Tukkawadu Gunadasa
Kala Guru Tukka Wadu Gunadasa:
The Master who made a name in the world by Masks Carving and Masks dancing …
This note of appreciation comes at a time when everything is in readiness for the celebration of 119th anniversary of the consummate artist Tukka Wadu Gunadasa, who blazed the trail in the Art of mask carving and Mask dancing . The great Kala Guru Tukka Wadu Gunadasa departed us on the 11th of August, 1903, having made his mark in the history of Sri Lanka and in the world as well.
Although the history of the art of mask dates back to many a century, the mask dancing or the Kolam originated in the Tukka Wadu generation, Maha Ambalangoda. Since time immemorial an estate by the name of ‘Tukka Wadu watta’, later came to be known as Thuduwegedara watta, had been earmarked in which two giant carpenter houses were functioning. It was in this same estate ancestral home stood, which was the birthplace of the Tukka Wadu artists. Both carpentry and architecture was the livelihood of old Tukka Wadu generation.
As it was available in abundance in the Madampa riverbank, the tree ‘Din’ was Intitialy used for carving masks by the Tukka Wadu generation of yore. But these masks which were carved out of Din wood could not make a name for them since they were not durable and ‘Wel Kaduru’ (Cerbera manghas) was chosen to be the right substitute.
Later in the days, with the timely arrival of Kala Guru Oinys, who had mastered the art of mask carving & Dancing from his village itself, made a name by developing of performnce and adding few more characters in the first half of 1800’s. This was ably supported by another expert drummer Guru Sinda, or Sinda Gurunnanse. It was the generation of Sinda Gurunnanse from Benthara, who had carved a niche in the field of drum beating, handsomely contributed for Kolam or Mask dancing of Tukka Wadu generation. Kala Guru Oinys was fondly called, ‘Kolam Oinys’ by villagers back in the days. Tukka Wadu Pelis, the son of Oinys, was born in 1856, who too mastered this Art, made a name in the field of Kolam dancing and masks carving from his young days. Kala Guru Pelis departed in 1955, at the ripe old age of 99.
The Tukka Wadu ancestral home was the birthplace of Tukka Wadu Gunadasa, whose father was Guru Pelis and mother was Karunakalage Lokuhamy. It was on 11th of August in 1903. Kala Guru Tukka Wadu Gunadasa, had been educated at the Methodist Mixed School which belonged to Wesleyan Diocese. His innate ability and the skills inherited from carpentry, architecture, mask carving stood him in good stead in being a genius in the field. His entire childhood was spent under the roof of Tukka Wadu house. Soon he became the proud possessor of Kolam team with the departure of kala Guru Pelis from this world. Hundreds of students from all parts of the island came to Tukka Wadu carpentry house, with the sole purpose of learning mask carving. These students had the golden opportunity of learning Kolam dancing too, with no reservation of the Kala gurus of Tukka Wadu generation.
The nuptials between Tukka Wadu Gunadasa and Enderamulla Binduhewa took place in 1956. She was very supportive to her husband while performing household chores well. Tukka Wadu Era Nandani, Tukka Wadu Chithra Ranjani, Tukka Wadu Prema Padmini, Tukka Wadu Padma Ranjani were their four daughters and Tukka Wadu Harischandra was their only son.
Both Tukka Wadu ancestors and Kala Guru Tukka Wadu Gunadasa never commercialized the art of Kolam dancing and mask carving. It was their prime objective to protect these age-old traditions, so that they may be able to pass down to progeny. With the demise of Tukka Wadu Pelis in 1955, his son Tukka Wadu Gunadasa, had to shoulder the onus of protecting the Kolam tradition, and he won the recognition of many foreign audiences who had come to see Kolam shows and those impressed had spoken in superlatives in international newspapers and magazines. In the bygone days Kolam shows were an integral part in the new year celebrations. In recognition of the inestimable service rendered by Kala Guru Tukka Wadu Gunadasa, then government appointed him to the position of a director in the Ruhuna Art institution, instructor of arts and an instructor of dancing. Kala Guru Gunadasa was able to produce a number of disciples in those capacities.
According to the book titled “Kolam Nataka Sahithya”, written by prof. M.H. Gunatillake, who made a deep insight into the dancing traditions of down-south of Sri Lanka in the days gone by had drawn much inspiration from the works of Kala Guru Tukka Wadu Gunadasa. Prof. Gunatillake has had his first interview with Kala Guru Gunadasa on the 22nd of January, 1965. This provides ample testimony to prove Kala Guru Tukka Wadu Gunadasa’s expertise and his contribution to the field. It is worth notable here even prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra had perused the manuscript of Tukka Wadu Gunadasa in his great production of “Maname”.
Kala Guru Tukka Wadu Gunadasa was famed world over not only for his honest teaching but as a artist who strived his utmost to protect the art for his offspring. Beril De Suth, M.D. Ragavan, Pobian Baurs, Tob Molliner, Terry Roony had spoken in glowing terms about this master craftsman. Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra, prof. M.H. Gunatillake, prof. Siri Gunasinghe and prof. Jayadewa Thilakasiri were too among the admirers.
It is a well-known fact that Kolam dancing had its heyday in the first half of 19th century as there was a significant tourist influx to Sri Lanka. But neither old Tukka Wadu generation nor Kala Guru Tukka Wadu Gunadasa commercialized this art. It was not a source of their income. But they honoured their art and did their best to preserve it. It is needless to say that it was a common sight those days some unscrupulous carvers moving about with Wel Kaduru logs with their carving knives at every tourist destination with the sole purpose of making money. But it must be admitted that Tukka Wadu Gunadasa never prostituted his expertise for filthy lucre. He respected the art with great honour,he was of the view that it was needless to go after money, those who value the art would follow him. Many’s the time we heard a number of foreigners who valued this art visiting him. Kala Guru Gunadasa on such occasions had given them his advice and instructions stressing the importance of preserving the tradition. For instance, Terry Roony, an American dramatist who acted in the drama “Thri Yathra Du Shodrong” in Paris coming all the way from USA to Sri Lanka to pay a visit to Kala Guru Tukka Wadu Gunadasa. Mr. Roony studied the craft under the Kala Guru for months, though some opposed it diametrically. A mask carved by Roony is still on exhibition in the Mask & Dance Conservation Center of Tukka Wadu .
Moreover, the note of appreciation placed in honour of Tukkawadu Gunadasa, in Rautenstrauch-Joest of Cologne, Germany, bears testimony to his expertise. There, a description of Tukka Wadu Gunadasa, both in German and English and same was witness by Sri Lankan Musician C de S Kulathilaka in 1977.
Kala Guru Tukka Wadu Gunadasa was given the rare chance of exhibit traditional set of masks at the international art exhibition which was held in 1962 in Tuskon, Moscow, which was a May-day celebration too.
Among the great creations of Tukka wadu lineage “Kava Raksha”, “Surambha Walliya Somi Gune” are special dances which always draw attention of local and international community
Furthermore, “Mudali” dance which was another eye-catching sight of the Tukka Wadu generation represented the Tukka Wadu family, a legacy from father to son. Eminent prof. Patrick Rathnayake speaks even today that the mask “Mudali” is full of life. In the words of prof. Sarachchandra, “It is no fallacy that it is the tradition that strikes most in a work of art.”.
It is no exaggeration that the entire workload of Kala Guru Tukka Wadu Gunadasa had been carved with surgical precision paying attention to the tradition and coloured with natural pigments. His expertise is interdisciplinary.
In addition to his carpentry, dancing and carving, architecture too was his penchant. The former Regal Cinema in Ambalangoda and the old Edwin Studio building are the evidence for his great knowledge in the field.
The anniversary committee of this consummate artist was formed in 2003, under the chair of Mr. Godwin De Silva, the former principal of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda. Prof. M.H. Gunatillake, maestro C. De S. Kulatilaka, former Chife Minister Shan Vijayalal De Silva and divisional secretary graced the occasion.
In 2011, the anniversary committee was transformed into “Kala Guru Tukka Wadu Kolam Natya Sansadaya” and a Conservation Center to accommodate his great works was built in honour of this legend.
Kala Guru Tukka Wadu Gunadasa was a strict disciplinarian who never went after money; He was well principled. To our dismay, this consummate artist took his last breath on 4th of April, 1977 at the age of 73, leaving behind his great legacy on his only son Tukka Wadu Harischandra, who takes great care and commitment to preserve this immaculate tradition to the land.
- Conservation Center for Kolam Masks & Dance of Tukka Wadu Gunadasa Ancestral Home-
N0 35, Maha Ambalangoda , Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka
References[edit]
https://www.facebook.com/HARISCHANDRA.TUKKA.WADU
http://www.tukkawadumask.com/ https://masksoftheworld.com/old-kolam-mask-from-sri-lanka/ http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2013/09/22/mon07.asp http://placesmap.net/LK/Conservation-Center-for-Kolam-Masks-Dance-of-Tukka-Wadu-Gunadasa-Ancestral-Home-321822/ https://www.fortunelanka.com/index.php/ambalangoda https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qK70Ivh7Bg https://musicbank.site/category/traditional-mask-dance-tukkawadu-generation http://fhss.sjp.ac.lk/budd/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2016/08/VIDYODAYA-2014-Final.pdf http://actionmovies24h.com/sri-lankantraditional-mask-dance-maha-ambalangoda_HmeazPg0cuhM.html
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