3rd Biennial Conference - 2015

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    Colonial legacy in Pune: An academic and architectural heritage
    (Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Dasture, P.
    Historical readings on the colonial heritage of education are rather limited. Furthermore, a study of this nature focusing principally on the city of Pune, is even more difficult to find.Heritage is all around us; it can be found in our environs, in traditional practices, in monuments, which in entirety become a part of life. Socio-economic, cultural and religious vicissitudes and changes were observed in Pune during the colonial period from 1818-1947; however, one of the longer lasting impacts of British rule in the city, has been its educational institutions established during the above mentioned period; schools, colleges and research institutes, which have been serving the masses for over more than 150 years. The educational legacy of these heritage monuments and traditions of Pune, the ‘Oxford of the East’, continues through schools like the Bishop’s, St Mary’s, St Anne’s, St. Vincent’s; colleges like Deccan College, Fergusson College, Agriculture College, the University of Pune, the Wadia College and the likes.
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    West-orient Memsaabs of Indian Films in Colonial period: The history, heritage and hegemony
    (Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Condra, R.
    The growth of Indian cinema and its messages under British colonial rule significantly parallel the political and societal atmosphere of the country of the time thus asserting it historical and cultural identity. Certainly, there was a significant contribution of western community and their technology in this evolution. The pre-colonial period generation invariably benefited from each other with cultural wisdom of one, and the modern integration of the other. Due to societal prejudices women of Indian origin were discouraged to become part of film industry. We so find the preliminary female actors in Indian films being of foreign origins. They may be considered as leading female entrepreneurs of Indian Film industry. They were integral part of decision making working in different capacity as an Actor, Director, Music composer and prominently Proprietor of film Production house. The journey for them was not simple but extremely challenging. However, they prolifically emerged as indispensible part of what we today understand as ‘making of modern Indian woman’. This study aims to analyse historical and social stature of Anglo-Indian female actors, their stardom, accomplishments- failures and contribution in shaping the imagery of modern Indian women. The paper will consider the physical and virtual migration and assimilation of western filmic individuals into mainstream modern Indian cultural premise. Further, a review will be made of trend setting phenomenal transition where ‘modern’ Indian minds were conditioned to appreciate western ideas, white-skinned heroines and related aspects of modernisation. The film themes, orientalisation of heroines of western origin, their contribution to Indian society and censorship in colonial India will further be discussed.
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    Heritage Walks and Trails: The Monumental Mystique through the lanes of Delhi
    (Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Srivastava, M.
    Heritage is rooted in the language, customs and practices brought over from their respective countries of origin. To an extent one may agree with this as in spite of agreements amongst scholars on the definition of heritage, its diversities that could be natural, local or regional, along with the attitudes of the locals, socio-economic and political conditions and the heritage policies of the government cannot lead towards one operational model and nor should aspire for that except for certain basic norms like showcasing and interpretation. However, these also are influenced by the conditions referred to above. We have to take into account here that the showcasing and interpretation of heritage is now a part of the heritage product that is experienced and marketed also for revenue generation being the pull factor for tourism as a visitor attraction. We have to take into account here that the showcasing and interpretation of heritage is now a part of the heritage product that is experienced and marketed also for revenue generation being the pull factor for tourism as a visitor attraction. Today, we showcase monuments, festivals, arts, crafts, cultures, by developing them as tourism products wherein interpretation and live re-enactment are often used. In the selection process, the idea of heritage is concerned. The term ‘heritage’ is also similar to architecture in the sense that it associates with power-who defines what is heritage. Heritage as collective inheritance is a symbol of a community civilization and culture. Political power, particularly nation state takes a dominant role in defining what national heritage is. Nowadays, heritage walks has become a full fledged business catering to the needs of such visitors who not only want to see the monument but know more about its surroundings along with the cultural heritage to the specific area. For example, for such visitors it is not just the Qutub Minar that is an attraction but also the nearby monuments and surroundings with their history and the living cultures that still carries on. Travelling through the old Mohallas and Gullies of Chandni Chowk and Old Delhi reenacts the time and the cultures which have thrived, survived and continuing to live in harmony. Walk through the passages and halls of these buildings, and quietly unfold the unknown tales of the rulers who made them. These walks and drives are an insight of the historic era and heritage structures which still stay to say the story of Civilizations in Delhi. Personalize, educative and imaginative, the walking tours highlight the vast range of architectural styles, planning elements and ornamental details, tracing the social and cultural history of the city. The Delhi will be best showcased through the series of walks and will eventually become a regular feature for the entire tourist traffic both domestic and international. These walks also foresee to be a medium to conserve the heritage structures falling on the route of the heritage walks which in turn would help restoring the historicity for the posterity.
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    Identification of socio- archeological responsibility of irrigation system
    (Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Withanachchi, C.R.
    The objective of this research is to explore and identify the socio-archeological responsibility of the irrigation industry. This study pays more attention to the various activities that led to the development of the irrigation industry. More specifically an attempt is made to analyze the social, political and natural activities that resulted in the development of the irrigation industry. While studying the socio – archaeological space that affected the development of the irrigation of ancient Sri Lanka, it is clear that it has been examined as a wide range. Irrigation is not born alone and it is a procedure, built on the needs of people and developed gradually because of them. Water has been a political device and by this time it had come forward with the usage as “Water politics”, owing to the social validity of water. When considering this concept regarding Sri Lanka, it is very clear that a long history has been built in the irrigation field. It seems that since ancient times it was a duty of the state, to give the benefits through water management to the public, as a basic trick to ensure development. During the pre-historic era with scattered settlements and little population it was easier to make use of water by constructing temporary bunds and small tanks to store rain water. However, it is clear that while the early historical period led to the construction of medium and large scale irrigation systems, in order to understand the people and the political authority of the society it is not enough to raise the water use methods further according to the rapid growth of population expansion. The potential separations of the three main areas of responsibility of the irrigation industry are related social activities, political activities and natural activities.
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    Understanding Gender Role Behaviors: Single Sex vs. Mixed Sex Schools
    (Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Wimaladhamma Thero, K.
    Sri Lanka, as an Asian country gives a very important place to gender roles. Understanding roles of one’s own gender and opposite gender is very important as it helps people to learn the way to live in society because gender is basically a social construct. Through socialization, children learn gender role behaviors from a very early age from various sources and school can be considered one of the most important sources through which children learn gender role behaviors. Understanding gender role behaviors may be different according to the type of the school (single sex or mixed sex) because the environment and the socialization process of single sex schools and mixed sex schools differ. Gender is embedded in social institutions. The concept, “gender institution” means that the entire institution is patterned by gender. Gendered institutions illustrate the total pattern of gender relations which includes stereotypical expectations, interpersonal relationships, the division of labor along the lines of gender, the images and symbols that support these divisions and the different placement of men and women in social, economic and political hierarchies of institutions. Thus, when considering these facts, Sri Lankan schools belong to gendered institutions because they have embedded specific gender patterns inside schools. The environment background and the socialization process of both single and mixed sex schools convey different gender role behaviors for both boys and girls. Here, in this study, the researcher would like to point out how the socialization process of single sex and mixed sex schools influences the students to understand gender role behaviors. The study will basically focus on how the teacher expectations, classroom interaction, the content of the curriculum and the representation of men and women as teachers and school leaders, the school text books, characters in school text books, the importance of time the students spend in the school etc. are related to understanding different gender role behaviors for both girls and boys and how they ultimately convey and generate gender stereotypes, gender biases, and gender discrimination.
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    Administration of Udugampola, sub kingdom: A Historical and Archaeological Legacy
    (Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Wijesuriya, D.
    This paper aims to bring forward with a new perspective of the remaining factors concerning the historical and archaeological backdrop of Udugampola, a sub kingdom of the Kotte kingdom existent in the history of Sri Lanka. A trail of provincial administration ruled by deputies under the guidance of the king can be observed at certain periods in the history of Sri Lanka. Such an administrative divisions were called Upa Rajadhani or sub kingdoms. Udugampola at the Gampaha district is one of such sub kingdoms of the Kotte kingdom. The available historical sources such as the battle of Alakeshwara in Rajaawaliya provide proof for the fact that King Sakalakala Wallakabahu, the son of Veeraparakramabahu VIII of Kotte had ruled this region, during the Kotte period. The palace of the king of Udugampola was at the premises of the present Uttararama temple, where a pond and remnants of a moat is still being identified. However, this legacy is diminishing with each passing day. In the spotlight cast over prominent ancient kingdoms such as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the value and importance of ancient sub kingdoms like these with archaeological significance stands diminished. With very limited discussion about these sites, the possibility to be forgotten over time threatens the existence of their evidence.
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    Cultural Tourism and Museums
    (Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Widyarathne, S.
    The heritage of a country plays a key role in cultural tourism. In global tourism, this is identified as a rapidly growing segment. Mainly, this trend is set with people who professionally qualified and specialized in the relevant field and those who interest to review cultural heritages. This is evident by analyzing the number of tourists who visited places which are having cultural values in Sri Lanka. Gradually, the number of cultural tourists who visit museums and attend cultural or heritage performances are increasing. The cultural heritage can be divided into two aspects. • Tangible Heritage • Intangible Heritage Intangible cultural heritage does not only represent inherited traditions of the past, but also contemporary rural and urban practices in which diverse cultural groups take part; aspects of the preservation and conservation of cultural intangibles. Folk museums are available here in Sri Lanka for those who interested in intangible heritage of Sri Lanka. Folk Museum Anuradhapura The folk museum reflecting the lifestyle of the Nuwara Kalawiya rural peasantry and proves folk life constitutes the backbone of our culture. The Martin Wickrasinghe Museum of Folk Culture The museum currently holds over a thousand artifacts of Sri Lankan rural life, providing a vast and unique storehouse of knowledge of local folk culture and folk technology going back several centuries. Ambalangoda Mask Museum This museum is designed to introduce into the richness of the mask tradition of Ambalangoda. The museum, the workshop and the small library may serve as a centre for traditional arts and crafts and for research as well. When developing cultural tourism, the folk, traditional culture has faced many challenges in representing intangible heritance of Sri Lanka. Following highlights some of the future tasks required to strengthen the tourism industry in the country.
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    Traditional Fusion Dance- a solution of artistry to ethnic prejudice
    (Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Weerasinghe, A.M.
    During a performance of a collaborated dance which I choreographed using Kandyan (Udarata) and Bharata Natyam dance forms, I realized many similarities between the nuances of the two dance forms and the elegance of its appearance when performed together. The Kandyan dance form which is hailed as the most prominent Sri Lankan traditional dance form, is mostly performed and studied most often by Sinhala Buddhists due to its theological imprints. Bharata Natyam too, which is one of the most celebrated Indian Classical dance forms, is mostly followed prestigiously by those of the Hindu religion. The mélange of these two dance forms brought the dancers of my team together. My study was mainly with regard to the pre-conceived attitude that certain artists/creative performers of Sinhalese and Tamil ethnicities have which makes it difficult to use their constructive and productive energy to work together. However, my study will show that a mélange of Kandyan and Bharata Natyam dance forms framed as a contemporary fusion dance form, in order to be taught, studied and followed, and where both Bharata Natyam and Kandyan dancers can contribute to one another’s cultures, ethnicity-wise, will bridge this vague chasm between the two ethnic groups. A comparative observation on either of the dance forms mentioned above, on personal experiences, were pursued in order to gather findings, and to suggest the fusion dance form as a potential category of art which can be utilized in aesthetic education, while drawing away ethnic prejudice.
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    Involvement of Travel Agencies in Sri Lanka to promote Museums in tourism industry through the medium of tour packages
    (Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Weerasingha, I.
    In Sri Lanka, travel agencies are prominent in tourism industry in promoting cultural heritages through the medium of tour packages. A tour package is an effective promotional method in attracting tourists at the popular and even lesser known heritage attractions. Though there are more than 100 private and state museums located in the country, mostly Colombo National Museum is being highly promoted in tourism industry. This study discusses how the museums are being promoted for the tourists in the industry via tour packages. Tour packages are offered as two categories such as tailor-made and ready-made packages, but the research is based on the ready-made tour packages offered by the travel agencies. Research problem is ‘how far do travel agencies in Sri Lanka support in promoting museums through tour packages?’ Major objective of the research is to identify the involvement of the travel agencies in promoting museums in Sri Lanka. Minor objectives are to identify ‘what are the travel agencies involving in promoting museums, to observe particular museum which are being promoted by the agencies and to identify promotional strategies practiced by the travel agencies in promoting museums’. Both primary and secondary data were used while primary data were collected from a sample of 25 travel agencies with their official web sites where culture based tour packages are advertised in several ways. It was identified that a considerable amount of travel agencies have not included museums in their tour packages and mostly 90% of agencies promote Colombo National Museum and it is only 20% of agencies have included museum as a symbol of promoting tour packages. Since museum is prominent in cultural heritage in a country, it is the responsible of the travel agencies as a service provider in the tourism sector, to promote not only the Colombo National Museum but also the other national museums, site museums, private museums, and state museums which are significant in various aspects of heritage in Sri Lanka.
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    An ethnological study on the traditional knowledge and belief systems of Sri Lanka which emerged when predicting the future through the indications of nature
    (Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Weerasekara, W.M.T.
    One aspect of Sri Lankan identity is derived from traditional knowledge. It includes the knowledge which was gathered by people while they established in a certain geographical or environmental location. Experience gained through livelihood and interaction with the environment could produce knowledge distributed in many fields. The usage of this could ensure that it is inherited from one generation to another and continues till the present. These traditional knowledge systems could be described as possessing a certain ethnological value which needs to be studied. It is understood that humans gain knowledge through their life experiences. Upcoming drought or rainy season is predicted by the changes occurring in the environment or by observing the behaviour of animals. However, some indicators which don’t have a direct link with future events become societal perhaps due to such perspectives. These could be interpreted through ethnology as beliefs flourished from curiosity and fear. These will not be deeply analysed in this study as it does not aim at refuting the features of culture but highlighting them. The prime factor observed through the present study is the sensitivity and scrutiny of humans toward the earth and biosphere. The study takes an ethnological approach to explain the way Sri Lankan folk act on this matter and the way they predict the future by sensing the environment.