When Green Path was once again adorned with art
A vibrant affair, Kala Pola 2019 drew in an appreciative crowd, eager to see and buy the works of talented local artists. From abstract drawings, detailed frescoes,landscapes, copper, steel and rock sculptures, Sri Lanka’s largest open art fair exhibited several styles of art in different media.
Kala Pola held on Sunday February 24, has for 26 years provided a platform for artists, sculptors and creatives to showcase their skill. Colombo’s shady ‘Green Path’ (Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha) was filled with art enthusiasts revelling in the relaxed atmosphere of the event.
Artists proudly stood by their art, some of them from different parts of the country enjoying the opportunity to interact with a Colombo audience such as K.G. Sarath Kumara from Gampola who displayed his intricate wood carvings of elephants, traditional emblems, stilt fishermen, animal and human figures. S.A Buddhika Ranajeewa from Malabe used a mix of oil, acrylic and watercolours to paint lifelike images of animals. From Danthure, G.I.C Asanka Siriwardhana’s interesting use of scrap metal to create sculptures garnered a lot of attention from the crowds. Pathum Nimesh Gamage hailing from Elpitiya used rock as his canvas to draw frescoes.
A wide array of styles on display. Pix by Ishanka Sunimal
The public also enjoyed performances from ‘The Music Project’, traditional Kandyan dance troupes, the Ravibandu Vidyapathi Drum Ensemble and other gifted musicians and dancers at the stage set in the middle of the fair.
Gracing the occasion was Chief Guest, Acting High Commissioner Bangladesh Hazrath Ali Khan accompanied by Chairman of John Keells Holdings PLC Krishan Balendra and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the George Keyt Foundation Michael Anthonisz.
