The Creators of Sri Lanka who Come to Life with Rattan and Reed

 The Creators of Sri Lanka who Come to Life with Rattan and Reed

What comes to mind when we hear the name Thambapanni? 

The past of Ceylon Island is in our mind, but we cannot talk about all these things in one letter. That's why we talk about things that our own people have skilfully created with their own hands. Our ancient ancestors, who loved nature, put their lives second and protected the environment. They made various creations from what they found in the environment. They were not negative for the environment. Because of them, there are many crafts that have been passed down to the new generation. Among them, rattan and reed have a special place. During the time of King Devanampiyatissa, there was a group known as Kulupottan among the people belonging to 18 craft grades who came to Sri Lanka. They were assigned to make goods using canes. Accordingly, Robert Knox has mentioned in his reports that there were a group of people engaged in the cane industry in Sri Lanka. Let's talk about this industry further. The villages of Wewaldeniya, Wewalduwa, Wewalkadura etc, in Sri Lanka are famous for this. There are varieties of rattan ware patterns. Among them, the ring pattern, the net pattern, the milk rice cube pattern, and the papaya pattern stand out. They bring rattan to life and create chairs, pots, boxes, baskets and ornaments. Although this is a creative industry, there are many problems at present. Chief among them is the shortage of raw materials. They say that the rattan procured from Ceylon is not enough to manufacture the goods.  Therefore, cane has to be imported from foreign countries.  Another problem is that raw materials are expensive and their profits are also reduced. Another displeasure is finding workers and various substitutes coming into the market instead of rattan goods.

 

                                              

Another industry is the reed industry, where beautiful embroidery is done on the fingertips. They produce export-oriented handicrafts together with the traditional Dunukeiya and Vatakeyya reed-related manufacturing industry and are a strength for an industrial country. The reed industry is a traditional industry in Sri Lanka since ancient times. Special villages have been earmarked for this. This has been the main livelihood of many people in ancient times. Designs such as mats, bags, pots, baskets, chairs etc, are knitted using reed. It is not only in Tambapanniya that handcrafts were carried out using different colors and different patterns. Due to the focus on sustainable development, it seems that nowadays there is a return to traditional designs.  That's why reed-related products, such as chairs, bags, purses, etc., have been used. Related beautiful designs can be seen in hotels, restaurants, etc.  Isn't that an opportunity for the industry to rise again? But like the rattan industry, this industry has also faced challenges.  That's because you and I already know what they are. Thambapanniya's various talents should be shown to the world more and more. Therefore, these industries should be developed. In order to uplift the local industries, the government and the ministers in charge should intervene directly and set up a proper system to solve their problems and sell the products.  Also, the plastic and polythene products used today are harmful to the environment.  The re-popularization of eco-friendly cane products in the country will bring good times to these industrialists. 

E.M.S.Rukshani Ekanayaka

Faculty of Management

Design - Kirula Pramod