From a troublesome student to a celebrated teacher and artist, Kuruwita Abayawardana has mastered the art of bringing the seemingly mundane scenes of village life to life through his skilled and playful brush strokes.
Born in 1935, Abayawardana’s early experiences, including surviving a Japanese aerial attack over British-occupied Sri Lanka at the age of ten, have significantly shaped his artistic vision.
His drawing, “Kuruwita Town During WW11,” meticulously captures the small railway town and its iconic Adam’s Peak, set against a backdrop of Japanese fighter planes. Abayawardana’s recollections of those turbulent times reflect not only in his art but also in his journey from being a truant schoolboy to an accomplished artist whose work pays homage to the resilience of his community.
Now at the age of 90, Abayawardana is showcasing his recent works that vividly depict rural life and familiar scenes from his hometown of Kuruwita. His artistic portrayals include artisanal gem mining, women pounding rice, and vibrant village festivals, along with everyday activities like men with wheelbarrows and women bathing in the river.
These colourful and captivating paintings serve as a nostalgic reminder of a way of life that faces the threat of vanishing amidst technological advancement.
The exhibition of Kuruwita Abayawardana’s paintings is open until March 31 at the Siyam Niwasa, opposite the Town Hall in Colombo, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
