KALĀ, rooted in the Sanskrit word for “art,” is a dynamic platform dedicated to celebrating modern and contemporary South Asian art and championing its narratives locally and across the diaspora. Founded in Sri Lanka, KALĀ’s mission is to position the island as a key voice within the South Asian artistic landscape—creating opportunities that transcend borders and spark meaningful collaborations and dialogue across the region.
We foster collaboration, cultural exchange, and experiential expression, shining a spotlight on practices and perspectives that deserve greater visibility and engagement. Inspired by Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage, KALĀ connects local and regional initiatives with global audiences, contributing to the sustainable growth of the art ecosystem.
team
Saskia Fernando
Saskia Fernando is a Sri Lankan gallerist and entrepreneur. She is best known for her pioneering work in developing the contemporary art scene in Sri Lanka and providing a platform for emerging artists to showcase their work to a wider audience. Saskia is the founder of the Saskia Fernando Gallery, which has become a hub for contemporary art and culture in Colombo. Saskia’s vision and passion for contemporary art have helped introduce Sri Lankan art to a global stage while cultivating a deep appreciation for the region’s rich artistic heritage. In addition to her work as a curator, Saskia is also an advocate for nurturing artistic talent and cultural exchange. She is committed to promoting Sri Lanka as a hub for cultural and artistic expression and has contributed to several initiatives aimed at developing local talent.
Michele Thurairaja
Michele Thurairaja joins the team as Project Director of KALĀ for its second edition. Michele shapes the platform’s vision to build bridges between artists, institutions, and patrons, creating opportunities that connect Sri Lanka’s contemporary art scene with the wider South Asian region. From developing residencies and partnerships to guiding public engagement, her role ensures every initiative reflects KALĀ’s mission of collaboration, cultural exchange, and meaningful impact.
With over two decades of experience in strategic communications, cultural programming, and stakeholder engagement, Michele brings both creative insight and practical leadership to KALĀ. She is passionate about creating platforms that give artists the time, space, and networks they need to grow, while positioning Sri Lanka as a key voice in regional and global artistic conversations.
Mariyam Begum
Mariyam Begum is a curator, archivist, and researcher. Her focus lies in the exploration of ecology and language in South Asian art. She has curated exhibitions featuring contemporary Sri Lankan practitioners, and her ongoing archival projects include the Udayshanth Fernando collection, as well as the archives of H.A. Karunaratne, Chandraguptha Thenuwara, and Jagath Weerasinghe. Mariyam holds a Master’s in Art History from Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati (Santiniketan), India.
Mandira Ranathunga
Mandira Ranathunga is a curator, assistant lecturer, artist, and researcher specialising in art history, contemporary art, gallery studies, and museology. Her research centers on gallery spaces and Sri Lankan modern and contemporary art. Mandira is a graduate of the University of Visual and Performing Arts. She is dedicated to advancing art education, curation, and cultural heritage.