The outlines of this project will focus on exploring the cultural origins and significance of funeral rites in Batticaloa, the eastern part of Sri Lanka, with a specific emphasis on the chanting of 'Vaikuntha Ammanai.' By investigating potential links to the Seerpada clan and Indo-Sri Lankan marriages, the research aims to deepen our understanding of these practices. The project will involve data collection, comparative analysis, and the creation of a visual arrangement/installation to showcase the research findings. Ultimately, this study strives to promote cultural exchange and preserve the unique heritage shared.
Parilojithan Ramanathan is a multidisciplinary artist and lens based medium practitioner. Completed BFA specialization (painting) Ramanathan Academy of Fine Arts, University of Jaffna (2018). Also, part of numerous community engagements; co-founder, of we are from here, collective (since 2018); humanity and earth, photo documenting destructions on lagoons of Batticaloa (District in Sri Lanka) (Since 2017). “Capturing the current” as photo journalistic series, at the Chennai Photo Biennale, at the 2022-2023,”People’s Voice is Louder” at the 5th Kochi Muziris Biennale edition; 2023, exhibiting “Ashray”, “Dhaka art summit”. Track record of artistic exhibitions “Colombolage” at Alliance Françoise De, Nallur, Jaffna (2019) and recent series “Nostalgia” 2022 at the Saskia Fernando gallery, awarded and funded under A4A grants.
