Sunday Times | The 2nd Edition of KALĀ: Pivot Glide Echo traces Sri Lanka’s Artistic Paths
January 12, 2025
This second edition sees KALA in close collaboration with the University of Visual and Performing Arts (UVPA), Colombo. As the UVPA’s celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, KALA pays homage to its early leaders such as J.D.A. Perera, Stanley Abeysinghe, David Paynter, and Tissa Ranasinghe, whose pioneering contributions shaped Sri Lanka’s artistic identity.
Established as the Heywood College at its current location at Horton Place, Colombo 07, this institute set up in the late 1800s was amongst colonial projects to train local artisans aimed at strengthening their objectives within the country.
In 1949, following Sri Lanka’s independence from colonial rule, it was renamed the Government Institute of Arts with J.D.A. Perera as the Founding Principal. The mantle was passed down to Paynter and Abeysinghe, along with Ranasinghe, S.P. Charles, W.A. Ariyasena, and many others who shaped pedagogy at the institute.
