Aesthetic Movement in Sri Lanka

The Aesthetic Movement in Sri Lanka, emerging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was a cultural trend emphasizing beauty, art, and sensory experiences over social or political messages. Inspired by Western ideas, it promoted refined aesthetics in literature, visual arts, and design, encouraging appreciation for craftsmanship and beauty for its own sake. This movement influenced Sri Lankan artists and writers to focus on elegance and artistic excellence, fostering a sense of national identity rooted in aesthetics while challenging traditional colonial perspectives. It played a key role in shaping modern Sri Lankan cultural identity through its appreciation of beauty and artistic expression.