The Art,Sculpture and Poetry of Sigiriya

King Kashyapa reigned with an iron fist during the 5 th Century AD, and it certainly shows in the artistic creations that adorn the walls of Sigiriya. It is believed that the king wanted Sigiriya to emulate the fabled Alakamanda, the city of gods, a feat the ancient craftsmen possibly achieved, based on the remains we can see today.

The Sigiri Frescoes

The walls of Sigiriya are believed to have originally been plastered and painted white to convey the idea of purity, similar to the manner in which the city of gods was depicted in the ancient world. But Kashyapa was more intent on creating a magnificent spectacle that would stand out and capture the attention of anyone who visited the citadel.

The king possessed a harem of more than 500 concubines, who were admired for their sensuous and exotic beauty. Therefore, it is widely believed that they were the inspiration for the golden skinned, bare breasted women that make up the ‘Sigiri Frescoes’. The intricate and lavish gem studded jewellery that adorns the women in these paintings also suggest that they may have been members of the royal family, namely Kashyapa’s daughters. There is also a belief that the paintings depict apsaras, or goddesses, that are emerging from the heavens to bless the citadel. This is corroborated by similar depictions in the Ajanta Caves of the Gupta period in Maharashtra, India. Some historians even believe that the drawings are really depictions of celestial nymphs who are believed to have been protectors of the Rock Fortress. What we see now is just part of what was supposed to be one of the oldest and most intricate picture galleries in the ancient world.

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Pidurangala Rock

The Mirror Wall

The ‘Mirror Wall’, was once so highly polished, that when the king walked along the drip ledge, he could see his own reflection in it. Subsequently, the wall functioned as a stone tablet, recording the thoughts and experiences of those who came to visit the fabled rock. Prof. Senarat Paranavitana’s work in deciphering these inscriptions is foremost. The poetry and prose carved into the ‘Mirror Wall’ describe the culture, lifestyle and environs of Sigiriya. Referred to as ‘Kurutu Gee’, these words have fascinated both history and literature enthusiasts throughout the generations.
Over 1000 unique words stemming from the main languages of the country – Sinhala and Tamil, have been identified from these writings. However, there are also prose written in the ancient language of Sanskrit, showing that visitors from the main continent ventured to see this sentinel. More than 850 individuals’ names have been inscribed on the wall, of which 12 of them were women.

The importance of the Sigiri ‘Kurutu Gee’ in Sri Lankan culture cannot be stressed enough as these act as primary sources to understand just how life was back in the day, and how this rock functioned after the death of King Kashyapa.
An intriguing passage of prose that depicts the beauty of the Sigiri Frescoes reads:

Wet with cool dew drops
fragrant with perfume from the flowers
came the gentle breeze jasmine and water lily
dance in the spring sunshine
side-long glances of the golden hued ladies stab into my thoughts
heaven itself cannot take my mind
as it has been captivated by one lass
among the five hundred I have seen here.

Another reads:

Like a Luffa flower entangled in a blue Clitoria flower, the golden-complexioned one who stood with the lily-coloured one will be remembered at eventide

A poem that embodies the joy of the traveller venturing through the rock fortress reads:
May you remain for a thousand years, like the figure of the hare the King of the gods painted on the orb of the moon, though that to my mind be like a single day
The ingenious planning and building of the ‘Mirror Wall’, allowed visitors to access the Boulder Gardens or climb up to the Lion’s Paws from it.

The Lion Staircase

The Lion’s Paws are all that is left of the magnificent Lion Staircase which was the only entrance to the palace at the summit. Chiselled out of the natural rock itself, it is believed to have depicted a crouching sphinx-like lion that guarded the entrance, intimidating visitors who dared venture forth. The fingernails on the lion’s paws, which are as tall as a man, provide a clear indication of the size of the gargantuan feature that gave Sigiriya (Lion Rock) its name.
From this point of the citadel, it is possible to see the splendid views Kashyapa would have enjoyed during his reign. A royal view, now to be enjoyed by all who brave the summit.

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