It all started with a ‘painting’ that was in fact embroidery
Intricate: Two of her embroidery creations. Pix by Indika Handuwala
Inspired by what appeared to be a painting of horses done by her daughter-in-law, Stella Marapana began her journey in embroidery, when she realized the ‘painting’ was actually done in thread.
“I thought it was a painting when I saw it from afar,” she smiles. Only when she took a closer look did her son inform her that it was not, and that his wife had in fact created the striking embroidery.
Fascinated, Mrs Marapana who is Chairperson of the Public Performance Board decided she too would try her hand at this delicate art. She bought an embroidery kit and carefully followed the instructions, sewing along the thread numbers, which gave her a satisfactory result.
On the back of the kit, the maker’s address was given, (Bangalore and Chennai) and since she visited India quite often, she began buying the kits and went on to make considerable progress, mastering the art.
“Sometimes I change it a little bit,” she says, as she likes to add her own twist to her work. Her passion for embroidery keeps her awake till around 2 a.m. each day, she says.
Stella Marapana
The only challenge she faces now is bringing down the thread from India. “I used to go to India often and buy the thread, but now, it’s very difficult to get the thread,” she says. The Indian thread, which was the cheapest on the market at 18 rupees, is now around 60 rupees.
Mrs. Marapana is keen to introduce the art of embroidery to the younger generation. “It’s like meditation because you can’t think of anything else because you’ll go wrong,” she says, explaining how it requires complete focus.
Once completed her pieces are framed in non-reflective glass and sold, for prices ranging from Rs. 15,000 upwards.
Her artistic skills apart, Mrs. Marapana has had a long and distinguished career in the education sector. She served as a teacher, Deputy Principal and Acting Principal at her alma mater St. Joseph’s Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda during her 33-year tenure at the school. “I have been in the education sector for more than 50 years,” she says with pride.
Later on, she joined Oxford College International, Udahamulla serving as the Principal for eight years, moving on to become the Principal of Royal Institute, overseeing the Maharagama, Gampaha and Nugegoda branches.
Mrs. Marapana has been involved in the Public Performance Board on and off since 1991 as a member and acting Chairperson. In 2020, she took on the role of Chairperson.
The wife of eminent lawyer and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Tilak Marapana, she has two sons who are both in the field of law.
Mrs. Marapana is willing to conduct classes for anyone who wishes to learn to embroider, and can be contacted on 077 171 0875 or 075 486 5710.
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