{"id":128124,"date":"2024-01-06T17:51:32","date_gmt":"2024-01-06T17:51:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=128124"},"modified":"2024-01-06T17:52:05","modified_gmt":"2024-01-06T17:52:05","slug":"ringing-in-the-new-year-with-precious-gifts-from-the-bell-family-by-kumudini-hettiarachchi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/ringing-in-the-new-year-with-precious-gifts-from-the-bell-family-by-kumudini-hettiarachchi\/","title":{"rendered":"Ringing in the New Year with precious gifts from the Bell family-By Kumudini Hettiarachchi"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"entry_title\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 20px; color: #000000;\">Ringing in the New Year with precious gifts from the Bell family-<span style=\"color: #333399;\">By Kumudini Hettiarachchi<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">Source:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 16px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/plus\/ringing-in-the-new-year-with-precious-gifts-from-the-bell-family-543684.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sundaytimes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><strong><em>H.C.P. Bell\u2019s great-grandson Andrew was here from England to hand over valuable volumes<br \/>\nauthored by Sri Lanka\u2019s \u2018Father of Archaeology\u2019 to the Royal Asiatic Society<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">They came bearing gifts of immense value to Sri Lanka. The great-grandson of the iconic first-ever Commissioner of Archaeology of colonial Ceylon attempted to bring these gifts in mid-December by checking in one suitcase as hold luggage.<\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">The airline requirement was that one bag could hold only 32kg, but his suitcase weighed 39kg\u2026\u2026.and so Andrew \u201ctook out a whole pile\u201d and carried them in his backpack all the way from England to Sri Lanka!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">\u201cThey were very heavy,\u201d he laughs, the task accomplished and the precious gifts handed over to the Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) at the Mahaweli Centre on December 15.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Andrew, the great-grandson of Sri Lanka\u2019s \u2018Father of Archaeology\u2019 H.C.P. Bell (Harry Charles Purvis), was in Sri Lanka for this momentous handover, with wife Diana and daughters Iona (18) and Lily (16). Bell was the first Archaeological Commissioner of Ceylon from 1890 to 1912.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Andrew had brought with him Bell\u2019s \u2018Archaeological Survey of Ceylon\u2019 from Volume 1 dated 1893 (Report on the Kegalla District \u2013 1892; Research on the Kegalla District \u2013 1893) through to Volume 16 (Supplementary Plates for Annual Reports 1903, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910-11, 1911-12). While a majority are originals, a few are photocopies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/plus\/ringing-in-the-new-year-with-precious-gifts-from-the-bell-family-543684.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-49618 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/uploads\/9Y1A0669-Annual-Report-1894-Anuradhapura-Mayura-Pirivena-Pillars-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"elanka\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><strong>Image Source:<\/strong><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/plus\/ringing-in-the-new-year-with-precious-gifts-from-the-bell-family-543684.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sundaytimes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Annual report 1894 \u2013 Anuradhapura \u2013 Mayura Pirivena pillars<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/plus\/ringing-in-the-new-year-with-precious-gifts-from-the-bell-family-543684.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-49618 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/uploads\/9Y1A0669-Annual-Report-1894-Anuradhapura-Mayura-Pirivena-Pillars-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"elanka\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><strong>Image Source:<\/strong><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/uploads\/9Y1A0630-Annual-Report-1906-Polonnaruwa-Wata-Da-ge-150x150.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sundaytimes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Annual Report 1906 \u2013 Polonnaruwa \u2013 Wata Da Ge<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/plus\/ringing-in-the-new-year-with-precious-gifts-from-the-bell-family-543684.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-49618 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/uploads\/9Y1A0630-Annual-Report-1906-Polonnaruwa-Wata-Da-ge-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"elanka\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><strong>Image Source:<\/strong><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/uploads\/9Y1A0606-150x150.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sundaytimes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Annual Report 1906 \u2013 Polonnaruwa \u2013 Wata Da Ge<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/plus\/ringing-in-the-new-year-with-precious-gifts-from-the-bell-family-543684.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-49618 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/uploads\/9Y1A0606-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"elanka\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><strong>Image Source:<\/strong><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/uploads\/9Y1A0606-150x150.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sundaytimes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">collection handed over to RAS: H.C.P Bell\u2019s \u2018Archaeological Survey of Ceylon\u2019 Volume 1 to Volume 16<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/plus\/ringing-in-the-new-year-with-precious-gifts-from-the-bell-family-543684.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-49618 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/uploads\/9Y1A0579-Annual-Report-1909-Sigiri-Gala-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"elanka\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><strong>Image Source:<\/strong><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/uploads\/9Y1A0606-150x150.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sundaytimes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Annual report 1909 \u2013 Sigiri gala<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/plus\/ringing-in-the-new-year-with-precious-gifts-from-the-bell-family-543684.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-49618 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/uploads\/9Y1A0567-Annual-Report-1910-11-Yapahuwa-Sculpture-of-Thid-Staire-Case-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"elanka\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><strong>Image Source:<\/strong><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/uploads\/9Y1A0606-150x150.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sundaytimes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/uploads\/9Y1A0516-150x150.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-49618 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/uploads\/9Y1A0567-Annual-Report-1910-11-Yapahuwa-Sculpture-of-Thid-Staire-Case-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"elanka\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\"><strong>Image Source:<\/strong><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/231231\/uploads\/9Y1A0606-150x150.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sundaytimes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Andrew in Colombo: Parting with a family treasure. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">As we turn the pages and pore over the contents, Andrew says that the volumes are well-maintained. The writing is \u201cdense\u201d but the maps and drawings are meticulous and the black-and-white photographs which have weathered the lapse of time are still crystal clear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Who would have taken the photographs, we ponder. Was it Bell himself?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">In a book titled \u2018H.C.P. Bell \u2013 Archaeologist of Ceylon and the Maldives\u2019, his granddaughters Bethia and Heather state that he was \u201cself-taught and sublimely self-confident\u201d. He began the official survey, excavation and conservation of the buried cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa and of the extraordinary rock fortress at Sigiriya. His work in the Ceylon jungles was often carried out \u201csingle-handed\u201d, but he once declared, \u2018It is good to be a Head Man even in Hell\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">In old age, he realised his dream of proving that a Buddhist civilisation preceded the Muslim conversion of the Maldives, they add.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">While Andrew is Bell\u2019s third son Malcolm\u2019s grandson, Bethia and Heather are Bell\u2019s second son Cyril\u2019s daughters. Andrew\u2019s father, Kenneth and Bethia and Heather were first cousins.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">It was Rev. Kenneth Bell who not so long ago, with Andrew in tow, returned a revered possession of the Bell family for nearly a century \u2013 a beautiful 14-cm seated Buddha carved in wood, which was taken in procession on December 17, 2019 from the Queen\u2019s Hotel to the Sri Dalada Maligawa (the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) in Kandy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">This time round, the bearer of this many-hued intricately carved statue, now 93, not able to undertake the long air journey had sent Andrew as his emissary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">This \u2018collection\u2019 had been passed down to Heather at the time of Bell\u2019s death and had been preserved by her until her death. Thereafter, it had been passed onto Andrew and the collection was \u201csitting on my shelf\u201d for about two years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">\u201cI wondered what the best thing to do would be and it was to return this \u2018family treasure\u2019 to Sri Lanka,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Andrew who lives in Exeter, southwest England, and is the Press Officer of the Green Party, is no stranger to Sri Lanka. Not only did he accompany his Dad when he brought the Buddha statue in 2019 but he had also visited this country about 27 years ago when his sister, Fiona, was working in Colombo. Now daughter Iona is planning to be part of a conservation group down south during her gap year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">We go down memory lane to what Andrew\u2019s Dad (Kenneth) who had lived in Sri Lanka with Bell had told them about him\u2026\u2026..Bell\u2019s two-storey home in the hills above Kandy Lake had had an aviary as the archaeologist had a deep interest in birds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">\u201cSri Lanka was H.C.P. Bell\u2019s country and home. It was only right for the books to come home as this was the place he loved dearly. We hope these valuable volumes would be preserved and looked after by the RAS and made accessible to researchers,\u201d is Andrew\u2019s simple request.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Why the RAS? The reply comes promptly \u2013 Bell had been a very active member of the RAS, joining it in 1880 and quickly taking on the duties of its Secretary, which post he had held for 34 long years. He had also been the Editor of the RAS Journal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Bell who had arrived in Sri Lanka in 1873, made this country his much-loved second home. On his death in 1937, he had been buried here according to his wishes.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ringing in the New Year with precious gifts from the Bell family-By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Source:Sundaytimes H.C.P. Bell\u2019s great-grandson Andrew was here from England to hand over valuable volumes authored by Sri Lanka\u2019s \u2018Father of Archaeology\u2019 to the Royal Asiatic Society They came bearing gifts of immense value to Sri Lanka. The great-grandson of the iconic [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":128125,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[59470,43239,56708],"class_list":{"0":"post-128124","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-aside","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-articles","8":"tag-archaeological-survey-of-ceylon","9":"tag-h-c-p-bell","10":"tag-m-a-pushpa-kumara","11":"post_format-post-format-aside"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.7.1 (Yoast SEO v25.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Ringing in the New Year with precious gifts from the Bell family-By Kumudini Hettiarachchi<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"They came bearing gifts of immense value to Sri Lanka. 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