Some Wall‑Paintings from Kelaniya
Summary
The wall-paintings from Kelaniya's Viharas preserve early Indian art traditions up to the 19th century, featuring Buddhist narratives and decorative motifs. The Jataka tales, such as the *Sama-jataka* (depicting a blind ascetic's miraculous survival), *Mahakaya-jataka* (Indra's Dharma proclamation via a hound), and *Vessantara-jataka* (the Bodhisattva's generosity), are arranged in horizontal bands along the walls. Scenes from Buddha's life, including his enlightenment and the Earth goddess's testimony, are also illustrated. The paintings blend myth and history, with figures dressed in contemporary Ceylonese or English attire, reflecting local and colonial influences. The artistic style retains Sunga-period influences, seen in Barhut reliefs and Jogimara cave paintings, with intricate floral patterns, lotus rosettes, and *picce mala* (scattered rotating circles). Ceylonese innovations include the *nart lata bhela* (flower merging into a female figure) and the "life-tree" motif with birds and deer. The technique involves tempera on plaster, with black outlines, white infill, crimson background touches, and yellow highlights. The paintings juxtapose myth and history, confirmed by rhythmic designs and color schemes. Colossal *Dvarapalas* (guardian figures) and Nagas with floral offerings flank doorways, while zodiac signs and directional deities adorn ceiling panels. The work exemplifies a fusion of Indian and local traditions, with persistent surface-filling patterns and ornamental devices like festoons and leafy creepers.
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Conclusion
The Kelaniya wall-paintings offer a unique visual narrative, blending Buddhist traditions with local Ceylonese adaptations. These artworks preserve the aesthetic principles of early Indian art, particularly the Sunga period, while incorporating regional themes and contemporary elements like Ceylonese attire and colonial influences. The juxtaposition of myth and history, along with the rhythmic composition and vibrant color schemes, highlights the enduring cultural and religious significance of Jataka tales. By depicting scenes like the Sama-jataka and Vessantara-jataka, the paintings not only reinforce Buddhist virtues but also reflect the socio-artistic dynamics of their time. This synthesis of tradition and innovation underscores the artistic and historical value of Kelaniya’s murals, making them a critical link between ancient Indian art and Ceylonese cultural identity.