Traditional Puppet Art Museum

One of the interesting places, yet missed out by many when in Colombo, is the Museum of Traditional Puppet Art, situated on Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha,Dehiwala. Maybe its missed because it is not situated at an obvious tourist point. This is actually located just opposite the old Dehiwala - Mt.Lavinia municipal council building. Next to the Pinwatta Buddhist temple. I think most people would know this area as Pinwatta,rather than Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha. If you are coming by bus, can get into a 176 route bus and get down at Pinwatta. Or you could get down at the new Dehiwala - Mt.Lavinia municipal council building on Galle road &walk down the street passing the S.D.S. Jayasinghe hall, and when you reach the junction just by the old municipal council building,this museum is right in front.

The story began when Mr. Sarath Abeygunawardena, founder & chairman of this museum opened this in 2004 at Dewananda road,Piliyandala. He is a big fan of this traditional art that seem to be dying with time & decided to start building awareness and give new life to it by starting this museum. This must be the ONLY museum in Sri Lanka funded by a private donor and definitely is the Only Museum dedicated to Sri Lankan puppet art. As the museum grew, due to spacious reasons, the museum was relocated to its current location in Dehiwala about 08 years ago.

From the moment you enter this place,even the oldest visitor is transported back into their childhood with all the familiar characters seen as puppets on display. Kaalagola & Dikthala, Sirisangabo, Wessanthara & Jujaka Bamuna etc., Jathaka stories and Sri Lankan folk stories told by our parents and grandparents come alive in the small theater hall.

There are no specific details found as the beginning of Sri Lankan traditional puppet art. Some say its from India, brought down along with other forms of arts.Some say,it was introduced to us by the Portuguese. However it may have begun, there are indeed facts to provide that this art form has been in Sri Lanka entertaining the Sri Lankan population for more than 04 centuries. Ambalangoda being the most famous for this art in Sri Lanka,there are over 25 gurukula traditional artists all over the country practicing & teaching this puppet art.

For a single puppet show, about 10 artists take part and some of them are from the original traditional families of the Sri Lankan puppet art. They handle the puppets maneuvering them, voicing & singing. Most of the time, traditional Sri Lankan folk music & musical instruments are used for performances, but that is changing. A single puppet is usually about 140cm tall and weighs around 5kg.

Here at the puppet museum children can try their hands on puppeteering. Also in this museum you get to see traditional Sri Lankan masks used in Kolam dances, Thovil rituals etc. For the first time I got to see the complete 18 masks of the Daha ata Sanniya (dance of 18 deadly diseases). This was a very popular thovil ritual which was performed in villages to chase away evil that may come as 18 deadly diseases. When I was studying I got to learn the actual scientific basis of this ritual which on the surface level seemed very lame and primitive. But I was impressed & excited to see the 18 masks & how detailed they were in representing the diseases.

As they started the show for us at the Puppet Museum, when the Jester appeared on stage I couldn't help laughing. As if I was a kid again.

This Museum is definitely a must when in Colombo. Not only to foreigners, but also to fellow Sri Lankans, a place to go back to your roots. A part of Sri Lankan culture that is hidden and should not be let to die.

The traditional puppet art museum is open everyday except for Mondays & Poya days from 9am to 5pm. Entrance in LKR50/= for Locals, LKR500 for Foreigners for both adults & children. For the show tickets are LKR150 for Locals and LKR500 for Foreigners both adults & children.

Better yet, you can even buy puppets,masks and traditional wooden sculptures for prices starting at LKR750 upwards. Also you can book group shows for special occasions.

For more details contact;

The Traditional Puppet Art Museum

33/1, Pinwatta,Dehiwala,Sri Lanka

Tel:0723232519 (Sujanthi)

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