I was once fortunate to be present at an annual Esala Perahara festival held in July /August in Kandy, Sri Lanka. This historical procession is held annually to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, housed at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy.
The original celebrations hark back to the 4rd century BCE, as a Hindu festival enacted to pray to the gods for rainfall. However from 4th c CE, once the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka from India, some eight hundred years after the passing away of Lord Buddha, it has been a great Buddhist festival celebrated over a day and ten consecutive nights.
Massive, gorgeously caparisoned elephants as well as Kandyan jugglers, fire-breathers, drummers and dancers in traditional costumes and jewellery enthrall the crowds. Several thousands from Sri Lanka and all over the world attend to witness this beautiful and glorious celebration every year.
No painting can really capture the full glory of this parade, I have represented the drummers and dancers in their traditional attire on one of these nights.
Original: Oil on canvas ; 12 x 12″ (305 x 305 mm) ; framed
Limited Edition Print : Available as Giclee print on finest quality paper or canvas. International shipment
Sizes available: 8 x 12″(203 x 305 mm); 12 x 16″(305 x 410mm); 18 x 24″(457 x 610 mm); 24 x 32″ (610 x 813mm)
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Will post rolled up in a tube with Certificate of Authenticity, number of the print and artist’s signature.
