A fabric design analysis of Diyakachchiya
Hand-woven Heritage
Future Foundation
Author: Chandramani Thenuwara
Published by the National Museum of Sri Lanka.
‘He who cannot draw on three-thousand years is living from hand to
mouth’
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Hand-woven Heritage future foundation is
long overdue contribution to the systematic study of the textile weaving
traditions of Dumbara.
Chandramani Thenuwara who has worked as a professional Design
Consultant (Craft Textiles) over the years and is presently a Visiting
Lecturer – Bachelor of Design, Faculty of Architecture, University of
Moratuwa, has achieved her goal of making a memorable mark in her long
standing career as a specialist and teacher of textile designing by
making a long overdue contribution to the systematic study of the
textile weaving traditions of Dumbara, a hallmark destination in the of
history traditional weaving.
This book covers a study and analysis of the Diyakachchiya, one of
the eleven specimens available at the Colombo National Museum.
Identified as a bathing costume (and not an undergarment as it
appears to look like) of royalty and elite.
The writer has analysed all eight designs woven and composed in the
selected Diyakachchiya – guiding new weavers to reproduce the product
and orient weavers to gain in-depth knowledge of the design and weaving
technique that has gone into producing the piece of garment, which in
turn will serve as a catalyst providing authentic inspiration to them
towards contributing to the textile heritage of Sri Lanka by further
creating new design with an identity.
The Dumbara hand weaving technique – which is more or less a dying
art today has been brought back into focus by Thenuwara through her
effort in publishing a book of this nature, especially useful to young
designers working in the hand weaving industry and to all new comers.
The art of Dumbara weaving, which was always a subject the writer
dabbled in throughout her career as a textile designer and technologist
and strongly believed in the many aspects it has to offer to all in the
weaving industry at large.
By producing a book such as Hand-woven Heritage – Future Foundation’
the writer designer has paved the way to many students, researchers and
designers to draw inspiration from the rich resources made available
through the vast and varied techniques and the innumerable forms of
design found in the art of Dumbara weaving. |