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Thursday, July 5, 2012
Oil Painting By Nihal Sangabo Dias- Village Scene 4
Oil Painting By Nihal Sangabo Dias- Fishermen
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| Painting By Nihal Sangabo Dias Oil on canvas Size: 45cm*30cm |
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Oil Painting By Nihal Sangabo Dias- Village Scene
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| Painting By Nihal Sangabo Dias Oil on canvas Size: 70cm*50cm |
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Oil Painting By Nihal Sangabo Dias- Village Scene 2
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Oil Painting By Nihal Sangabo Dias- The Monk in Forest
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Oil Painting By Nihal Sangabo Dias- Village Scene 1
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| Painting By Nihal Sangabo Dias Oil on canvas Size: 80cm*60cm |
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Stamps By Artist Nihal Sangabo Dias 2
Centennial of the Newsmagazine "Sinhala Bauddhaya"
Commemorative issue
Released on
7th May
Denomination Rs. 5.00
Stamp Bulletin No. 610
Stamp is a concept of artist Sangabo Dias
Stamp size 30 mm x 41 mm
Printer Department of Government Printing, Sri Lanka Format Horizontal Colours 4 process colours
Printing process Offset Lithography Paper 102 gsm. Security stamp paper
Sheet Composition 100 stamps per sheet
Gum PVA Perforations 14 x 13½
Quantity Printed 1, 000, 000
65th Upasampada Ceremony of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya
Commemorative issue
Released on
15th July
Denomination Rs. 4.50
Stamp Bulletin No. 613
Stamp is a concept of artist Sangabo Dias
Stamp size 30 mm x 41 mm
Printer Department of Government Printing, Sri Lanka Format Vertical
Colours 4 process colours
Printing process Offset Lithography
Paper 102 gsm Security stamp paper
Sheet Composition 100 stamps per sheet
Gum PVA Perforations 13½ x 14
Quantity Printed 1, 000, 000
D. M. Rajapaksa
Commemorative issue
Released on 14th December
Denomination: Rs. 5.00
Stamp Bulletin No. 626
Artist Nihal Sangabo Dias designed the stamp and printed at the Department of Government Printing, Sri Lanka.
Stamp size 30 mm x 41 mm
Printer Department of Government Printing, Sri Lanka Format Vertical
Colours 4 process colours
Printing process Offset Lithography
Paper 102 gsm. Security stamp paper
Sheet Composition 100 stamps per sheet
Gum PVA
Perforations 13½ x 14
Quantity Printed 500, 000
Commemorative issue
Released on
7th May
Denomination Rs. 5.00
Stamp Bulletin No. 610
Stamp is a concept of artist Sangabo Dias
Stamp size 30 mm x 41 mm
Printer Department of Government Printing, Sri Lanka Format Horizontal Colours 4 process colours
Printing process Offset Lithography Paper 102 gsm. Security stamp paper
Sheet Composition 100 stamps per sheet
Gum PVA Perforations 14 x 13½
Quantity Printed 1, 000, 000
65th Upasampada Ceremony of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya
Commemorative issue
Released on
15th July
Denomination Rs. 4.50
Stamp Bulletin No. 613
Stamp is a concept of artist Sangabo Dias
Stamp size 30 mm x 41 mm
Printer Department of Government Printing, Sri Lanka Format Vertical
Colours 4 process colours
Printing process Offset Lithography
Paper 102 gsm Security stamp paper
Sheet Composition 100 stamps per sheet
Gum PVA Perforations 13½ x 14
Quantity Printed 1, 000, 000
D. M. Rajapaksa
Commemorative issue
Released on 14th December
Denomination: Rs. 5.00
Stamp Bulletin No. 626
Artist Nihal Sangabo Dias designed the stamp and printed at the Department of Government Printing, Sri Lanka.
Stamp size 30 mm x 41 mm
Printer Department of Government Printing, Sri Lanka Format Vertical
Colours 4 process colours
Printing process Offset Lithography
Paper 102 gsm. Security stamp paper
Sheet Composition 100 stamps per sheet
Gum PVA
Perforations 13½ x 14
Quantity Printed 500, 000
Satmps By Artist Nihal Sangabo Dias
The arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and its propagation
Recitation of Chullahastipadopama sutta by Arahat Mahinda - The Stupa at Mihintale
Released on: 5th May
Denominations Rs. 4.50
Stamp Bulletin No. 609
Stamp size 60 mm x 25 mm Printer Department of Government Printing, Sri Lanka Format Horizontal Colours 4 process colours Printing process Offset Lithography Paper 102 gsm. Security stamp paper Sheet Composition 50 stamps per sheet Gum PVA Perforations 14 x 13½ Quantity Printed 1, 000, 000
Establishmnet of Buddhism in Sri Lanka - The Rajagiri lena at Mihintale
Released on: 5th May
Denominations Rs. 4.50
Stamp Bulletin No. 609
Stamp size 60 mm x 25 mm Printer Department of Government Printing, Sri Lanka Format Horizontal Colours 4 process colours Printing process Offset Lithography Paper 102 gsm. Security stamp paper Sheet Composition 50 stamps per sheet Gum PVA Perforations 14 x 13½ Quantity Printed 1, 000, 000
Sri Maha Bodhi, entering to the city – The Sri Maha Bodhi at Anuradhapura
Released on: 5th May
Denominations Rs. 4.50
Stamp Bulletin No. 609
Writing Dhamma on Ola leaves. – The Alu Viharaya, Matale
Released on: 5th May
Denominations Rs. 4.50
Stamp Bulletin No. 609
Recitation of Chullahastipadopama sutta by Arahat Mahinda - The Stupa at Mihintale
Released on: 5th May
Denominations Rs. 4.50
Stamp Bulletin No. 609
Stamp is a concept of artist Nihal Sangabo Dias
Establishmnet of Buddhism in Sri Lanka - The Rajagiri lena at Mihintale
Released on: 5th May
Denominations Rs. 4.50
Stamp Bulletin No. 609
Stamp is a concept of artist Nihal Sangabo Dias
Sri Maha Bodhi, entering to the city – The Sri Maha Bodhi at Anuradhapura
Released on: 5th May
Denominations Rs. 4.50
Stamp Bulletin No. 609
Stamp is a concept of artist Nihal Sangabo Dias
Stamp size 60 mm x 25 mm Printer Department of Government Printing, Sri Lanka Format Horizontal Colours 4 process colours Printing process Offset Lithography Paper 102 gsm. Security stamp paper Sheet Composition 50 stamps per sheet Gum PVA Perforations 14 x 13½ Quantity Printed 1, 000, 000
Writing Dhamma on Ola leaves. – The Alu Viharaya, Matale
Released on: 5th May
Denominations Rs. 4.50
Stamp Bulletin No. 609
Stamp is a concept of artist Nihal Sangabo Dias
Stamp size 60 mm x 25 mm Printer Department of Government Printing, Sri Lanka Format Horizontal Colours 4 process colours Printing process Offset Lithography Paper 102 gsm. Security stamp paper Sheet Composition 50 stamps per sheet Gum PVA Perforations 14 x 13½ Quantity Printed 1, 000, 000
Voice from a silent world
by FARAH MACAN MARKAR
"Bright Environment" was an exhibition of paintings held at
"The Art Gallery, Nugegoda" by Nihal Sangabo Dias, from 25-31
July. Opened by Kalakeerthi Professor Ashley Halpe and Bridget Halpe, the
exhibition displayed 30 oil paintings and six watercolours on, as its
title indicates, nature. Sunsets, misty green hills, forests with lost
roads, lush paddy fields, were a few of the landscapes set in a
kaleidoscope of colours, shades and light. Caught also in the pictures was
time, the freshness of dawn/morn, the heat of the afternoon, and the
coolness of evening/night.
A few portraits too lurked here and there.
In all the paintings however one could sense a stillness, a silence which was beautiful. As it turns out, it was from a silent world, that these scenes, landscapes and moments were caught with the brush, cause it is in a silent world, Nihal Sangabo Dias has been living, and painting. Making up for what he can't hear with what he can see, Nihal has shown that disability is not an inability.
Conversing with him, through the help of his wife Sujani and Nihal's
enthusiastic gestures, he speaks about his hobby and passion, art.
"Art is a visual language" he says "I can't hear, but I can
see, and I draw the beauty of what I see. A beauty which I see a lot in
nature, in the rural country sides. Scenes and moments which you don't see
in the towns, such as a pol athu nivasa, a kumbura and a redda hatta gani.
I bring these captured scenes and moments to town, through my coloured
canvasses".
Travelling on his bike, packaged with roles of paper and a sketch pencil, Nihal has been to Rakwana, Suriyagama, Sinharaja, Sigiriya, Valigama, Negambo and Wellawatha. Not usually colouring his pictures out there cause of the crowd, Nihal brings his sketches home, and paints them, at times even through out the night. Using his hands, fingers, palette knife and pieces of cardboard to paint, he says that although he does use his brush at times, he usually does not stick to it.
"I love using the palette knife to mix colours and paint" he says "when using colours it is essential that I get the right mix, as I paint in a variety of shades and colours". A swift painter, painting professionally for over 20 years, art has become for him today a part of his life.
Drawing on walls and making figures with clay as a kid, Nihal attended a school for the deaf in Matara. Being selected to go into Heywood College of Fine Arts, he not only developed his art, but cultivated a friendship with artist S.H. Sarath, who was in his senior year, at the time, and who today hosted his exhibition. Graduating in 1976, he joined the Rohana School for the Deaf as an art teacher in 1982.
In 1987 he had the privilege of holding an exhibition of his art work
in Sweden while he was representing Sri Lanka as a delegate at the
Educational Workshop for the Deaf. In June 1995 he held his first
individual exhibition at the National Art Gallery Colombo.
While working on his art, Nihal has also throughout the years passionately worked in helping and developing facilities, education and cultural and social treatment of the deaf in Sri Lanka. A researcher of the sign language research project at the national institute of education, Maharagama, he has published English and Sinhala Books on the sign language. "Those days there was no proper sign language and education for the deaf in Sri Lanka" he says "It is important that the deaf have a language they can speak and an education that normal people get".
Today Nihal educates teachers on the sign language so that they may teach and educate deaf children. Being deaf in this country he says one can feel a lot of frustration, hurt and anger, for they undergo a lot of discrimination and shame. "It's even worse when this comes from the parents" he says "there are a recorded number of 1 1/2 lakhs deaf and dumb people in the country. However there are much more, hidden in society.
This country and specially the parents need to accept and treat the deaf properly without discriminating against them".
Of himself Nihal says "I am lucky my parents supported me and gave me an education. I am also lucky 'cause I have a wonderful wife who acts as my voice. My last message to the people is as I have said before, Accept. Accept the deaf, the different. We may not be able to hear. But we are normal human beings, who want to lead normal lives and be treated as normal people".
by FARAH MACAN MARKAR
 Left to right - Reggie Candappa, Professor Ashley Halpe and the artist with his wife and child. |
A few portraits too lurked here and there.
In all the paintings however one could sense a stillness, a silence which was beautiful. As it turns out, it was from a silent world, that these scenes, landscapes and moments were caught with the brush, cause it is in a silent world, Nihal Sangabo Dias has been living, and painting. Making up for what he can't hear with what he can see, Nihal has shown that disability is not an inability.
 |
Travelling on his bike, packaged with roles of paper and a sketch pencil, Nihal has been to Rakwana, Suriyagama, Sinharaja, Sigiriya, Valigama, Negambo and Wellawatha. Not usually colouring his pictures out there cause of the crowd, Nihal brings his sketches home, and paints them, at times even through out the night. Using his hands, fingers, palette knife and pieces of cardboard to paint, he says that although he does use his brush at times, he usually does not stick to it.
"I love using the palette knife to mix colours and paint" he says "when using colours it is essential that I get the right mix, as I paint in a variety of shades and colours". A swift painter, painting professionally for over 20 years, art has become for him today a part of his life.
Drawing on walls and making figures with clay as a kid, Nihal attended a school for the deaf in Matara. Being selected to go into Heywood College of Fine Arts, he not only developed his art, but cultivated a friendship with artist S.H. Sarath, who was in his senior year, at the time, and who today hosted his exhibition. Graduating in 1976, he joined the Rohana School for the Deaf as an art teacher in 1982.
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While working on his art, Nihal has also throughout the years passionately worked in helping and developing facilities, education and cultural and social treatment of the deaf in Sri Lanka. A researcher of the sign language research project at the national institute of education, Maharagama, he has published English and Sinhala Books on the sign language. "Those days there was no proper sign language and education for the deaf in Sri Lanka" he says "It is important that the deaf have a language they can speak and an education that normal people get".
Today Nihal educates teachers on the sign language so that they may teach and educate deaf children. Being deaf in this country he says one can feel a lot of frustration, hurt and anger, for they undergo a lot of discrimination and shame. "It's even worse when this comes from the parents" he says "there are a recorded number of 1 1/2 lakhs deaf and dumb people in the country. However there are much more, hidden in society.
This country and specially the parents need to accept and treat the deaf properly without discriminating against them".
Of himself Nihal says "I am lucky my parents supported me and gave me an education. I am also lucky 'cause I have a wonderful wife who acts as my voice. My last message to the people is as I have said before, Accept. Accept the deaf, the different. We may not be able to hear. But we are normal human beings, who want to lead normal lives and be treated as normal people".
Saying
'hello' in colour
By
Risidra Mendis
Viewing a work of art is essentially a dialogue between the artist
and the viewer. However when the dialogue between the artist and
the viewer becomes more reflective and meditative it has succeeded
in creating a great impact on the viewer.
Nihal Sangabo Dias's paintings of
landscapes and seascapes at first glance seem to be very familiar.
Scenes of stilt fishermen, children fishing by the lake, boats
sailing on the river and the scenic beauty of village life are
overly familiar to most of us. However according to art lovers it
does take courage for a painter to paint the familiar and common
places, because it involves giving the viewer insights which the
latter may not have imagined before.
Dias's painting of two stilt fishermen
at twilight is fascinating. The fishermen are perched precariously
- one hand casting a line and the other clinging to the stilt pole
with the foaming waves alongside and the dark deep pulsating waves
before. "Perhaps Dias is empathising with all those who earn
their daily sustenance in the most trying circumstances. Some of
us have harboured
dreams of being a stilt fisherman for a day. To them this
painting would be an unforgettable experience" say the
critics.
The painting Nikan Innawa is of two
small boys ostensibly fishing with rod and line by the village
lake. The two boys seem to be interested in exchanging
pleasantries and enjoying a lazy lakeside afternoon. In some of
his paintings, Dias underlines the importance of
doing nothing in particular.
Dias's seascapes at dawn, noon and dusk
are soothing and well executed. Through a clever use of colour the
waves are transformed from a pleasant light greenish blue in the
morning to an ominous blackish blue at dusk.
This is Dias's sixth exhibition since
1995. he has held exhibitions in Germany and Sweden and has won
the International Quality Gold Award in Geneva in 2004 and the
Worldwide Quality Award 21st Century in Argentina in 2004.
Dias is deaf by birth. However he has
an able spokesperson, his wife Sujani. Dias's exhibitions are
truly testimony
to the triumph of the human spirit. His art deserves our serious
consideration and his exhibition is well worth visiting.
Nihal Sangabo Dias's painting
exhibition Nihanda Jeewa 2005 will be held at the Felix Gallery,
75, Alexandra
Place Colombo 7 on August 21 and 22.
He translates beauty into hope
Nihal Sangabo Dias:
Good painters are rare beings. The genuine academic painter, the
painter who is able to express himself fully with a great tradition and
with complete understanding of its possibilities and limitations is a
fortunate one. Such a painter is Nihal Sangabo Dias. Nihal hails from Galle, the romantic old-world town with a picturesque seaside resort which lies on the Southern Coast, of Sri Lanka. The splendour of this ancient town and its rich earth, warm sunlight and its Buddhist aura became a powerful and a lasting influence to provide an artistic stimulus to Nihal's life.
Nihal showed his talents with the brush at an early age, and expressed a desire to become an artist. His parents gave him every support to pursue his studies as well as art. His father was a school principal. He was attracted by his son's drawings on the floor done with chalk.
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Viharamaha Devi
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Nihal Sangabo Dias
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Since he had a apptitude for art from his early childhood, he was able to show his talents and impress his teachers as a schoolboy artist. At every examination he scored distinction in art.
He was admitted to the Mahawewa School for the Deaf and the Blind. The lady teacher at the school patiently helped him to improve his artistic talents. He also had his early education at Rohana School for the Deaf and Blind at Matara, where he worked in the same school in later years as an art instructor from 1976-1978.
While there was no formal education institution for deaf children in Matara, he joined a class conducted by a teacher at a village temple. During this time having displayed his work at an exhibition he was awarded a scholarlship by the (then) Minister of Social Services to join the Government School of Fine Arts, known as Lalitha Kalayathanaya to study art and sculpture. It was also known as Heywood School of Art, where he graduated and also obtained a Diploma in Sculpture in 1972.
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Village at dawn
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In 1986 he became an instructor at the Sri Lanka Sign Language Research Committee and the Chief Artist at the National Education Institute. He also represented Sri Lanka at the educational workshop for the handicapped held in Sweden in 1987. He has held several solo exhibitions in Colombo and International exhibitiosn include Asia Pacific exhibition of Buddhist paintings in Germany Hanboldt Libra, Reinickendrof, Berlin and in Delhi.
In recognition of his work he has won two international awards. International Quality ERA Award, Gold Geneva 2004 and Worldwide Quality XXI century.
His work has a wide variety of designs, landscapes, wildlife, and birds. He has designed several postage stamps in Sri Lanka. Nihal has carried out various assignments in producing work for public and private nstitutions including murals in the Dematagoda Anandaramaya and Batapotha 'Sudarma Vihara'.
Nihal translates sorrow into beauty, and transmutes beauty into hope. And to papaphrase an old aphorism, 'While there's hope, there life.'
Book covers
Festival of the Sacred Tooth, The
Author J.B. Dissanayaka,
Illustrated by Nihal Sangabo Dias
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Serenity of village life
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| Serenity of village life-
scenery from a Sri Lankan village where fresh, unpolluted air is
aplenty. The temple, water tank and the bullock drawn cart are all a
part of the surrounding. Medium - Oil on canvas (58 cm x 43 cm), mounted on a temporary wooden frame. |
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| The Village – a typical scenery from the hill country in Sri Lanka, where the village grocery store is the center stage for socializing.Medium - Oil on canvas (92.5 cm x 68.5 cm), mounted on a wooden frame. Artist - Nihal Sangabo Dias |
Contact Us
Nihanda Jeewa Art Gallery,
No: 306/6,
Batapotha,
Baththaramulla,
Sri Lanka.
contact : 0714175167 -Kanishka
0112867341 -Sujani
0723525839-Sujani
Email : sangabodias@yahoo.com
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