Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting

Contrasting styles of women's attires

Women's clothing--Social aspects

Wall paintings--Madavala Vihara, Kandy (Sri Lanka)

This scene from the wall paintings of the Madavala Vihare illustrates an episode in the Uraga Jataka (one of the former birth stories of the Buddha). It is interesting to note that the ladies of the household, a Brahmin family according to the story, do not cover the upper part of their bodies when they are at home, but are fully clothed when they go out. In contrast, the maid does not cover the upper part of her body on either occasion.

Sirima Kiribamune

Madavala Vihare, Bokkavala, Sri Lanka

ca. 18th century A.D.

Period of study: 1986-1987

Version: 01/12/2014

Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Technical Officer: Wijesinghe, Lalith

Technical Assistant: Jayasundare, Subhashini

Photographer: Madanayake, I.S.

International Center for Ethnic Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation

American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies, Colombo

All rights reserved by International Center for Ethnic Studies, Sri Lanka.

Forms part of Photographic documentation of Women as depicted in early Sri Lankan sculpture and painting / Slide in present collection

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