Mahinda Pathirage:

Nature is his teacher

The name Anuradhapura is eponymous to legend. In the North Central Province 210 km from Colombo in the very stretch of cultivation lies Anuradhapura. It is the oldest capital city of the country built by King Pandukabaya in 300 B.C. On entering the gates, instead of crowded, buildings as in a modern cities, we see monasteries, temples, palaces and shrines spaced with fine lawns and beds of sweet scented. Flowers, diversified by groups of palms and trees of various spices.

It is in the city of Anuradhapura that Mahinda Pathirage was born. He had his early education at the Valisinha Harischandra Vidyalaya and passed his O' Levels in Science. From his early childhood the brush had interested him more than any other. His father who owned a small picture framing shop in the city too was an artist and an actor.

Anuradhapura at his time was regarded as a busy city for pilgrims and tourists. Visitors walked into his father's shop to get pictures for painting and framing Mahinda as a youngster groomed himself into be an artist. As time went by Mahinda became known in the city of Anuradhapura as a talented artist with a flair for acting, as well.

Abhinikmana

He inherited his father's skills and turned out portraits of leading personalities, parliamentarians, scholars and film actors. It was a matter for producing clever picturers in colour descriptive of the lifestyle of the elite society. By now Mahinda's name as a brilliant portrait painter had spread far and wide.

In 1959 he was offered a contract by a leading cinema in Anuradhapura town to do film cut-outs of main characters in films. Over the years Mahinda was accorded increasing recognition. Occasionally he participated in dramas.

He planned the entertainments, wrote the story painted the scenery, designed the costumes and took the leading role. He was, in short, the most active participant in the frenzied life of his day.

In 1977 he joined the Rajarata Sevaya SLBC program introduced in the Central Province. He took part in a radio play Rasavita produced by the reputed radio stalwart Premakirthi de Alwis.

Mahinda made many friends and worked hard. He sat in his father's shop and worked steadily, painting, studying, drawing, mixing colours for huge film cut-outs and always trying to perfect himself in art. Gradually Mahinda took to oil painting. He travelled and visited many beauty spots, waterfalls, wevas, the dagabas and studied and absorbed 'the beauty' of the sacred city. He acknowledged no other teacher except nature. He was sincere to his work and did not exaggerate the colours of nature.

His pictures were never overdone. Mahinda was always interested in village landscapes in their bright, assertive colours. He saw a wonderland under a hot blazing sun and painted pictures of paddy fields, lakes and waterfalls. He painted when the sun was at its zenith for it was at that time that the colours of the landscape were most riotous and fantastic to behold. His canvas produced leading musicians, artists, scholars and line drawings in flashy colours.

The picture here is titled Abinikkmana (the great renunciation) a drawing done in contour lines. The bold lines depict a woman's face with strong features in bright colours. The poetry of interrelationship of lines forms colours and tones. Mahinda has also done picture stories to newspapers Vatakeiyamal and Ran Rasa are popular among the readers.

His house, moderately built overlooks the Tissa Weva. Referring to the beauty of the landscape surrounding his house, he said, "I get a glimpse of that earthly paradise". He is truly a talented artist who excelled in painting, drama and sports. Mahinda intends to exhibit his recent works in the future.