An Artist’s Guide to the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka
The southern coast of Sri Lanka is a paradise for travellers with an artistic background. From intricately carved masks used in ancient folk dances to the architectural wonders of the colonial period, an artist would be enthralled with all that the southern coast has to offer. While there are many places, here are five places not to be missed.
Ambalangoda
Ambalangoda may not be as popular as its neighbouring towns, but certainly has its fair share of unique features. The coastal town is famed for its traditional mask making and intriguing dances.
The Ariyapala Workshop and Mask Museum is a great place to understand the great craftsmanship that goes into making these elaborate masks. It is often the Sanni Yakuma masks that are the most frightening of all. They are made to personify the devils themselves, as they are used for exorcisms and rituals to quell evil spirits. If you are lucky, you might be able to witness the very dance itself.
The Kolam Maduwa masks, on the other hand, are used for entertainment purposes. The dances performed using these masks are often used in plays that depict village life, culture and society in a satirical manner.
Regardless, every mask you see in the workshop and museum have a purpose and an interesting story behind it.
Galle Fort
Travel a bit further down south and you will come across a colonial masterpiece, the Galle Fort. This is considered to be the best-preserved fortress in Asia. Dating back to the 16th century, art is ever-present within these walls.
The best places to visit are the museums. There are three museums, namely the Historical Mansion Museum, the Galle National Museum, and the Galle Maritime Museum. Here, you will be able to witness many artefacts that go back to the ancient kingdoms as well. From ancient statues to colonial insignias, there is a lot to see.
Even after you are done with the museums, a stroll around the cobblestone streets allows you to admire the neo-classical buildings that still stand.
Lunuganga and Brief Garden
If you are an artist, you probably know what ‘Tropical Modernism’ means. The Lunuganga Estate in Bentota is a textbook example of that architectural style, as it was once the home of Geoffrey Bawa.
Situated right by the Dedduwa Lake, the Lunuganga Estate is a mix of renaissance Italy, neo-Palladian architecture, and landscapes inspired from various countries. Art is everywhere here. From the Greco-Roman statues that adorn the gardens to the interesting pieces of art in the country home, there is always something that would catch your eye.
Just a few kilometres north of the Lunuganga Estate is the Brief Garden. This piece of landscaping once belonged to the brother of Geoffrey Bawa. While Geoffrey was an architect, his brother Bevis was a landscaper. Hence the reason for the Brief Garden to be one of the more immaculate gardens on the southern coast.
Here, you can witness an array of flora and fauna, along with some unique landscaping features that incorporate European, Asian, and ancient Sri Lankan styles. A stroll through the garden and Bevis’ home is a great way to understand just how influential their designs are even by today’s standards.
Koggala
A few kilometres down south from Galle lies the little town of Koggala, the birthplace of famous folk novelist, Martin Wickremesinghe. The Martin Wickremesinghe Folk Museum is a great way to understand the art, culture and lifestyle of the village people during the colonial era.
Since the museum is the home of the author, you can still see the typical village architecture, along with some artefacts of his childhood days. Several other artefacts that depict the old village lifestyle and culture are on display as well.
A fitting end to this artistic tour down the southern coast would be to head further south to the laid-back town of Weligama. Find respite in the exquisite Cape Weligama, and experience the peace and serenity of the coast, while pondering on the amazing features you just witnessed in the region.
