The Isle, her people & their untold stories.
Ceylon Soul is an social-enterprise that offers a unique perspective on the vibrant culture and heritage of Sri Lanka. The social-enterprise offers a range of local experiences that are carefully curated and designed to provide an alternative to traditional tourist activities. Visitors to Sri Lanka can engage in activities such as cooking with locals, learning to paint traditional Sri Lankan masks, and taking walking tours of the beautiful city of Galle. Ceylon Soul's offerings are focused on preserving the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka and providing visitors with a glimpse into the daily routines and lives of the locals.
The founder of Ceylon Soul, Atheeq Ifthikar, is the driving force behind the organization's efforts to preserve and share the culture and way of life of Sri Lanka. As the creative and product developer of the business, Atheeq has drawn heavily on his background as a member of the Sri Lankan Moor community, a group that has been instrumental in nurturing the island's gem trade for centuries. Atheeq is an artist who expresses himself through the still camera lens, and he has also taken several decisive steps toward establishing himself as a filmmaker. His work is focused on showcasing the beauty of Sri Lanka's cultural heritage and inspiring people to be better and more aware human beings.
Ceylon Soul's offerings are designed to provide visitors with an authentic and immersive experience of Sri Lanka's vibrant culture. The organization's activities are centered around the people who form the fabric of Sri Lanka's cultural heritage. Ceylon Soul's offerings include experiences such as 'Cook like a local with Ceylon Soul', which provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about traditional Sri Lankan cooking techniques and ingredients. The 'Mask Man' experience is a unique foray into the life of a local artist, who displays and narrates his hometown's ancient tradition of mask carving, mask painting, and visual storytelling.
In addition to preserving the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka, Ceylon Soul is also focused on encouraging sustainable practices. The organization promotes organic produce, chemical-free agriculture, permaculture, natural paints and pigments, no plastics, and a list of other simple yet practical methods aimed at conserving the environment. Ceylon Soul is passionate about offering visitors an alternate perspective on Sri Lanka, and the organization is constantly looking to improve the local experiences that it facilitates and to further broaden their scope.
Galle, the base of Ceylon Soul, is a beautiful city that provides a cross-section of the full Sri Lankan experience with a Southern slant. The city's unique standing in Sri Lanka's native and colonial history adds much spice to its story. Due to its geographic position, Galle has served as a confluence of people and culture for thousands of years. Galle's story is also one of resilience and adaptability, with the city having bounced back from devastating natural disasters and conflict to once again become a vibrant cultural hub.
Visitors to Galle can take walking tours of the city with Ceylon Soul's brand child, who has a deep understanding of the city's history and culture. These walking tours provide visitors with an insight into the daily routines and lives of the locals, and the tours are designed to be immersive and engaging. Visitors can also explore the city's many historic sites, including the Galle Fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort is a fascinating mix of colonial architecture and Sri Lankan heritage, and visitors can spend hours exploring its narrow streets and discovering its hidden gems.
Ceylon Soul is an social-enterprise that is focused on preserving the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka and providing visitors with a unique perspective on the country. The social-enterprise offerings are centered around the people who form the fabric of Sri Lanka's cultural heritage, and visitors to Sri Lanka can engage in activities.
