About Us
Meet Our Master Craftsman and Owner: Mr. K.M Senevirathne
At Kandyan art (Subsidiary Company Of Supuni Brassware), we are deeply proud to be led by one of Sri Lanka’s most esteemed and uniquely talented artisans Mr. K.M Senevirathne. Born on July 21st 1952 in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Mr. Senevirathne has dedicated his life to preserving and passing on the ancient traditions of Ceylonese brass craftsmanship. As the owner he plays a central role in both the production and the cultural direction of our business.
A Journey Rooted in Tradition
Mr. Senevirathne hails from a family with a rich cultural background. His father, Mr.Kottalbadde Muhandiram, and his mother Miss Ukkuethana, raised him with a strong sense of pride in Sri Lanka’s artistic heritage. Growing up in Kandy, a city renowned for its rich cultural history, he was naturally surrounded by a legacy of traditional craftsmanship. He has two sisters and two brothers and the values of family and community have always been central to his upbringing.
From a young age, Mr. Senevirathne showed an exceptional talent for working with brass. His unique ability to recreate intricate brass designs with unparalleled precision quickly became apparent. Over time, he developed a reputation for being able to craft exact replicas of any brass item, no matter how complex. If you show an image of a lamp or any other brass artifact, Mr. Senevirathne could craft an identical copy, preserving both the form and soul of the original piece.
Mastering the Dambadeni Pahan and Atta Pahan
Mr. Senevirathne is considered one of the last living artisans in Sri Lanka who possesses the rare and invaluable skill of creating Dambadeni Pahan (oil lamps) and Dedigama Kotawehera Atta Pahan with their intricate oil technology. These lamps, deeply rooted in Sri Lankan culture, are used in sacred rituals and temples, where their oil burning mechanisms play a crucial role in the ceremonies. The art of crafting these oil lamps has been passed down through generations, and Mr. Senevirathne is one of the few who fully understands and is capable of producing them in their authentic form.
As the only artisan in Sri Lanka with this specific expertise, Mr. Senevirathne is dedicated to preserving this ancient art and ensuring it is not lost to time. His knowledge and craftsmanship are vital in keeping Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage alive, one masterpiece at a time.
Awards and Recognition
Mr. K.M. Senevirathne’s extraordinary talent and unwavering commitment to preserving Sri Lankan craftsmanship have garnered him widespread recognition over the years. In 1990, he was honored with the Royal Awards, a testament to his exceptional contributions to the art of brassworking and his significant role in preserving the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. His remarkable skills and dedication were further recognized in 1996 when he received the prestigious Presidential Handicraft Award, solidifying his status as a master artisan. Throughout his career, Mr. Senevirathne has also earned hundreds of certificates in recognition of his excellence and his lifelong dedication to advancing the craft. These accolades highlight his invaluable contributions to the preservation and promotion of Sri Lankan cultural traditions, ensuring they are passed down to future generations.
Member of the Kandyan Art Association
As a member of the Kandyan Art Association, Mr. Senevirathne continues to be an active participant in the preservation and promotion of Sri Lankan traditional arts. His involvement in this esteemed institution allows him to collaborate with fellow artisans, ensuring that the techniques and knowledge of Sri Lanka’s artistic heritage are passed down and maintained.
A Family Business with Heart
Kandyan art (Subsidiary Company Of Supuni Brassware) is a family business, and Mr. Senevirathne is at the heart of everything we do. His wife, Mrs. Rupika Nishanthi, and their children, Miss Supuni Indeevari and Mr. Rivindu Eeshan play an active role in supporting and running the business. This close-knit family has built the foundation of the business together, driven by a shared passion for preserving Sri Lankan cultural traditions.
Mr. Senevirathne’s family, along with his skilled artisans, work together to create the stunning brass products that are the hallmark of our business. Each piece is crafted with love, care and a deep respect for the techniques passed down through generations.
Preserving Sri Lankan Culture for Future Generations
As the owner of Kandyan art (Subsidiary Company Of Supuni Brassware), Mr. Senevirathne is not only a master craftsman but a vital figure in preserving Sri Lankan culture. Through his work, he ensures that the traditions of brassworking are passed on to future generations, both in Sri Lanka and abroad. His dedication to preserving these sacred skills makes him a key figure in the protection and celebration of Sri Lanka’s heritage.
We are incredibly proud to have Mr. Senevirathne leading our family business, and we are committed to carrying on his legacy of exceptional craftsmanship and cultural preservation. When you choose Kandyan art (Subsidiary Company Of Supuni Brassware), you are not just purchasing a beautifully crafted brass item. You are investing in a piece of Sri Lanka’s history.
A few samples from hundreds
Our story starts here
Mr. K.M. Senevirathne began his career over 45 years ago as a brass craftsman, specializing in traditional Sri Lankan brassware. In 2002, he officially registered his business as Supuni Brassware, cementing his commitment to keeping Sri Lanka’s brass-making traditions alive.
For decades, he meticulously handcrafted oil lamps, door locks and other intricate brass pieces, supplying them to dealers who distributed them across the country. However, as time passed. This ancient craft faced a severe decline. Wrong decisions of authorities and a profit driven mindset in the industry pushed traditional brass craftsmanship to the brink of extinction. The 2018 Easter bombings and the economic crisis further devastated the trade, forcing many workshops to shut down and leaving skilled artisans with no choice but to abandon their craft.
We couldn’t let that happen. Our workshop holds rare and invaluable brass making knowledge with techniques and designs that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Without action, historically significant creations like the Dambadeniya Lamp and the Elephant Lamp would be lost forever.
Determined to protect this fading art, we made a bold decision to stop relying on middlemen and instead connect directly with customers. This led to the creation of the Kandyan Art Facebook page, where we began showcasing our craftsmanship and educating people on the history, function and significance of traditional Sri Lankan brassware.
Through this journey,We found an upsetting truth, that many Sri Lankans had lost contact with their own roots. Few knew how to properly use and maintain these sacred lamps. And even worse, counterfeit replicas were flooding the market, deceiving customers with low quality imitations.
That’s why we took on a greater mission to revive, protect and pass down Sri Lanka’s brass craftsmanship. By sharing our expertise and making these rare, handcrafted creations accessible to the world, we are ensuring that this beautiful tradition lives on.
Today, Kandyan Art is more than just a business.It is a commitment to safeguarding our cultural legacy, honoring our ancestors and keeping the brilliance of Sri Lankan brass craftsmanship alive for generations to come.
Our Vision
To safeguard and revive Sri Lanka’s ancient brass craftsmanship, ensuring that its beauty, history and unique techniques are never lost. We aim to bring this timeless art to the world, inspiring appreciation for our heritage while keeping the tradition alive for future generations.