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
Kandyan Art was built on more than four decades of dedication to traditional Sri Lankan brass craftsmanship.
Our journey began over 45 years ago with Mr. KM Senevirathne, a master brass craftsman who devoted his life to creating authentic Sri Lankan brassware using heritage techniques passed down through generations. In 2002, he officially established Supuni Brassware. Laying the foundation for what would later become Kandyan Art, a brand committed to protecting Sri Lanka’s cultural artistry.
For many years, our workshop handcrafted traditional oil lamps, heritage door locks and rare brass creations, supplying dealers across Sri Lanka. Each piece was made using ancient methods that prioritize durability, authenticity and cultural accuracy.
However, over time, traditional brass craftsmanship faced a serious decline. Poor industry decisions, mass-produced imitations and profit-driven shortcuts pushed this sacred craft toward extinction. The 2018 Easter attacks and Sri Lanka’s economic crisis further damaged the industry, forcing many skilled artisans to abandon their lifelong profession.
We refused to let centuries of knowledge disappear.
Our workshop preserves rare brass-making techniques and historic designs that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, including iconic heritage creations such as the Dambadeniya Lamp and Elephant Lamp. Without active preservation, these culturally significant masterpieces would be lost forever.
To protect this legacy, we made a bold shift. We stopped relying on middlemen and began connecting directly with customers, launching the Kandyan Art Facebook page to showcase authentic Sri Lankan brassware and educate people about its history, proper usage and cultural importance.
Through this journey. We discovered a painful truth, that many Sri Lankans had lost touch with their own heritage. Counterfeit low-quality replicas were spreading rapidly, misleading customers and damaging the value of genuine craftsmanship.
That’s when Kandyan Art became more than a business.
A Registered & Trusted Private Limited Company
Today, Kandyan Art is proudly registered as a Private Limited Company in Sri Lanka, offering our customers legal credibility, transparency and trust. This step strengthened our commitment to delivering authentic, handcrafted brass products with professional standards for both local and international buyers.
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.