Research study of Mangalagama Royal Artificers

The Royal Artificers of Mangalagama and their Descendants

Author: D.D.M. Waidyasekera
Published by Stamford Lake (Pvt) Ltd.

Reviewed by R.S. Karunaratne

Sri Lanka has produced a host of historic sites, families, architecture, arts and crafts and folklore among other traditions in different parts of the country. It is difficult to trace the ancestry and history of the families and their works due to the lack of historical evidence.

However, there are other sources such as official documents, records from the National Archives and other libraries, sannasas granted by the Sinhala Kings, lekammiti, vittipatra, tudapat and kadaimpoth.

In the case of artificers or craftsmen, the task is more difficult. Ananda Coomaraswamy said, "The names of artificers are not recorded in their work nor as a rule remembered except by their own descendants."

The Royal Artificers of Mangalagama and their Descendants is an attempt to trace the history and ancestry of an ancient village Mangalagama in the Kandyan kingdom.

The village itself lies on the 54th milepost on the Colombo - Kandy Road and is markedly visible by two of its characteristics in the form of its ancient vihara and the renovated Ambalama.

The village has historical importance. Even Paranavitana said, "The role played by the Mangalagama craftsmen in the Kandyan Court was unique."

Origins

Waidyasekera's study begins with a description of the origins of the clan of artificers in India, its mythical ancestor Viswakarama regarded as the revealer of the science of architecture and mechanics, their advent to Sri Lanka before and after Vijaya in 483 BC and Sanghamitta who brought the Bo-tree in 289 BC. The origins of the village, its Bo-tree and Ambalama are traced more particularly from the 15th century AD.

During the reign of Bhuvaneka Bahu VI of Kotte (AD 1469-1477) there came a reputed Mulachariya from Dambadiva, who was brought to Kotte with full honours on the King's own elephant.

The Mulachariya presented the king with a telescope and an hour glass (clock), in return for which the King granted him the village of Mangalagama as a Nindagama and bestowed on him the title Mandalawalli.

All the Sannasas granted are recorded in the Vitti Patraya and given in Bell's Report on the Kegalla District 1892 and produced in the Appendix to the book.

Unique roof

The book gives particulars of the various Sannasas granted at different times by the Sinhala Kings to the descendant families particularly in the Kandyan districts and supported by reference to such researchers as Codrington, Lawrie's Gazetteer and Bell.

The details of the Mangalagama Vihara, and Bo-tree, particulars of the ancient Ambalama especially its unique timbered roof and decorated pekada pillars as described aptly in Ananda Coomaraswamy's Medieval Sinhalese Art.

They are provided in detail with illustrations and a fascinating insight into the uniqueness of some of the historical structures of the country.

The author's research into the life and works of the unique Kandyan designer and architect builder Dewendra Mulachariya who is credited with designing and construction of the Pattiripuwa or Octagon of the Dalada Maligawa, the Magul Maduwa or Audience Hall and the highly original concept of the Cloud Wall or Walakul Baemma surrounding the Kandy Lake is unique.

He worked under three Kings, Kirti Sri Rajasinha, Rajadhi Rajasinha and Sri Wickrema Rajasinha. However, little is known of the life and works of the brilliant Kandyan designer builder. His other architectural works and the stories behind the building of the Octagon, Magul Maduwa and the Cloud Wall provide an interesting insight into the intrigues prevalent in the Kandyan Court. They ultimately led to his drowning himself in the Kandy Lake.

Kandy Archives

The author has researched into his family and descendants based on the Judicial Commissioner's Court Proceedings of the early 19 century in the Kandy Archives.

The book gives a description of the works of the Kandyan painters or Sittaru during the period. As a rule the names of the painters themselves are not given in the paintings and are known mostly through the various sannasas granted by the Kings as a reward for their work. Illustrations are provided of some of the wall paintings in Dambulla, Gangarama, Degaldoruwa, Ridi Vihara and the Dalada Maligawa and the names of the painters are given in the book. Illustrations and descriptions of the jewellery and other ornaments produced for the Kings by the Mangalagama royal artificers as well as specimens of the ancient Sinhala royal crowns and the evolution of their designs from the Anuradhapura period (including that of Dutugemunu and Valagamba) to the 18th and 19th centuries are a unique feature of the book.

The details of the recent descendants and their families are provided including genealogy charts and photographs.

Appendix

The Appendix provides very useful information on ancient vitti patra and tudapat as well as old court records and law reports as supporting evidence for the study. The author gives a number of references in the study including those of reputed scholars as Ananda Coomaraswamy, H.W. Codrington, H.C.P. Bell, A.C. Lawrie, Lorna Devaraja and K.D. Paranavitana.

The author is a former Commissioner of Inland Revenue but the present volume is a historical research.

The book will be of interest to scholars, researchers, students, historians, social scientists and to general reader.