The walls of Sigiriya are believed to have originally been plastered and painted white to convey the idea of purity, similar to the manner in which the city of gods was depicted in the ancient world. But Kashyapa was more intent on creating a magnificent spectacle that would stand out and capture the attention of anyone who visited the citadel.
The king possessed a harem of more than 500 concubines, who were admired for their sensuous and exotic beauty. Therefore, it is widely believed that they were the inspiration for the golden skinned, bare breasted women that make up the ‘Sigiri Frescoes’. The intricate and lavish gem studded jewellery that adorns the women in these paintings also suggest that they may have been members of the royal family, namely Kashyapa’s daughters. There is also a belief that the paintings depict apsaras, or goddesses, that are emerging from the heavens to bless the citadel. This is corroborated by similar depictions in the Ajanta Caves of the Gupta period in Maharashtra, India. Some historians even believe that the drawings are really depictions of celestial nymphs who are believed to have been protectors of the Rock Fortress. What we see now is just part of what was supposed to be one of the oldest and most intricate picture galleries in the ancient world.
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The Mirror Wall
The ‘Mirror Wall’, was once so highly polished, that when the king walked along the drip ledge, he could see his own reflection in it. Subsequently, the wall functioned as a stone tablet, recording the thoughts and experiences of those who came to visit the fabled rock. Prof. Senarat Paranavitana’s work in deciphering these inscriptions is foremost. The poetry and prose carved into the ‘Mirror Wall’ describe the culture, lifestyle and environs of Sigiriya. Referred to as ‘Kurutu Gee’, these words have fascinated both history and literature enthusiasts throughout the generations.
Over 1000 unique words stemming from the main languages of the country – Sinhala and Tamil, have been identified from these writings. However, there are also prose written in the ancient language of Sanskrit, showing that visitors from the main continent ventured to see this sentinel. More than 850 individuals’ names have been inscribed on the wall, of which 12 of them were women.
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