Sigiriya: Other Perspectives

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Sigiriya citadel and palace, picture by Gordon 2010

This task involved the further investigating of a WHS assigned to each campus ambassador in task 2. The task entails finding out more about our assigned WHS through interviews with experts on the WHS. The WHS I investigate further is Sigiriya, to learn more about this WHS click on this link http://www.gounesco.com/sigiriya/. I have posed my questions to the staff of Sigiriya museum, and a blogger who provided a comprehensive post. Last of all, I have contacted a band who has named themselves after this WHS, while they are not experts on the WHS; I thought it would be an interesting perspective to include. Below are excerpts from each of the groups/people contacted, followed by the two questions I asked those individuals/groups.

Excerpt taken from Sigiriya Museum website (http://www.ccf.lk/sigiriya-museum.htm):
�The museum in Sigiriya is known to be the most attractive in South Asia. Managed by the Central Cultural Fund the Sigiriya Museum represents its cultural, technological and archaeological value. Three decades of archaeological research on Sigiriya Sri Lanka, a UNESCO world heritage site, can be explored at the Sigiriya Museum�.
Questions posed to museum staff:
1. Why are people attracted to visit Sigiriya?
2. What kind of artefacts from Sigiriya can be viewed at the museum?

Awaiting Response

Excerpt taken from blog page �Sometimes interesting� (http://sometimes-interesting.com/):
�Our goal is to span the globe and share neat places and world history. We feel each abandoned building tells a tale and every town has a story�.
1. What do you feel makes Sigiriya a World Heritage Site (WHS)?

The former palace at Sigiriya really was a fascinating example of early urban planning. The advanced irrigation system, beautiful frescoes, and mirror wall are physically significant cultural pieces of early Sinhalese culture. Beyond the rock’s natural beauty, the tale of Kashyapa and revenge over the crown provide a pedigree and storyline right out of Hollywood.

2. Why did you choose to write about Sigiriya, instead of another WHS?

When I first came across Sigiriya I was speechless. It is beautiful, and yet for some reason is not a well-known place in much of the western part of the world. I wanted to share the great story of Kashyapa and highlight the work of the advanced Sinhalese culture. For example: The irrigation system at Sigiriya is still functioning after 1,500 years; my sink gets clogged twice a year. It’s a culturally significant site and a preserved example of Sri Lanka history.

Excerpt taken from Sigiriya band facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/sigiriyaofficial?fref=ts):
�Beneath the soil of a Welsh valley a heavy metal life-force regained strength: rising from the ashes of psychedelic doom merchants Acrimony, Sigiriya was born. Not wanting the limitations of reforming a project long dead to them, Sigiriya come from the earthy depths, bringing hefty, tremor-inducing sonics that pay homage to the riff�.

1. Why did you name yourself after the World Heritage site Sigiriya?

R: We decided to name the band Sigiriya after our guitarist visited there.

2. Does your music evoke or share any feelings or ideas associated with Sigiriya?

R:Our music is broadly positive and about the concept of self realisation which ties in with the Buddhist interpretation of a mountain path of ascension and the later Buddhist [periods] of the site.

Image reference: Gordon, J. 2010, Sigiriya citadel and palace, online image, viewed 28 June 2014, https://www.flickr.com/photos/james_gordon_losangeles/7350347616/in/photostream

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