Thuparama dagaba 1896

This image of the Thuparama dagaba was captured by Henry William Cave, who lived from 1854 to 1913. Cave was a British author and photographer known for his extensive documentation of Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Cave's work provides insight into the cultural dynamics of colonialism, where the gaze of the colonizer often shaped the narrative and representation of the colonized. While his photographs aimed to capture the essence and beauty of Ceylon, they also reflect the power dynamics inherent in the colonial context. Cave's photographs were primarily made for a Western audience, seeking to exoticize and romanticize the East. Consider how this image might construct or reinforce Western perceptions of Ceylon. What stories might be missed or marginalized in this representation? It’s important to reflect on whose perspective is privileged and whose is obscured.