Kala Pola 2013: Montmartre of Sri Lanka

•  Concludes successful 20th anniversary edition
• Records 30,000 visitor turnout during two-day art fair  

Kala Pola, Colombo’s annual open-air art fair, celebrated its 20th anniversary in a riot of colour and camaraderie during the weekend of 26 and 27 January 2013. Gracing the inauguration ceremony were Ambassador for France in Sri Lanka and the Maldives Christine Robichon, Director of SAARC Cultural Centre G.L.W. Samarasinghe, Deputy Chairman of John Keells Holdings PLC Ajit Gunawardene, Chairman and Trustees of The George Keyt Foundation, and a large number of well wishers and invitees.

Kala Pola 2013 hosted a record number of 345 artists and sculptors, who in turn attracted nearly 30,000 visitors over the weekend along the sidewalks of Nelum Pokuna Mawatha, Colombo 7.

As part of the 20th anniversary features, Kala Pola 2013 also included an art auction, a public lecture series on art and a children’s art corner (each attracting over 120 art enthusiasts) and an exhibition of works from SAARC countries.

A significant feature this year was the participation of differently-abled children whose work was greatly appreciated by one and all. Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo hosted a café stall modelled on the hotel’s façade and decorated with artistic masterpieces from Europe under the theme `Medieval Art and Modern Food’. Saturday night entertainment included lively performances by Thriloka and Ravibandhu’s drummers.  

In a much appreciated show of solidarity, several private art galleries in Colombo joined hands and presented their own art exhibitions, thus extending the spirit of Kala Pola. These fringe events around Kala Pola added value to tourists and visitors and created an art ambience in Colombo.

John Keells volunteer Deluckkshan Dhanabalaa noted that: “Kala Pola 2013, as a two-day event was a novel experience for me, having taken part in previous years as well. I think that the art auction is a positive initiative in John Keells Foundation’s efforts to promote and give exposure to the Sri Lankan artists. I feel that the development of such initiatives will contribute to empowering artists with more opportunities as well as a wider audience.”

“The core objective of the George Keyt Foundation has been enabling ‘Opportunity for Art’, especially for aspiring artists,” said Cedric De Silva, Chairman of The George Keyt Foundation. “Kala Pola 2013 attracted a record number of 345 registered painters and sculptors from various parts of the country, providing the artists and the art-loving public an enabling forum to appreciate and exchange works of art.

“The two-day event is estimated to have generated over Rs. 7 million in sales, excluding what was commissioned by potential buyers. Hats off to John Keells Holdings and the John Keells Foundation for their commitment to the artists and the art-loving public of Sri Lanka for over 20 years!”

Echoing these sentiments, John Keells Holdings’ Head of CSR Nadija Tambiah said: “We are delighted with the resounding success of Kala Pola. Yes, it was certainly a grand show with a range of ancillary events and an unending visitor turnout during both days. Breaking with tradition, we transformed Kala Pola into a night art market on Saturday and this too was greatly appreciated. A major tourist attraction, the Kala Pola brand is now unmistakable and inescapable, and, has undoubtedly grown into one of Colombo’s iconic landmarks.”

To commemorate Kala Pola’s 20th anniversary, certificates of appreciation and rosettes were presented to 50 long standing participants. “Our grateful thanks to the George Keyt Foundation and John Keells Holdings for services rendered to all of us artists,” said Amaresh Pereira, one of the recipients of the certificates.

Presented since 1993 by the George Keyt Foundation, Kala Pola has continued to enjoy the generous patronage and strong partnership of the John Keells Group over the years under its corporate social responsibility program which is committed to supporting the development and promotion of art and culture of Sri Lanka.  Kala Pola 2013 also attracted a record number of 65 staff volunteers from the John Keells Group who rendered their services in organising and implementing the event. Volunteer Vidarshan Dabera said: “Taking part in Kala Pola was special for me because I was able to witness my first art auction and many fascinating creations as well. I hope that Kala Pola will continue to grow in recognition and the number of generous, art-loving patrons in the years to come.”