Dumbara Handlooms;A valuable art that extremely unique to ceylon ;Dumbara Handlooms Industry

 

Often through the creator of nature, people endow us with beautiful creations. So I chose excellent Art to introduce what started in that way, By named Dumbara rata, Handlooms.

I am proud to remind that this very precious and invaluable Dumbara Handlooms production is our own manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka.Of course the charm and excellence of this art is beyond words.

This Dumbara  handlooms production has spread in the vicinity of Thalagune village in Udunuwara.The industry has largely been handed down from generation to generation for the most part.This industry has been in vogue since the reign of Sri Lanka.

Mr. Chandana Yapa is the most famous person for Dumbara production in Thalagune village. His grandmother was handloom artist, by named tikirathi.She was very popular in the production of Dumbara handlooms during the reign of King Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe.King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe came to know about this artist and asked her to donate clothes to the royal palace.

Tikirathi has designed a dress called Diyakachchiya which is used by King Rajasinghe for bathing.It is currently on display at the  National Museum,Colombo.The weaving machine used to make clothes for King Rajasinghe is still on display at Mr. Chandana's Dumbara handloom making workshop.

Written evidence of these Dumbara patterns dates back to royal times.  In the past, the cotton needed for these dumbara handlooms production  was obtained from cotton cultivation, and the dyes used to dye the yarn were made from the leaves, fruits, flowers, and bark of trees.

Dumbara handlooms production mainly manufactures textiles, home decor and upholstery for furniture, handicrafts etc.

Nowadays cotton yarns and dyes are bought by Dumbara handloom makers .They have to increase the price of their products due to the high price of the raw materials .The Dumbara pattern makers spend a lot of their labor time to create their products.  Therefore, they should receive a sum commensurate with the cost of his sacrifice.

At present, most of the orders received by these Dumbara handloom manufacturers are related to the tourism industry .These products are exported through the companies in colombo.

It must have very good training, very good knowledge, patience, restraint, clear mind and creative ideas to do this Dumbara hand loom production.

Due to the excellence of the Dumbara handlooms  industry, it has been proposed to designate this art as a World Heritage Art and a number of Sri Lankan Dumbara Pattern decorations and related works are on display at the Victoria Albert Museum, UK.

This industry not only generates huge foreign exchange for Sri Lanka but also attracts tourists and creates employment opportunities for Sri Lankans.

This valuable industry can be further developed and maintained by further promoting these products to the masses and training the people to make these products, facilitating the industry and gaining national and international attention.