Art of lace making
by Indira P. Dahanayake
It
was my mother who taught me the intricate art of crochet and Beeralu
lace making said M. Chandraseeli Liyanage recalling her beginnings 60
years, back, as a school girl of twelve years, "I admired my mother's
work and picked up the finer points of the art of lace making almost
overnight" she continued, marriage came to me unexpectedly at the age of
sixteen years, but that did not harm in continuing my hobby with the
burdens of a family life' she smiled.
After marriage I received design books from a cousin of mine in
Germany who visited me from time to time.
|
Chandraseeli displays a crochet blouse |
|
Chandraseeli at her home with her crochet items |
This was the time I received orders from Muslim Ladies for
their shawls and double bed sheets.
When my children were toddlers I used to rock them to sleep on my
legs while doing my work in crochet late in the right, after finishing
my household work, I had four of them, they are all married now and I am
a happy and content grandmother, she admitted proudly.
"As I gained more experience I wanted to impart my knowledge to
others, and I taught free of charge to poor girls from Kiribathgoda and
Colombo areas", she said.
Very soon Chandraseeli's fame and name paved the way to produce items
for a sales centre at the supermarket in Kiribathgoda, and by pure luck
came her way.
When she was asked to have exhibition at Vihara Maha Devi Park and
BMICH sponsored by Rupavahini requests poured from many admirers to
conduct classes, in addition to orders.
"I was a duty conscious mother, and a wife but still I managed to
complete my work without disturbing my family life, the satisfaction I
had on completion of an item was immense" she commented.
Her crochet items include lace edgings table cloths, table mats,
blouses, shawls, glass coverings for vases, and even artificial flowers.
Her syllabus includes all these items beginning from the very basic
chain to intricately hand made blouses.
"I am very independent and liberally spend on my charity work from my
income, this work provides mental satisfaction and a mode of relaxation
as well. I have pupils scattered all over Sri Lanka, and some of them
have made it their livelihood which in turn gives me greater
satisfaction, she smiled.
Chandraseeli conducts classes at her residence at Kiribathgoda, as
well as in Kandy and Colepetty. |
