Sunday Times 2
‘Shilpa Abhimani’ exhibition ends today
View(s):By Kaveesha Fernando
Attempting to breathe life into the dying trade of handicraft is ‘ShilpaAbhimani’ – the Presidential Awards Handicrafts Competition and Exhibition, held in collaboration with the SAARC Handicrafts Exhibition at the BMICH this week. The exhibition ends today.
The ‘Shilpa Abhimani’ exhibition has been held for over three decades to highlight the craftsmen of the island and recognize their skills. Following exhibitions held on a provincial level, winners from the different provinces are given the chance to exhibit their work. Many traditional handicrafts such as pottery, brass carvings, traditional art etc. were highlighted at the exhibition.
One of the most prestigious awards available at the exhibition is the ‘Shilpa Sammanaya’ – which is awarded to one person each from the traditional and non-traditional categories. Wasantha Jayasekara, winner of ‘Shilpa Sammanaya’ from the non-traditional category felt that this achievement was all he could have hoped for. ‘I have won many awards but this is the biggest award. This award has been my dream and I’m so happy that this dream has come true,’ he said proudly. His design was a basket made from bamboo turned inside out. He explained that the reason behind his design was that there is beauty within each person.
Another interesting feature at the exhibition was the instructors stall. The National Craft Council has different centres where craftsmen and women can instruct the future generations on their trade. The SAARC exhibition unfortunately had only four countries participating – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The ‘Shilpa Abhimani’ and SAARC Handicrafts Exhibition is on today from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. An entrance ticket is Rs. 50.
Pix by Athula Devapriya