Why did the University of the Visual & Performing Arts in Colombo choose maroon and orange as its colors? The answer, like the art it fosters, is layered with history. The University of the Visual & Performing Arts, or UVPA, isn’t just a modern institution. It’s the culmination of over a century of artistic evolution in Sri Lanka. The story begins in 1893 within the walls of the Ceylon Technical College, where drawing and painting first took root. Imagine those early students, grappling with Western artistic traditions, a new world opening before them. This seed of artistic education grew, blossoming in 1953 into the independent Government School of Fine Arts. Music, dance, sculpture, and crafts joined the curriculum, creating a vibrant hub of creativity. Then, in 1999, UVPA officially emerged. Dr. Lester James Peiris and Professor Sarath Amunugama, the first Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor, steered this ship into the new millennium. Today, UVPA thrives in the heart of Colombo. The campus is surrounded by museums, galleries, and theatres, immersing students in a constant flow of artistic inspiration. And those colors? Perhaps a reflection of the fiery passion of creation and the grounded richness of tradition. UVPA’s graduates carry this legacy, their artistic voices echoing across Sri Lanka and the world.
Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple
“Three sacred trees, they say,” whispered an elderly woman, her eyes gleaming with reverence as she adjusted her saffron saree.