ATTITUDES TOWARD WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN KANDYAN SOCIETY THROUGH TEMPLE MURALS

Abstract

In contemporary Sri Lankan society, which has historically been male-centric, issues concerning women's rights and responsibilities have become increasingly significant. Although the social contribution of women has grown remarkably in recent decades, questions remain as to whether these contributions are adequately recognized and whether women are granted equal status with men in achieving societal advancement. Understanding historical perspectives is essential to addressing these ongoing disparities. This study investigates the attitudes toward women's rights and responsibilities in Kandyan society during the 18th and early 19th centuries, with a particular focus on visual representations in temple mural paintings. The central research question explores how these murals reflect prevailing social views about women's roles during that period. A qualitative research methodology was employed, utilizing secondary data from books, reports, and scholarly articles written by colonial, local, and international authors. Iconology analysis was applied in the interpretation of the murals. The selected murals primarily depict religious narratives, including the Suvisi Vivarana, Jataka stories, and the Buddha Charitaya, where male figures are central. As a result, the roles of women are often marginalized. In these murals, women are typically portrayed in domestic roles—caring for children and supporting their husbands. There is little to no visual representation of women in positions of authority or involvement in governance. The artistic emphasis on male participation in religious and secular ceremonies reinforces patriarchal ideologies and limits the visibility of women's contributions to public and political life. By analyzing these mural depictions, the study sheds light on how visual culture reflected and reinforced gender norms in historical Sri Lankan society, providing a foundation for critically reassessing contemporary gender dynamics.