Dharmasoka to showcase Siyavasaka Abhiman

Dharmasoka Vidyalaya, Ambalangoda which has produced many scholars, sportsmen, politicians and artists will present Siyavasaka Abhiman to mark 100 years of service to the country.

Kalasuri Jayasiri Semage

One of his paintings

Siyavasaka Abhiman will showcase the paintings of the past pupils of the school. The exhibition which opened yesterday will conclude on March 30.

Among the past pupils who have excelled in art, Kalasuri Jayasiri Semage takes the centre stage at the exhibition. He will showcase some of his paintings exhibited in many foreign countries.

Semage was admitted to Dharmasoka Vidyalaya in 1950. His art teachers were M.W.L. De Silva and Bernard Lokuge. After winning many awards for his paintings, Semage held his first solo exhibition in 1957 at the Colombo Art Gallery. It was opened by the former Director of Education S.F. de Silva.

After leaving school, Semage joined the former Lankadeepa newspaper as an artist. Then he made a name as a pandal artist. His pandals adorned the entrance of Gum Udawa, Mahapola and other State functions.

In 1974 he left for Malaysia on an invitation to hold an exhibition of Buddhist paintings in Kuala Lumpur. He also did murals at three viharas in foreign countries.

He has held solo exhibitions in Thailand, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, Oman, Finland and Italy. In recognition of his services he has been awarded the Kalasuri, Kalakeerthi, Kalabhushana, Kalapathi titles. He also won the Sarvodaya National Award for his services.

-RS