Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c13.2

c13.2

IT is not meant here to give any exhaustive account of late Mediæval Sinhalese architecture, but only such a general account of it as shall enable the reader to understand its relation to the fine and lesser arts, and to comprehend the arrangement of such temples as he may have the opportunity to visit. It must not be supposed that Mediæval Sinhalese architecture can compare either in extent or magnificence with that of Southern India or with that of earlier times in Ceylon, to which the well-known remains at Anurādhapura and Polonnaruva testify. But it will be found that the typical Kandyan wooden architecture has a distinct character of its own, and that it responds directly to the needs of a small agricultural people, not luxurious, and rather prosperous than wealthy. In spite of the great remains at Anurādhapura it should be fully realised that the truly national and indigenous architecture has always been one of wooden building; the great stone buildings whose remains attract so many visitors to the ‘buried cities,’ were probably erected with Indian assistance and partly by Indian workmen; so were many later stone buildings (especially when for the worship of Hindu gods) such as the sixteenth century Beręṇḍi Kovil and the unmistakeable Hindu temple at Ridi Vihāra. Other buildings such as Lankātilaka, the Daḷadā Māligāva and Gaṇēgoḍa vihāra (Sab.) having more or less stone work in their construction were probably made by native or long naturalised *gal-vaḍuvo*; but a majority of vihāras are without stone construction, or have only a stone doorstep or ‘moonstone,’ as at Degaldoruva; stone steps and plain balustrade are also met with.