Art & Handicrafts

Sri Lanka's temple art is among the most significant in Asia. The island has developed its own architectural style, distinctly different from Indian, Burmese, or Thai temples:

• Dagobas (Stupas): The bell-shaped white domes are the hallmark of Sinhalese temples. The largest (Jetavanaramaya in Anuradhapura, 122 m) were among the tallest structures of the ancient world.
• Vatadage: Circular relic houses, unique to Sri Lanka. The finest example is in Polonnaruwa.
• Cave Temples: From Dambulla to dozens of smaller cave temples — the tradition of converting natural caves into places of worship dates back to the 3rd century BC.
• Frescoes: The Maidens of the Clouds in Sigiriya (5th century) are world-famous, but the ceiling paintings of Dambulla and the wall paintings of smaller temples are also remarkable.

The traditional masks of Sri Lanka (Vesmuhunu) have their roots in ritual dances and healing ceremonies. They are primarily carved on the southwest coast around Ambalangoda — where there is a fascinating mask museum and several workshops to visit.

Types of Masks

• Sanni Masks: 18 disease demons summoned and exorcised during healing ceremonies (Thovil). Each mask represents a specific illness.
• Kolam Masks: For traditional Kolam theater, a satirical mask comedy featuring kings, demons, and everyday figures.
• Raksha Masks: Demon masks with protruding eyes and snake hair — the most popular souvenirs.

Batik is a vibrant art form in Sri Lanka: cotton fabrics are painted with hot wax, dyed, and dewaxed — often in multiple stages to create complex patterns and vivid colors. The motifs range from elephants and tropical birds to abstract patterns and temple scenes.

The best batik workshops are found along the southwest coast and in Kandy. Many also offer courses where you can create your own batik cloth (2–3 hours, from 2,000 LKR / 5.70 €).

The Kandyan Dance (Uda Rata Natum) is Sri Lanka's most famous dance form — a powerful, acrobatic dance with elaborate costumes, headgear, and rhythmic drum sounds. Originally a ritual dance at the Esala Perahera in Kandy, it is now also performed at daily cultural shows.

Visiting Dance Shows

• Kandy Lake Club: Daily performance at 5:00 PM, 1,500 LKR. Several dance styles, fire-walking finale.
• Kandyan Art Association: More intimate performance, often with explanations.
• Esala Perahera (July/August): The most authentic experience — ten nights of dance, drumming, and decorated elephants in the streets of Kandy.

In addition to the Kandyan dance, there are other traditional dance forms: the Low Country Dance (Devil Dance) with ritual masks on the southern coast and the Sabaragamuwa Dance in the southwest.