Special Characteristics of the paintings of Kandian Era

Abstract

Paintings belonging to the Kandyan period are re-divided into several categories: Madyama Mahanuwara, Dakunu Gurukulaya, other divisional styles (i.e. Sabaragamuwa, North Western etc.) of the major variations, the Central Kandyan style portray some specific characteristics that might have made and influence on the other regional variations as well. Thus, the objective of the present paper is to identify and examine the particular stylistics characteristics and technical aspects of the paintings of Central Kandyan style. Apparently, the artist of the Central Kandyan style has applied “continuous narration style” in that the central theme as the Jataka stories. Particular attention has been paid to illustrate every single episode belonging to the particular story and they repeatedly sketched the same figure, subject, or the design continuously. Each of these episodes of the Jataka stories have been illustrated in the panel. The artist has also divided the interior walls of the temple into small parts and the stories depicted from left to right. In order to give a proper understanding of the story they have illustrated, the artist also provided a brief description underneath the panel. These techniques though unique to Central Kandyan style, relatively have made an influence on the paintings of the “Dakunu Gurukulaya” despite the fact that they have applied more decorative elements from the contemporary social environment. Therefore, it can be concluded that the paintings belonging to Central Kandyan style is unique to the particular period and influential to the regional stylistic development simultaneously occurred throughout the country.