Buddha's era in wall paintings

by Ananda KANNANGARA

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Sudumenike giving final touches to one of her paintings.

The first ever wall paintings of Sudumenike Wijesooriya, a renowned artist and painter will be opened at Sri Sudharshanaramaya Temple, Mahena in Warakapola by Chief Incumbent Ven. Barathi Thera on December 4.

The wall paintings depict many events of the era of the Buddha. The famous Kusa Jathaka and Sama Jathaka stories, Nanda Thera's ordination ceremony and the birth of Prince Siddartha are some of the main religious events, painted in the shrineroom of Sri Sudharshanaramaya.

Sudumenike Wijesooriya is an art teacher at Dudley Senanayake Maha Vidyalaya, Tolangamuwa. In addition, she conducts an art academy at Tulhiriya for the benefit of children in village schools. She also has conducted several art exhibitions at her school.

I first met Sudumenike at Lionel Wendt Theatre where she conducted an art exhibition. It was her third art exhibition in Colombo.

She said she has never done wall paintings, other than the one at Sri Sudharshanaramaya.

"Although I had a dream of finishing a wall painting at a historically valued place I was unable to fulfil that obligation till I was invited by the Most Ven. Barathi Thera,".

She said that before starting her wall painting work, she visited many ancient temples in the country to acquire a knowledge on wall paintings.

"I also got instructions on wall paintings from famous painter Jayasiri Semage, and on his initiative I had an opportunity to see the paintings at Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya,".

She said that she intends to do more wall paintings at historical places in the future.