 Abstract. 1980
Watercolour on paper. 30.5 x 22.5 cm
The Serendib Gallery Collection
Girl with fish. Undated
Watercolour on paper. 75 x 61 cm
The Serendib Gallery Collection |
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Manjusri was an aimless village lad, who subsequently by singleminded tenacity of
purpose, and sheer hard work in the chosen career, achieved the rare distinction of being
one of the most significant painters of modern Sri Lanka. His crowning glory was the
confirment of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, 1979, in recognition of his contribution to
literature and creative communication arts. He was also awarded an honorary Doctor
of Letters degree by the University of Peradeniya in March 1981.
Manjusri was born on 28 October 1902 at Alutgama. He was so fascinated by the
sight of monks begging for alms, that at the age of thirteen he joined the Sangha as an
acolyte. In 1922 he was ordained a Bhikku; the next ten years were devoted to the
pursuit of Pali and Buddhist studies. Manjusri went to Santiniketan in 1932 to study
Chinese. During his stay in Santiniketan he came under the influence of Nandalal
Bose and his interest turned to art. In 1937 he returned to Sri Lanka and stayed at
Gotami Vihare, Borella, visiting Buddhist temples throughout the country, making copies of
paintings of the Kandyan School.
Manjusri made an outstanding contribution to the preservation of these precious
national treasures by generating a national awareness of their importance in artistic as
well as historical terms.
Manjusri was one of the founder members of the '43 Group. Inspired by Surrealism
and Cubism Manjusri developed a pictorial vocabulary in which he created visual
equivalents for the fantasies of the subconscious mind.
Albert Dharmasiri |
