padmasiri Munasinghe who himself hails from the hill capital the idea is interesting and different, as a craftsman in brassware, his creations ranging from vintage styled brass candle stands to jewellery.
“A lot of boutique owners buy in bulk and place orders,” adds Senaka explaining that it greatly benefits the craftsmen who usually operate at village level. In addition the National Crafts Council also gives them loans to help buy raw materials. “We want to train them to turn into potential markets,” explains NCC Chairman Dr.Buddhi Keerthisena who aspires to take Sri Lankan crafts overseas and celebrate it as an international, contemporary art form.
The Shilpa national crafts exhibition and fair will be held from August 28-31 at the BMICH. Tickets are priced at Rs. 20 while students may walk in free.