Ancient and religious art
Buddhism, introduced in the 3rd century BC, inspired most early art: Buddha statues carved in granite and limestone, and paintings of scenes from the Buddha's life in temples and shrines. The rock fortress at Sigiriya has its famous painted figures, and the caves of the Dambulla cave temple are covered in colourful murals. Indian influence shows in the brightly painted Hindu kovils found across the island.
Colonial buildings
The Portuguese, Dutch and British left churches, forts and houses in Colombo, Kandy and Galle, with Galle Fort the best preserved example.
Geoffrey Bawa
Bawa, the country's best known architect, shaped the tropical modern style. You can visit his house in Colombo, his former office (now the Gallery Cafe), the Parliament building and his country estate at Lunuganga. Hotels he designed include the Jetwing Lighthouse in Galle and Heritance Kandalama near Dambulla. His brother Bevis created Brief Garden, a former rubber estate turned into a garden of sculpture and ponds.
Contemporary art and performance
Colombo has the National Art Gallery and private galleries such as Saskia Fernando. Artists display work along the street beside Viharamahadevi Park, and the Nelum Pokuna theatre hosts large productions.
Dance, puppets and masks
Kandyan dance, with its drummers and acrobatic moves inspired by animals and birds, is the national dance and a highlight of the Kandy Esala Perahera; see Kandyan dancing and cultural shows. The Traditional Puppet Art Museum is in Dehiwala, near Colombo. Carved wooden masks, once used in healing rites and dramas, are still made in workshops at Ambalangoda near Galle. Other crafts include handloom weaving, batik, mat weaving and beeralu lace.
