Lifestyles of Jaffna ~ Rare Exhibition Showcases the Richness of Tradition

Kolam ~ Traditional design made with variety of grains


Lifestyles of Jaffna is currently being held at the Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna. Artifacts collected from the people of Jaffna are on display. The unique exhibition will continue till 27th of September 2011 from 9am to 4pm. There are research papers read by the Tamil and Sinhala scholars from Sri Lanka and India during a seminar held simultaneously in Jaffna.

Views from the Lifestyles of Jaffna site:~

“The exhibition is an eye opener. I gained more knowledge about our unique heritage after viewing the exhibition. Although, I am student of arts, I did not know much about our unique heritage. The exhibition paved way to learn more. We ought to preserve our precious heritage” shares Rasapatham Karunanithy, third year student of Arts at the University of Jaffna.

“We, Jaffna Tamils are unique in every way such as dresses, festivals, food, handicrafts and rituals. But due to the prolonged war, we have lost many of our traditional items and values” shares Gowry Karunakaran with frustration.

“Efforts to have an exhibition such as this is appreciative, because it gives a chance for knowledge transformation about uniqueness and traditional cultural aspects of Tamil of Jaffna Peninsula. And this effort has to be an ongoing process” shares Balachandran Nirooparaj from Jaffna.


Cow dung, turmeric and wheat flour are used to make the traditional design


Traditional decoration to welcome


Traditional welcome for the chief guest and invitees


The Chief Guest, Director General of Archaeological Department Dr. Senarath Dissanayake declares open the Lifestyles of Jaffna


Viewers getting involved in the products on display


Exhibits are displayed in Jaffna


Chief Guest, Director General of Archaeological Department Dr. Senarath Dissanayake views the exhibition


Vintage car is parked at the exhibition site


School children are viewing the unique exhibition


Archeological sites in Jaffna