Musical Iconography in Sri Lankan Buddhist Art: A Reflection of Religious and Cultural Identity in the Anuradhapura Period

Abstract

This research investigates the role of music iconography as a critical source for understanding the music history of Sri Lanka during the Anuradhapura period. Music iconography, defined as visual representations or symbols related to music, provides valuable insights into the cultural and historical context. The study employs a three-tiered methodological approach: Description, Analysis, and Interpretation, focusing on the primary subject matter, conventionality, and symbolic meanings of visual representations of music. Through this framework, the research explores the evolution, independent characteristics, and indigenous elements of Sri Lankan music as depicted in visual art from the Anuradhapura period. Despite significant contributions from Western scholars to the field of music iconography in the West, Sri Lanka has seen limited formal research in this area. This study aims to bridge this gap, contributing to the global body of knowledge on music iconography while highlighting the distinctive features of Sri Lankan music. Additionally, the research examines the influence of Buddhism on Sri Lankan music during this period, identifying foreign elements and the underlying ideological shifts that shaped the evolution of the music. Ultimately, this study concludes that Sri Lankan music from the Anuradhapura period exhibits both indigenous characteristics and external influences, reflecting the societal needs and cultural exchanges of the time.