Browsing by Author "Ranathunga, GM"

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item: E-Book
Art and tradition of Sri Lanka - Volume 01: Music of Sri Lanka
Ranathunga, GM
Music Singing and playing musical instruments have been developed and spread according to their unique traditions all over the world. Therefore this book titled ‘Art and Tradition of Sri Lanka: Music of Sri Lanka’ can be considered as a timely necessary task. The author Dr. Gayathri Madubhani Ranathunga, Senior Lecturer at the Fashion Design and Product Development of the Department of Textile and Clothing Technology, University of Moratuwa has made a noteworthy effort in exploring the socio-cultural aspects of the history of music of Sri Lanka. The book consists of four chapters. The first chapter is about an unsighted overview of the tradition in Sri Lanka. The second is about the chronological development of the music tradition of Sri Lanka. The third is about the history of musical instruments of Sri Lanka. The forth is about musical instruments of today.Explorations are based on archaeological evidences of Sri Lanka and it is important that the author was able to build a sound dialogue between Sri Lankan music tradition and its interaction with society. This scholarly work is very much vital for researchers and students of the respective subject areas. Besides, anyone who studies the practical side of aesthetic subjects can be guided with insight into the music of Sri Lanka through a different perspective. Also, any who seeks subject matter related to music of Sri Lanka can understand the content easily. One of the responsibilities of a university lecturer is to contribute to the research culture and generously share and publish earned knowledge. Therefore, I would like to wish the author all success and may she involve in such service and publish more research work in the future as well.
item: Conference-Full-text
Art meets fashion: an investigative study of modern art inspired fashion brands in Sri Lanka
(2020-10-27) Ranathunga, GM; Madushani, SPN
Fashion shows a continuous change over time. Fashion represents the latest style of clothing. Inspirations assist fashion to create new designs to ensure they fit with the customers' view and satisfaction. A trend refers to a certain style in fashion. The symbolic aspect that transforms clothes into fashion is either an aesthetic attribute or brand attribute. Fashion has always sought inspiration from art, therefore fashion designers have been working with art throughout the years and now it includes contemporary and modern art due to the high demand for art inspired fashion in the world. This research is aimed to investigate the modern art inspired fashion brands in the world and find out decisive points in developing modern art inspired fashion brands in Sri Lanka. Information from primary and secondary sources has been gathered. Shop visits were carried out to collect information to study art inspired fashion. Secondary data were gathered by referring to books, journals, reports, and websites. It is expected that research findings would be beneficial for the stakeholders of the field of fashion in Sri Lanka.
item: E-Book
The Buddhist robe: The path pointing to natural dyes and possible establishment of a natural dyeing industry in the apparel sector of Sri Lanka with special reference on the Buddhist robe
Wijayapala, UGS; Ranathunga, GM; Karunaratne, PVM
It gives us pleasure to release this writing as a complete intensive study on the greatly unexplored area of the Buddhist Robe for the benefit of the researchers and for the University undergraduates verifying and identifying how natural dyeing plays a pivotal role in colouration in ancient context which signified much with its eco-friendly nature, what is commonly discussed and falls into sustainable practices. The Buddhist Robe: the path pointing to natural dyes and possible establishment of a natural dyeing industry in the apparel sector of Sri Lanka with special reference on the Buddhist robe is a scholarly work is the first of a series intended primarily as a invaluable reference source book for undergraduates of our Universities. This is a totally a practical guide in applying how the related natural colour substances apply to real life situations like offering Kaṭhina Cīvara Pūjā by colouring natural dye stuffs, since Professor Samudrika devoted more than 15 years exploring, experimenting and specializing in natural dye stuffs creating a path way for many followers by taking the initiative to invoke the imperative provisions of natural dyeing for the benefit of the textile sector meeting the expectations of the sustainable practices which recover through the proper application of natural dye stuffs which are available to us. The page by page coverage of the Sri Lankan Buddhist robe dye history with sumptuous imagery and experts’ accessible guide to the natural dye tradition of the country. This will serve as a great reference for not only for undergraduates who involve in the appreciation of natural dye traditions of Sri Lanka but also for academics who teach the subject and researchers who are involved in the respective fields. Combining contextual facts impact with cultural significance, the traditional robe dye adorns all types of surfaces from discarded cloth to refined cotton cloth. This scholarly work reflects this ubiquity by presenting a biography of dye forms in a different way – painted, literal and laboratory status of dye particles. Chapter one contains the uniqueness of Sri Lankan dye stuffs spread throughout history where natural dyes are plucked from history brought to the fore with essential details isolated and framed. This permits a detailed research of how natural dye systems become of a part of Buddhist traditional practice and culture of the country. Further this work discovers intriguing cultural elements and connections, which are based on original references too. This is an overview and an in-depth research of the robes worn by the Buddhist monks with its cultural context in relation to the great chronicle of Mahāvaggapāli, Vinaya-piṭaka of the Pali Canon in its 8th chapter: ‘Cīvarakkhandakaya’ describes the robe of Buddhist priests and its traditional practices. The second chapter is dedicated to establish a historical representation of the Buddhist robe emerging in the socio-cultural context in terms of developing its visual and figurative aspects discussed with an array of visuals depicted in Sri Lankan temple paintings. The third chapter highlight the art of traditional dyes in Sri Lanka with its colour substances, methods, materials and some significant dye recipes based on well proven literary facts. The fourth chapter considers the scientific clarification of the methodology of robe dyeing and its characteristics under set laboratory condition.
item: Conference-Full-text
Consumer perception of the ancient system of gift giving: The head gear of the king Rajasimhe II (1635-1687), Kandyan kindom of Sri Lanka
Ranathunga, GM
The concept of the ancient system of gift giving focuses primararily on the function and effect of giving among ancient societies where the market economy did not hold a dominant place. Gift exchanging was gradually replaced by the market economy during the middle ages and the early modern period.The gift giving had been an exclusive and essential historical custom of ancient societies. As it will appear from this essay on gift giving at the Kandyan court of King Rajasimhe II (1635-1687), gifts and favours continued to play an important role in the organisation of power and society. Special emphasis was placed on a gift of Western fashioned headgear from the Dutch to the King Rajasimhe II who ruled the Kadyan Kingdom. It is possible to suggest that Western fashion influenced dress was a sign of political, economic, social stability of Kandyan Kings in their Kingdom. As well, the gift was signifier of the traditional Sinhalese King's perception of fashion. This is a historical study to find out the influence of foreign gifts in changing the King's perception of a royal dress. Social order based on reciprocal relationship has psychological meaning and understanding. The King dressed the headgear at the royal court instead of a golden crown which had been the royal insignia since ancient times. The King wore it in the courtly presence, indicating a deeper affection to the donor. Gift giving tradition can be recognized as the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefits, specially for privileges during the Kandyan Kingdom.
item: Article-Abstract
cultural amalgamation: headgears of the kings and elite of the kingdom of kandy of sri lanka
Ranathunga, GM
Many foreign cultural influences shaped the tradition of Sri Lanka throughout the history. Traditional customs, norms, values, believes were mixed with different foreign cultural values and norms and came to practice then made our own tradition, original agent of influence is hardly evident. Sri Lankan tradition is a hybrid form of multicultural values which have been experienced and learned throughout the history of Sri Lanka. The Kandyan era(1464-1815 AD) during which most foreign influences came to Sri Lanka within a short period of time, namely South Indian, Western (Portuguese, Dutch, British), Siamese. These influences have caused a huge impact on Sri Lankan society in every aspect. The changes that occurred in Sri Lankan dress from these influences were considerable. The foreign influences reflected in the royal and elite headgear was a result of association and adaptation of foreign sources. The objective of the paper is to discuss how foreign cultural influences affected and showcase a unique identity in headgears of the Kings and elite of the Kingdom of Kandy of Sri Lanka. The research was carried out by studying wall paintings, sculptures, inscriptions of the period and reviewing ancient literature. Reliability of the data was confirmed by cross-checking data.
item: Conference-Full-text
Culture and fashion
(2015-05-07) Ranathunga, GM
As a result of different cultural influences the Kandyan dress showed hybrid formation of western, South Indian and Sinhalese traditional sartorial features. Sewing techniques and unsewn dress arranging methods were mixed together. The dress became an amazing blend of eastern and western dress items. They combined different foreign dress items together and made their own one. The analysis is explored through observational study of actual descriptions made by observational - participants, historical records, murals of the period and reviewing ancient literature, research papers relevant to the subject. Reliability of the data was ensured. The pictorial data were cross checked from different literary sources. Many original sources were used. Interviews with academic scholars, artists, inheritances of Kandyan aristocrats enabled to build a strong logical analysis
item: Article-Full-text
Curating Kandyan traditional clothing in the UNESCO world cultural heritage in digital paradigm
(2021) Karunaratne, PVM; Ranathunga, GM; De Silva, SSV
Historical notions of cultural values in the heritage sector have been identified by holders of curatorial expertise based at institutions with large collections of artifacts. However, the rise of new digital technologies has facilitated not only active two-way engagement with heritage, but also a broadening of what we mean by heritage and how it can be accessed, through the co-production of exhibitions, oral histories, and other forms of display and archive based on personal remembrance, recollection and interactivity.
item: Conference-Full-text
Dyeing of cotton fabric with natural dyes extracted from garcinia morella fluid
(IEEE, 2023-11-09) Bhagya, KPN; Samarawickrama, KGR; Karunaratne, PVM; Ranathunga, GM; Wijayapala, UGS; Niles, SN; Abeysooriya, R; Adikariwattage, V; Hemachandra, K
Natural dyes are gaining attention as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic colorants. Garcinia morella is a tropical plant commonly found in regions of Asia, especially in Sri Lanka and it is also called Gokatu or Gamboge. The tree exudes a yellowish resin, used as a color in 18th-century temple paintings in Sri Lanka. Despite its historical use in art, there is no prior evidence of its application to cotton textiles. This pioneering research assesses the fluid's dyeing potential and suitability for cotton, evaluates its colorfastness, and fills a significant void in the research gap. An aqueous extraction method was used to separate Garcinia morella fluid from coloring agents. The dye's properties were analyzed using pH, FTIR and UV–vis methods. Pre- and post-mordanting techniques were employed with three natural mordants: Terminalia chebula powder, Ferrous sulfate (FeSO4⋅7H2O) and Alum (KAl(SO4)2⋅12H2O). Evaluation of the dyed samples showed better outcomes with pre-mordanting in terms of colorfastness, K/S, and CIE Lab values. The dye rendered cotton textile in shades ranging from yellow to brown. In conclusion, Garcinia morella proves to be a promising dye source for cotton textiles. This discovery revitalizes an ancient Sri Lankan pigment, pointing towards eco-friendly dyeing alternatives for a sustainable future.
item: E-Book
Fashions of Royalty: The Kandyan Kingdom of Sri Lanka
Ranathunga, GM
This book aims at discussing the fashion of the Kings and Queens during the Kandyan Kingdom of Sri Lanka (15th Century – early 19th Century). There are plenty of visual records to study the background of this setting such as sketches and descriptions made by observer – participants of the period, historical murals, carvings and sculptures of the period. Wall paintings which depict the dress of the era, sketches of foreign diplomats are observed in the research. Historical details about the Kandyan dress are well documented visually even more in the early administrative eras. Original written sources and true pictorial evidences were used for the research. Besides, the Kandyan tradition has a living culture as well. Therefore, when dresses of the Kandyan era are examined the Kandyan period is remarkably marked with very significant signs with ample visual and written evidences. Museum collections of dresses belonging to the era were observed. Therefore, pictorial data were cross checked with different literary sources such as temple murals and particular literature, research work pertaining to the subject, enabling to build a strong logical analysis of fashions of the Kings and Queens of the Kingdom of Kandy. The Firstly, the study tries to testify the reliability of chosen images of the Kings and the Queens of the Kandyan Kingdom. The reliability of factors is taken as the key in presenting the chronology of costumes of the Kandyan Kingdom. . This collection of writings on fashion of royalty of the Kandyan Kingdom of Sri Lanka is based on fundamental documents that intend to discuss the original majesty of the royalty of the Kandyan Kingdom. In the ancient administrative eras of Sri Lanka, royal majesty was depicted almost uniformly in every temple mural. It can be suggested that the sartorial etiquettes of royalty who were depicted in the early administrative eras were based on ancient doctrine. However, the presentation of the Kandyan royalty in their recordings is rather exotic and different from early depictions. Each King shows individual aesthetic appreciation in his sartorial etiquettes. Their many dress categories, shapes and silhouettes, materials, colour, patterns and jewellery show intricate delicacy in fashion.
item: Article-Full-text
Indian Influences in King’s Costumes of Ancient Sri Lankan Kandyan Era
(2015-09-08) De Silva, N; Ranathunga, GM
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Investigating the design process of traditional costume penetrating a niche market
(Engineering Research Unit, 2023) Bhagya, KPN; Karunaratne, PVM; Ranathunga, GM; Ranaweera, HRAT
The design process defines each market segment in the apparel sector. Traditional costumes of Sri Lanka gained a long historical and cultural demand among Sri Lankan consumers. The most demanding costumes are "Nilame" costumes (male costume) and "Ohoriya" (female costume). This research identifies that traditional costume has become an emerging and demanding market segment today. The market segment is evident in Sri Lanka's suburbs in Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Rathnapura, and Kurunegala. The researcher predicts that the market meets niche market parameters
item: Conference-Full-text
An investigative study of the androgynous fashion concept and its impact on the Sri Lankan fashion market
Ranathunga, GM; Uralagamage, SR
Androgynous fashion is a concept prevailing among gender stereotypes by combining masculine and feminine identity together as a fusion. With the acceptance of gender expressions, postmodern western cultures are likely to show flexibility towards androgyny. The concept has been there since the 1920's and has emerged occasionally throughout the history of fashion, recently, the trend has taken over the world fashion industry by making fashion gender less.
item: Conference-Full-text
Investigative study to analyze market conditions to launch a surf wear brand with specific requirements in the context of Sri Lanka
(2020-10-27) Ranathunga, GM; Fernando, H
Surfing or the act of riding waves has become an ecumenical inclination where the population follows it as a sport as well as a relaxing leisure time activity. The market for surf equipment and surf wear has grown immensely giving large profits to businesses worldwide where businesses create a need for surfing today. Sri Lanka possesses one of the best surfing locations, which has become the center of attention by surfers worldwide. In-line with the prevailing market opportunity, the research analyzed market conditions to launch a surf wear brand with specific requirements in the context of Sri Lanka in terms of environmental and weather, culture, performance, and durability aspects. The survey used questionnaire-based methods and personal interviews. Close-ended questionnaires were selected. Personal interviews were conducted to obtain details on surf wear requirements under the aspects of technical, cultural, and design. Survey findings show that there is a growing surfing culture in Sri Lanka which is more towards entertainment than a professional water sport in Sri Lanka which comprises both local and foreign populations. The research showed that there is a demand for value-added surf wear and for cultural visual representation on surf wear.
item: Article-Full-text
Perception of Culture in a way of influencing in Fashion of Dress: Analysis of fashion of dresses in Kandyan Kingdom of Sri Lanka
(2015-09-08) De Silva, N; Ranathunga, GM
Perception is a scientific process by which people got to know and get ideas about environment. Several modalities of perception are there like Vision, hearing, tactile sensation, taste and vibration sensation. People influence in certain fashion through this process. Important factors involve in perception in a society are culture (norms and values), level of communication, accepted colours. For example same visual stimuli like elephant was percept in Sinhalese culture as a dignity but westerners’ percept it as mere big animal not the dignity. This means same stimuli percept in different cultures in different ways.
item: SRC-Report
Preservation of Kandyan traditional clothing (dress forms, draping methods and their usage in context) in the UNESCO world cultural heritage site Kandy and its vicinities in Sri Lanka
(2018) Karunaratne, PVM; Ranathunga, GM; De Silva, SSV
Historical notions of cultural value in the heritage sector have been determined by holders of curatorial expertise based at institutions with large collections of artifacts. However, the rise of new digital technologies has facilitated not only active two-way engagement with heritage, but also a broadening of what we mean by heritage and how it can be accessed, through the co-production of exhibitions, oral histories, and other forms of display and archive based on personal remembrance, recollection and interactivity. Since the late 1990s the potential of the digital world for generating new ways of engaging with heritage, broadly defined, has been a key focus of both academic work and cultural practice. At times, the emphasis has been on how the Internet can provide a 'shop window’ for the sector, and how this might be translated into physical visits to sites. Elsewhere, the literature explores how the digital sphere can be exploited to provide a dynam1c space for two-way engagement with heritage culture, aimed at providing a complementary experience to the physical visit through a range of phenomena (online communities,). The aim was to establish the potentiality of virtual new-media to digitally preserve the tangible traditional dress form after transferring in to new paradigm and create an avenue to preserve the vernacular with their socio-cultural context the intangible cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. How traditional dress form change to a contemporary form of dress is examine in the video production ..
item: Thesis-Abstract
Process of causing influences on fashion of costumes
Ranathunga, GM; De Silva, Nimal
Textile industry in Sri Lanka makes a massive contribution to her economy. As it is largely compromised of ready-made garment productions, fashion designing, the essential component that plays a pivotal role in the industry, deserves a careful and comprehensive study. Creating new fashions is the key to the product development in the textile industry. A new creation would not simply become a fashion unless it conforms to some underlying theories which are expected to be brought to light through this research. Using the Grounded Theory Methodology it attempts to analyse some aspects of its spectrum, such as ‘how a fashion influences the wearer’, ‘what makes a fashion popular’ and ‘what psychological, economical and social forces give rise to new trends and creations’. Several such theories have been ascertained and the possibility of their modification as to the practicability in the future application to the product development of the fashion industry has been discussed. The apex assertion of this exploration is that, ‘The adaptation of costumes in Sri Lanka is not oriented towards environment but to the task expected with the dress’ This fact should be taken into consideration in future development planning in fashion industry of Sri Lanka.
item: Conference-Full-text
Thrift fashion among generation z: consumer awareness of thrift fashion among generation z in Sri Lanka
(Business Research Unit (BRU), 2023-12-04) Gunarathne, HMHS; Ranathunga, GM
Thrift fashion is a relatively new concept in Sri Lanka. However, there is a probability to improve the awareness of second-hand clothing and sustainability. The research objective is to identify characteristics of the thrift fashion market in Sri Lanka and give insight into points of awareness of thrift fashion among Generation Z. This study combined qualitative and quantitative methods. Google surveys and interviews offered broad insights, while additional interviews delved deeper into responses and behaviours. Generation Z in Sri Lanka (born 1995-2010) shows interest in second-hand clothing, reflected in thriving thrift shops. Generation Z is propelling the thrift fashion trend, driven by its focus on sustainability and social responsibility. This trend allows them to showcase their style, discover unique pieces, and build a wardrobe while avoiding the negative impacts of fast fashion and reducing waste. In Sri Lanka, the thrift fashion market stands out for its increasing popularity, affordability, and wide array of clothing options. It emphasises sustainability, offers accessibility through physical and online thrift stores, and collaborates for social impact. Generation Z is highly interested in thrift fashion due to their cost considerations, preference for online shopping, influence of social media, style, brand consciousness, desire for individuality and environmental awareness.
item: Article-Abstract
Untitled
Ranathunga, GM;
Couture is simply the French word for fine, custom dress design, made to measure for a particular customer (Frings, 2002, 174p). Haute Couture (the most exclusive couture) is reserved for the best design and highest quality of fabric and workmanship. Couture is considered as the flagship of fashion marketing in the world. Consumers of such couture are from the wealthy elite class of society. Therefore couture is regarded as offering the opportunity for the purest form of creativity in Fashion providing the research and development for fashion industry (Frings, 2002,174,175 p). Apparel industry of Sri Lanka makes a massive contribution to her economy. As the industry is largely compromised of ready-made garment productions, Haute Couture, the essential component deserves a careful and comprehensive study in the context of Sri Lanka. Derived philosophies could be wielded in modern perspective.