Buddhi Batiks: Looking back at a colourful journey
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Declaring open the preview at the Lionel Wendt: The Keerthisenas, right, Kshenuka Seneviratne and Thai Ambassador Poj Harnpol. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Buddhi Batiks is a household name in Sri Lanka, not surprising since it’s been around for all of 52 years.
How this uniquely Sri Lankan brand blossomed and the story behind the creative genius of Buddhi and Ranasiri Keerthisena is being unveiled this weekend at the Lionel Wendt Gallery in a preview to a larger retrospective exhibition to be held in September this year. The exhibition features some of Buddhi Batiks’ early work of wall art and flags.
How Buddhi Batiks was begun in 1971 by Buddhi and Ranasiri Keerthisena, is worth recording. Buddhi was then a journalist and wanting to surprise him with a batik shirt for his birthday, Ransiri contacted a local batik artist but was destined for disappointment. Himself an artist Buddhi suggested they make the shirt together. That was the genesis of Buddhi Batiks.
Pleased with their effort, they experimented further, opening a workshop behind their home and a shop in front. Such was their success with tourists, they were soon invited to exhibit and sell their products in Europe, especially in Scandinavia and Germany. The money earned from these trips was used to expand the business.
“It is a humbling moment for my family and I to be celebrating 50 years of Buddhi Batiks. What started as a passion has now become an iconic name. I am thankful to all the artisans who have tirelessly worked to be part of Buddhi Batiks’ journey. I am sure my daughter Darshi and the next generation of artisans will carry forward our name,” says Buddhi.
“A journey that my parents started 52 years ago, by the name of Buddhi Batiks, has characterised a large part of my life. I am now committed to taking Buddhi Batiks to the future as a modern Sri Lankan brand that empowers its artisans and puts batik on the global map. I hope that through the exhibition, that we will be holding later this year, people will be able to enjoy a retrospective of our work over 52 years,” says Darshi Keerthisena, CEO and Creative Director of Buddhi Batiks.
The exhibition is open today and also on Monday, June 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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