Female ideology through Post-Kandyan murals: Insights from the Kathaluwa Purwaramya perspective

Abstract

Mural paintings in Sri Lanka have long been a conduit for conveying religious, cultural, and ideological narratives. Particularly in Buddhist art, temple murals offer profound insights into the roles and the perceptions of women across various historical and cultural contexts. The Kathaluwa Purwaramya Temple murals, renowned for their artistic depiction of Buddhist themes, present a unique perspective on the female ideology during the Kandyan era. This study examines how the female ideology is portrayed in these murals, focusing on the perceptions of femininity, status, virtue, and societal roles. The artists at Purwaramya Temple utilized narratives and iconography to highlight virtues traditionally associated with women in the Sri Lankan society, such as compassion, nurturing, and moral integrity. The elaborate costumes depicted in the murals symbolize not only the esteemed status of female figures but also the societal ideals of social status during the colonial period. Intricate patterns, colors, and embellishments in the attire of female figures enhance their portrayal and reinforce their ideological significance within the Buddhist and cultural context. By analyzing the symbolic representations, compositional selections, and design elements, including costumes, this study revealed how female ideology is intricately woven into the religious and cultural fabric of the Kandyan period. These artistic expressions offer a broader understanding of how gender perspectives were visually articulated and preserved in the religious art during this era. This research employed a qualitative approach, utilizing both primary and secondary sources for data collection. Primary sources included examining temple murals and conducting interviews with art critics and historians. Secondary sources, such as books and articles on the subject, provided additional perspectives, enriching the study's findings.