Memoirs of a crafts village artisan

by Ganga RATNAYAKE

Kalapuraya (Crafts Village) is a renowned hamlet that has attracted tourists and locals for decades. The site rests five kilometres from Kandy towards Kundasale, where you can spot the nameboard after passing two factories. The nameboard faces a narrow lane that takes you to the crafts village half a kilometre away.

In the crafts village thriving with traditional artistry of the finest craftsmen, I met a senior citizen in his mid eighties. Surrounded by many awards and his own masterpieces, he generously shared some of the glorious moments of his life. This is the story of the veteran craftsman Wijendragedara Jayatilake who calls Kalapuraya his home since its inception in 1965.

He was born on August 23, 1927 at Amunugama in the Central Province. As time passed Jayatilake mastered the art of producing silver, bronze and brass items adorned with traditional motifs and designs.

In the 1960s the Department of Small Industries conducted a stringent selection process throughout the Central Province.

Their aim was to find the best craftsmen and settle them in a newly built area in Kundasale called Kalapuraya.

It was a program conducted in three phases where they settled 35 families initially.

On the March 18, 1965 Kalapuraya was inaugurated by the former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. The initial 35 families included Jayatilake and his family. As the second phase in 1975 the Government settled 37 families at Kalapuraya. And the program ended after settling another 37 families in 1990. Presently there are 130 families living in the premises and Jayatilake claims to be the only surviving founder member at Kalapuraya.

Workshop

As with other craftsmen Jayatilake too ran his workshop from home. The local market provided raw materials he needed. Starting from four or five apprentices he has trained up to 30 to 40 apprentices in his prime. He produces all types of silver, brass and bronze items. They include trays, tea sets, candle stands, flower vases, betel stands (bulath heppu), ornamental bottle cases, traditional oil lamps and ornamental spoons among others. He also repairs various brass and silver products not only crafted in Sri Lanka but also from other countries as well. Time and again some of his products became masterpieces while the decades of dedicated service brought him many awards, honorary titles and accolades.

Sculpture

When I inquired about his achievements, a big smile brightened up his wrinkled face.

He took out a diary which carefully preserved timeworn newspaper clippings and a couple of laminated photographs.

The laminated photograph was of a delicate bronze relief sculpture portraying Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha. The relief sculpture was donated by his customer to Sri Dalada Maligawa.

To testify to his glorious moments Jayatilake took off a framed photograph from the wall and explained the event with an air of dignity.

The sepia toned photograph was dated April 20, 1954. The centrepiece was his creation, a stunning ornamental flower vase. The keen admirer beside the masterpiece was young Queen Elizabeth surrounded by the local dignitaries and Prince Philip.

Jayatilake’s product was gifted to Queen Elizabeth in honour of her visit to Sri Lanka in 1954 at Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens.

Among the plethora of his crafts another notable creation was the Mace (senkolaya). He has produced two maces.

One of them is placed at the Sabaragamu Provincial Council and the other is displayed at the Faculty of Science in the University of Peradeniya.

Taking his unparalleled talents further, Jayatilake has even created a stunning three dimensional silver model of the Bishop’s house in Kurunegala.

Humble dwelling

An entire wall in his humble dwelling showcases the many certificates, medals and awards he has won.

His works have earned the admiration not only locally but internationally as well. In January 1986 he attended the Asian Regional Artisans Workshop in Dhaka, Bangladesh where he was able to present his talents to the world.

On April 6, 1998 he was bestowed with an honorary title in appreciation of the decades of service to the traditional arts. The former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga awarded him the honorary title ‘Sri Lanka Thilake’. Medallions glittering in gold, silver and bronze hues showcased on the wall depicted the titles and honours he received in return for his eminent service.

At present he lives a peaceful life with the three generations of his family at Kalapuraya surrounded by rustic backdrops.

His son has taken over the load of work under the guidance of this veteran artisan. One thing that worries him is the new generation that is less inclined in learning the traditional craftsmanship.

Kalapuraya is no ordinary hamlet tucked away in the hill country. It is a special crafts village claiming to some of the most amazing craftsmen who can reproduce an item made anywhere in the world. With over 100 families involved in producing a wide spectrum of crafts, it is only natural to give them a deserving web presence and a wide market than ever before.

There are certainly many more artisans such as Jayatilake at Kalapuraya bringing honour to their name and the country itself.