Kolamba Kamatha typifies a nucleus village
by Indeewara THILAKARATHNE and Ranga CHANDRARATHNE
Besides providing a typical threshing floor
(Kamatha) in a Sri Lankan village, the Kolomba Kamatha at the BMICH
offers an authentic village atmosphere within the metropolitan Colombo.
It is not only a cultural site with a village ambience but also a place
of interest that one could not afford to miss out. Built in the middle
of the paddy filed in the backyard of the BMICH, the Kolomba Kamatha ,
among other things, epitomises an important visage of Sri Lankan village
life. The visionary who conceptualised the re-creating Kamatha in the
city is Bandhula Ekanayake, Director General and CEO of the BMICH.
Envisioned as a part of creating an authentic village in the city,
Kolamba Kamatha (Threshing floor in Colombo) has been launched recently
coinciding with the launch of lyrist and poet Bandara Eheliyagoda’s CD
‘Saduta Avanatavee’ on October 19.
The Kolomba Kamatha was created in the back yard of the BMIC in the
middle of the paddy field which has been there for over 10 years.
The outer periphery of the Kamatha is the terraces from where the
spectators can watch the performances being held there. By the side of
the Kamatha is the cattleshed which is a part and parcel of agrarian Sri
Lankan village.
The Kolomba Kamatha was modelled on the famous open air theatre in
the University of Peradeniya. The architect behind the concept of the
Kolamba Kamatha (Threshing Floor in Colombo) is Bandhula Ekanayake,
Director General and CEO of the BMICH. Plans are afoot to show films on
large screen in the Kamatha.
Authentic village atmosphere
Creating the authentic village atmosphere is a gigantic task given
the hostile atmosphere in the busy city characterised by gamut of noises
of vehicles. However, the atmosphere in the Kolombo Kamatha is almost
village and one could feel that one is virtually in a Kamatha off the
metropolitan Colombo. There is a little hut made of wattle and daub and
right behind it is a tree on top. On the top of the tree is a hut which
is like a watch –hut and reminds us of the days when farmers kept vigil
virtually throughout the night to chase away wild animals from their
cultivations.
The pathway along an embankment a little above the paddy field which
is known as Niyara, has been re-created connecting the Kamatha with the
terrace. Behind the Kamatha is a moat or Pathaha creating a miniaturised
waterway that one may find in a typical village. At dusk, one could
listen to the sounds of frogs and crickets which would certainly create
auditory images associating with a Sri Lankan village.
Taste of village life in the city
The Kolamba Kamatha provides an ideal village ambience not only for
performance of any nature whether it is classical or semi-classical
music or a drama but also for visitors to have a taste of village
atmosphere in the heart of the city.
Schoolchildren who have little or no time to enjoy the natural
atmosphere around a paddy field with a Kamatha or threshing floor can
visit the Kolamba Kamatha . It is a must site for tourists as well as
for the expatriate community in Sri Lanka to have a glance at the
Kamatha associated with the agricultural life of the village.
Important cultural site
Kamatha is an important cultural site in quintessential Sri Lankan
village with the main occupation of the villagers being agriculture. It
is on the Kamatha or threshing floor the harvest is gathered and later
threshed typically either with buffaloes or pressing by foot. A
significant aspect of the Kolomba Kamatha is that it has actually
captured the salient characteristics of Kamatha in the village. The hut
in the Kamatha is used for cattle and to gather hay. Cultural functions
associated with paddy cultivation such as harvesting is held in the
Kamatha.
Plans are afoot to make the Kolomba Kamatha a regular venue for
performances particularly on weekends.
Spend –the-day type of packages will be offered for the visitors to
enjoy authentic village meal and a performance in the evening on the
Kolombo Kamatha.
The Kolombo Kamatha can also be the venue for social gatherings such
as weddings and get-togethers in an authentic village atmospheres. Apart
from its cultural significance, the Kolomba Kamatha would be used as a
location for films and teledramas.
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