Page 273 - Proceedings book

q
cd;sl mqrdúoHd iu¿j 2025

Photograph No. 10 & 11
Mosaic art at the railing around the stūpa compound Shailatalarama Vihāra

Discussion

In Sri Lanka, mosaic art is evident in Buddhist temples (Vihāras), elite residences,
administrative buildings, and tombs. This mosaic art form, which involves decorating

a surface with closely placed pieces of hard materials, features depicting animals,

flora, household objects, English letters, numerals, emblems, geometric designs, and
decorative motifs. Over the centuries, Sri Lankan stūpas have evolved to reflect a

remarkable fusion of artistic creativity, architectural ingenuity, and engineering

expertise. Mosaic art can be seen at the image houses, bell towers, and gateways of
Buddhist Vihāra.

When studying the mosaic art associated with the stūpa architecture at Vijayananda

Vihāra (Photograph No.01-08), and Shailatalarama Vihāra (Photograph No.09-11), it
becomes evident that this stylistic choice reflects colonial influence, as mosaic art

replaced the ancient form of stūpa architecture by adding mosaic for stūpa compound

instead of stone-paved compounds (Salapatala Maluva), and decorating the stūpa
spire, railing, and gateway with mosaics. The creation of mosaic art, often

incorporating fragments of ceramic and porcelain, is a reflective expression of human
creativity and philosophy.

From a social semiotic perspective, the imagery in mosaic art serves both denotative

and connotative functions. Decorative choices were not only aesthetic decisions but

also statements of political legitimacy and religious orthodoxy. Visual art is a tool that
can be used as an archaeological visual source for exploring cultural human history

252