Presentation Transcript

1. AnandaCoomaraswamy Memorial Conference on Asian Art and Culture, University of KelaniyaThe Role of AnandaCoomaraswamy in Reviving Oriental Traditional Knowledge in Arts and Crafts Nirekha De Silva, PhD Candidate, Griffith Law School, Queensland, Australia
2. Coomaraswmy’sInterest in Revival of Arts and Crafts in the Orient Coomaraswamy’s family background. The socializing experiences in his formative period. The psychological implications of the perception of self. The socio-political background in the Orient.
3. Coomaraswamy’sChildhood AnandaKentish Coomaraswamy was born in Ceylon in 1877 The only child, to a Tamil father and an English mother.
4. Coomaraswamy’s Education Educated at Wycliffe College and at London University. Doctoral work – ‘Scientific Survey of the Mineralogy of Ceylon.’
5. Coomaraswamy’s Interest in Ceylon Roots in Ceylon Carefully studied Ceylon culture. Insider Vs. Outside status Negotiating relations with the Occident and the Orient. His pioneering efforts in safeguarding culture was enriched by – The influence of Western socialization Keen interest in studying culture and traditional knowledge of India and Sri Lanka
6. Distressed about the Colonial Influence The corrosive effects and negative impact of British Colonialism in India and Sri Lanka.
7. Colonization Introduced Western way of life. Disoriented the colonized from their art of living. Had the Impact of destroying the traditional art of living.
8. ‘The highest ideal of nationality is service; and it is because this service is impossible for us as long as we are politically and spiritually dominated by any Western civilisation, that we are bound to achieve our freedom. It is in this spirit that we must say to Englishmen, that we will achieve this freedom, if they will, with their consent and with their help; and if they will not, then without their consent and in spite of their resistance.’ (Coomaraswamy, A. K. 1909: Essays in National Idealism. P. ix)
9. Introduction of Western Education Away of introducing English way of life and English value system. The colonial education oriented the young generations, to the colonial language, to western religions to the western perspective of history.
10. The aim of such education system is to form a class of persons “Indian in colour, but English in taste, in opinion, in morals and intellect.” (Coomaraswamy, A. K. 1946:Indian Culture and English Influence: An Address to Indian Students and Their Friends, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, January 1944, P. 31)
11. ‘I have no idea how many years it might take to outgrow a missionary college education, or to recover from a course of lectures on Comparative Religion offered by a Calvinist.’ (Coomaraswamy, A. K. East and West: 10)
12. The Introduction of Capitalist Mode of Production “An acquisitive society, materialistic in its interests, unhealthy in its pleasures, disillusioned in its ideals and moving blindly towards disaster” - Professor Foerster, of Princeton University) “A murderous machine with no conscience and no ideals.” - Professor La Pianaof Harvard University
13. Breakdown of Value System Any established institution is governed by the values the given society. Most foreigners who attack and reject the existing institutions, do so without understanding the morale basis of the established institution. Introducing new institutions without understanding the moral basis of a society results in not been able to fulfil moral intentions. (Coomaraswamy, A. K. East and West: 15)
14. Breakdown of Traditional Legal System In the pre-colonial era, the law was based on the religious and belief system of the community. the law promoted and safeguarded traditional arts and crafts Roman Dutch Law was alien to the community in Sri Lanka. The new legal system had the effect in changing values, customs and social practices.
15. Cultural Alienation One can “become a queer mixture of East and West, out of place everywhere, at home nowhere” (Coomaraswamy, A. K. East and West: 11)
16. The Role of Traditional Arts and Crafts in Safeguarding Cultural Identity of a Community Artists and poets play the most crucial role in crafting the identity of a nation. (Coomaraswamy, A. K. 1909. Essays in National Idealism: p. ii)
17. ‘Art contains in itself the deepest principals of life, the truest guide to the greatest art, the Art of Living. The true life, the ideal of Indian culture, is itself a unity and an art, because of its inspirations by one ruling passion, the desire to realise a spiritual inheritance.’ (Coomaraswamy, A. K. 1909:Essays in National Idealism p.ii)
18. Coomaraswamy’s Efforts in Reviving Traditional Arts and Crafts
19. Documented Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy’ s multifaceted writings deal primarily with, visual art, aesthetics, literature and language, folklore, mythology, religion, metaphysics.
20. Defending Indigenous art and architecture in India and Sri Lanka Purpose of traditional art : preserve and transmit moral values and spiritual teachings derived from the tradition in which it appeared, and towards the satisfaction of present needs.
21. Interpreting Cultures, Arts and Crafts Provides an ideological base to interpret and understand different cultures, arts and crafts. He is a pioneer interpreter of Sri Lankan and Indian culture to the west. He introduces the religious meaning of art.
22. Promoting Traditional Form of Government The practical value of the traditional theory of kingship for the 20th centurypromoted in – ‘Spiritual Authority and Temporal Power’
23. Developing National Consciousness The two essentials of nationality Geographical unity A common historic evolution or culture (Coomaraswamy A. K. 1909: 7)
24. Promoting Cultural Nationalism Cultural nationalism meant, a national identity shaped by cultural traditions and by language
25. Ceylon Social Reform Society AnandaCoomaraswamy is the founder , the inaugural President and the moving force, of the Ceylon Social Reform Society (1906). The objective was to preserve and revive the traditional arts and crafts as well as the social values and customs which had helped to shape them.
26. Contribution towards Swadeshi Movement Advocated for 'cultural nationalism.‘ The Honorary National President of the National Committee for Indian freedom formed in Washington, USA, in 1914.
27. Promoting Indigenous Education “In order to safeguard the traditional education system, every Government and missionary college and school during the colonial period to be replaced by native colleges and schools, where young men and women are taught to be true nationalists.” (Coomaraswamy, A. K. 1909: Essays in National Idealism. P. iii)
28. The Impact of Coomaraswamy’sEfforts
29. International Recognition for Asian Art Apioneer in introducing Indian and Sri Lankan civilization and its arts and crafts based on eastern religious philosophies.
30. Reviving, Internationalizing and Safeguarding Cultural Identity Through, Ideologies Research Documentation Political Mobilisation
31. Think-Tanks to Promote and Preserve Traditional Culture Following Institutions were influenced by Coomaraswamy’s ideologies- Sri Lanka Institute of Traditional Studies The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts The Foundation for Traditional Studies in the U.S.
32. AnandaCoomaraswamywas, one of the most erudite scholars of 20th Century; who advocated the wisdom of tradition; and revived the cultural identity of India and Sri Lanka, through arts and crafts… Thank you!
33. SpecialThanks to My Supervisors Dr. Asoka SinharajaWijetungaTammita-Delgoda External Supervisor Prof. Fiona Kumari Campbell Principal Supervisor Deputy Head of School (Learning and Teaching Scholarship), Griffith Law School, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia. Dr. Jay Sanderson Associate Supervisor Lecturer,Griffith Law School, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia