A Living Batik Heritage Experience
Enter one of Sri Lanka’s last surviving home-based batik ateliers and experience the art of traditional batik inside a 100-year-old ancestral home in Galle, guided by master artisan Gnana Prabha Ranasinghe, whose family has preserved this craft across generations through wax, dye, patience, and storytelling.
More about
In a quiet corner of Galle, a century-old family home continues one of Sri Lanka’s most treasured artistic traditions. Here, master batik artisan Gnana Prabha Ranasinghe welcomes you into a living workshop where wax, dye, and craftsmanship have been passed down through generations. Guided by the legacy of his father, Kala Bhushana A.J. Ranasinghe, you’ll discover the art of traditional batik through hands-on techniques and stories woven into every piece. More than a workshop, this is a rare opportunity to experience an authentic Sri Lankan craft in the very place where it has flourished for decades.
What You Will Experience
Enter a 100-year-old Ancestral Workshop
Your journey begins inside the Ranasinghe family home in Galle, a quiet creative sanctuary where traditional batik has been practiced for generations.
Surrounded by old wooden frames, wax tools, hand-mixed dyes, and fabrics hanging to dry, you step into a space where time moves differently.
This is a place shaped by devotion, artistry, and memory.
Learn Traditional Batik Techniques
Under the guidance of master artisan Gnana Prabha Ranasinghe, you will learn the foundations of traditional Sri Lankan batik-making using methods passed down through his family.
You will experience:
Wax preparation and heating
Traditional canting techniques
Freehand pattern drawing
Dye application and layering
Understanding colour separation and wax resistance
The rhythm and patience behind handmade batik
The process is slow, meditative, and deeply immersive.
Experience Options
One-Colour Classic Batik
Duration: 5 Hours
Optional Home Lunch
A gentle introduction to traditional wax-flow batik techniques and pattern-making.
Ideal for beginners and travellers looking for a meaningful artistic experience.
Two-Colour Deep Batik (Most Immersive)
Duration: 2 Days — 5 Hours Per Day
Optional Home Lunch
A deeper exploration into advanced batik layering techniques, multiple dye applications, and intricate pattern blocking.
This immersive experience reveals the true craftsmanship behind traditional Sri Lankan batik.
The Bespoke Heritage Commission
For guests seeking a one-of-a-kind artistic collaboration with the master himself.
How It Works
Share your artwork, concept, or inspiration
Consultation with the artist
Custom pricing based on complexity, colours, size, and time required
Participate in the first wax application alongside the master
Final artwork completed over 1–2 weeks (or longer depending on process)
Professionally packaged and shipped worldwide
This experience is ideal for collectors, designers, art lovers, and travellers wanting a deeply personal connection to Sri Lankan craftsmanship.
Optional Southern Home Lunch
Enjoy a traditional Southern Sri Lankan home-cooked meal prepared by the Ranasinghe family.
Simple, warm, and deeply local completing the experience through food and hospitality.
Important Information
Minimum booking: 2 guests
Recommended age: 12+
Advance booking required
Comfortable clothing recommended due to dyes and wax work
Suitable for beginners and experienced creatives alike
Why This Experience Is Rare
Because very few traditional home-based batik ateliers remain in Sri Lanka.
Because this is not a performance created for tourism, it is a living artistic lineage still practiced inside the family’s ancestral home.
And because experiences like this are slowly disappearing.
This is The Last of the Line, a rare chance to learn directly from one of Sri Lanka’s remaining true batik masters.
Duration
Varies by format
Group size
Minimum 2 & small groups
Starting point
Inside a 100-Year-Old Ranasinghe Ancestral Home - Galle
What to wear / bring:
Comfortable Clothing
Gallary
At a Glance
A curated set of moments that capture the essence of the experience, revealing its pace, details, and character as they naturally come together.
Location
The Setting
The environment in which the experience unfolds, shaped by place, rhythm, and atmosphere, grounding each moment in the spirit and texture of its surroundings.
Guest Perspectives
Voices from the Experience
Reflections shared by those who have taken part, offering personal insights shaped by presence, connection, and moments of discovery.
We had two culinary classes with Ceylon Soul booked through Mai Globe. The first (1) was at the beginning of our trip "Cook like a local" in Galle with Sha, and the second (2) at the end of our trip, "Farm to Table" outside Colombo. 1. Sha welcomed into her beautiful home and even though we were quite late for our cooking class she graciously prepped several items knowing we would be quite hungry. So we started from the beginning - learning the proper way of roasting the spices and herbs and proceeded through each step of the many delicious dishes. Sha even made a last minute update to our menu (we were late requesting) and taught us how to make hoppers! It seems simple but I think it requires a lot of practice. When all was cooked we enjoyed our efforts with Sha and her lovely daughter. 2. We really loved this experience as well. We were taken to a very humble but beautiful family home and farm outside Colombo. We had the honor to meet and spend time with the gorgeous family - husband, wife, daughters, sons and grandchildren. They have an small organic farm behind their house. I was allowed to select the items for our lunch and to harvest them. We then proceeded to cut the vegetables, grind the spices and prepare the dishes. Their kitchen included a wood burning as well as gas stoves. It was truly amazing how many dishes were prepared in such a small place! We enjoyed our meal in their garden and my partner (who has been a bit picky about food) declared the meal the best we had in Sri Lanka. This was a very special experience!
Laura M
Louisville, Kentucky
My tour of Galle with Ceylon Soul was excellent. I already knew quite a lot about Galle but the tour gave me plenty of new information. I was especially pleased that the tour was conducted by a local whose own story was fascinating. It was relaxed, fun, not too long or too short. I also booked it at the last minute. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this company.
Jennifer H
Our family of four toured Galle Fort with Atheeq and then joined his family at their home for a cooking lesson and lunch. The tour was terrific - Atheeq covered history and culture (in multimedia with his iPad in hand!) while mixing in delightful anecdotes from his life growing up in the Fort. He's a thoughtful guide and we all learned a great deal from him, and were inspired by his family's story and commitment to the community. And as great as the tour was, the lunch was even better. Atheeq's mother is a wonderful cook and a warm, engaging teacher. It's not easy to capture and hold the attention of 11- and 13-year-olds after a long morning in the sun, and it's not easy to get them to try a variety of new dishes, but that's what exactly she did. And the conversation over lunch was really enjoyable. We felt like we were having a meal with old family friends. This was one of the real standouts of a great week in Sri Lanka, and I can't recommend it highly enough - when we return to Sri Lanka we will seek out Ceylon Soul again. Outstanding! And ask Atheeq to tell you about the cat and the monitor lizard...
Richard R
Alexandria, Virginia
Inquiries
More Experiences
1.5 Hours
Walking
The Galle Fort Soul Walk
A slow, hosted walk through Galle Fort, shaped by lived memory and everyday life.
2.5–3 hours
Culinary
Cook Like a Local with Shahira
A home-cooked experience rooted in care, generosity, and lived tradition.
1.5 Hours
Art & Design
Traditional Mask Painting Workshop
Paint your own traditional Sri Lankan ceremonial mask under the guidance of a master artisan in Galle.
A Living Batik Heritage Experience
Enter one of Sri Lanka’s last surviving home-based batik ateliers and experience the art of traditional batik inside a 100-year-old ancestral home in Galle, guided by master artisan Gnana Prabha Ranasinghe, whose family has preserved this craft across generations through wax, dye, patience, and storytelling.
More about
In a quiet corner of Galle, a century-old family home continues one of Sri Lanka’s most treasured artistic traditions. Here, master batik artisan Gnana Prabha Ranasinghe welcomes you into a living workshop where wax, dye, and craftsmanship have been passed down through generations. Guided by the legacy of his father, Kala Bhushana A.J. Ranasinghe, you’ll discover the art of traditional batik through hands-on techniques and stories woven into every piece. More than a workshop, this is a rare opportunity to experience an authentic Sri Lankan craft in the very place where it has flourished for decades.
What You Will Experience
Enter a 100-year-old Ancestral Workshop
Your journey begins inside the Ranasinghe family home in Galle, a quiet creative sanctuary where traditional batik has been practiced for generations.
Surrounded by old wooden frames, wax tools, hand-mixed dyes, and fabrics hanging to dry, you step into a space where time moves differently.
This is a place shaped by devotion, artistry, and memory.
Learn Traditional Batik Techniques
Under the guidance of master artisan Gnana Prabha Ranasinghe, you will learn the foundations of traditional Sri Lankan batik-making using methods passed down through his family.
You will experience:
Wax preparation and heating
Traditional canting techniques
Freehand pattern drawing
Dye application and layering
Understanding colour separation and wax resistance
The rhythm and patience behind handmade batik
The process is slow, meditative, and deeply immersive.
Experience Options
One-Colour Classic Batik
Duration: 5 Hours
Optional Home Lunch
A gentle introduction to traditional wax-flow batik techniques and pattern-making.
Ideal for beginners and travellers looking for a meaningful artistic experience.
Two-Colour Deep Batik (Most Immersive)
Duration: 2 Days — 5 Hours Per Day
Optional Home Lunch
A deeper exploration into advanced batik layering techniques, multiple dye applications, and intricate pattern blocking.
This immersive experience reveals the true craftsmanship behind traditional Sri Lankan batik.
The Bespoke Heritage Commission
For guests seeking a one-of-a-kind artistic collaboration with the master himself.
How It Works
Share your artwork, concept, or inspiration
Consultation with the artist
Custom pricing based on complexity, colours, size, and time required
Participate in the first wax application alongside the master
Final artwork completed over 1–2 weeks (or longer depending on process)
Professionally packaged and shipped worldwide
This experience is ideal for collectors, designers, art lovers, and travellers wanting a deeply personal connection to Sri Lankan craftsmanship.
Optional Southern Home Lunch
Enjoy a traditional Southern Sri Lankan home-cooked meal prepared by the Ranasinghe family.
Simple, warm, and deeply local completing the experience through food and hospitality.
Important Information
Minimum booking: 2 guests
Recommended age: 12+
Advance booking required
Comfortable clothing recommended due to dyes and wax work
Suitable for beginners and experienced creatives alike
Why This Experience Is Rare
Because very few traditional home-based batik ateliers remain in Sri Lanka.
Because this is not a performance created for tourism, it is a living artistic lineage still practiced inside the family’s ancestral home.
And because experiences like this are slowly disappearing.
This is The Last of the Line, a rare chance to learn directly from one of Sri Lanka’s remaining true batik masters.
Duration
Varies by format
Group size
Minimum 2 & small groups
Starting point
Inside a 100-Year-Old Ranasinghe Ancestral Home - Galle
What to wear / bring:
Comfortable Clothing
Gallary
At a Glance
A curated set of moments that capture the essence of the experience, revealing its pace, details, and character as they naturally come together.
Location
The Setting
The environment in which the experience unfolds, shaped by place, rhythm, and atmosphere, grounding each moment in the spirit and texture of its surroundings.
Guest Perspectives
Voices from the Experience
Reflections shared by those who have taken part, offering personal insights shaped by presence, connection, and moments of discovery.
We had two culinary classes with Ceylon Soul booked through Mai Globe. The first (1) was at the beginning of our trip "Cook like a local" in Galle with Sha, and the second (2) at the end of our trip, "Farm to Table" outside Colombo. 1. Sha welcomed into her beautiful home and even though we were quite late for our cooking class she graciously prepped several items knowing we would be quite hungry. So we started from the beginning - learning the proper way of roasting the spices and herbs and proceeded through each step of the many delicious dishes. Sha even made a last minute update to our menu (we were late requesting) and taught us how to make hoppers! It seems simple but I think it requires a lot of practice. When all was cooked we enjoyed our efforts with Sha and her lovely daughter. 2. We really loved this experience as well. We were taken to a very humble but beautiful family home and farm outside Colombo. We had the honor to meet and spend time with the gorgeous family - husband, wife, daughters, sons and grandchildren. They have an small organic farm behind their house. I was allowed to select the items for our lunch and to harvest them. We then proceeded to cut the vegetables, grind the spices and prepare the dishes. Their kitchen included a wood burning as well as gas stoves. It was truly amazing how many dishes were prepared in such a small place! We enjoyed our meal in their garden and my partner (who has been a bit picky about food) declared the meal the best we had in Sri Lanka. This was a very special experience!
Laura M
Louisville, Kentucky
My tour of Galle with Ceylon Soul was excellent. I already knew quite a lot about Galle but the tour gave me plenty of new information. I was especially pleased that the tour was conducted by a local whose own story was fascinating. It was relaxed, fun, not too long or too short. I also booked it at the last minute. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this company.
Jennifer H
Our family of four toured Galle Fort with Atheeq and then joined his family at their home for a cooking lesson and lunch. The tour was terrific - Atheeq covered history and culture (in multimedia with his iPad in hand!) while mixing in delightful anecdotes from his life growing up in the Fort. He's a thoughtful guide and we all learned a great deal from him, and were inspired by his family's story and commitment to the community. And as great as the tour was, the lunch was even better. Atheeq's mother is a wonderful cook and a warm, engaging teacher. It's not easy to capture and hold the attention of 11- and 13-year-olds after a long morning in the sun, and it's not easy to get them to try a variety of new dishes, but that's what exactly she did. And the conversation over lunch was really enjoyable. We felt like we were having a meal with old family friends. This was one of the real standouts of a great week in Sri Lanka, and I can't recommend it highly enough - when we return to Sri Lanka we will seek out Ceylon Soul again. Outstanding! And ask Atheeq to tell you about the cat and the monitor lizard...
Richard R
Alexandria, Virginia
Inquiries
More Experiences
1.5 Hours
Walking
The Galle Fort Soul Walk
A slow, hosted walk through Galle Fort, shaped by lived memory and everyday life.
2.5–3 hours
Culinary
Cook Like a Local with Shahira
A home-cooked experience rooted in care, generosity, and lived tradition.
1.5 Hours
Art & Design
Traditional Mask Painting Workshop
Paint your own traditional Sri Lankan ceremonial mask under the guidance of a master artisan in Galle.
A Living Batik Heritage Experience
Enter one of Sri Lanka’s last surviving home-based batik ateliers and experience the art of traditional batik inside a 100-year-old ancestral home in Galle, guided by master artisan Gnana Prabha Ranasinghe, whose family has preserved this craft across generations through wax, dye, patience, and storytelling.
More about
In a quiet corner of Galle, a century-old family home continues one of Sri Lanka’s most treasured artistic traditions. Here, master batik artisan Gnana Prabha Ranasinghe welcomes you into a living workshop where wax, dye, and craftsmanship have been passed down through generations. Guided by the legacy of his father, Kala Bhushana A.J. Ranasinghe, you’ll discover the art of traditional batik through hands-on techniques and stories woven into every piece. More than a workshop, this is a rare opportunity to experience an authentic Sri Lankan craft in the very place where it has flourished for decades.
What You Will Experience
Enter a 100-year-old Ancestral Workshop
Your journey begins inside the Ranasinghe family home in Galle, a quiet creative sanctuary where traditional batik has been practiced for generations.
Surrounded by old wooden frames, wax tools, hand-mixed dyes, and fabrics hanging to dry, you step into a space where time moves differently.
This is a place shaped by devotion, artistry, and memory.
Learn Traditional Batik Techniques
Under the guidance of master artisan Gnana Prabha Ranasinghe, you will learn the foundations of traditional Sri Lankan batik-making using methods passed down through his family.
You will experience:
Wax preparation and heating
Traditional canting techniques
Freehand pattern drawing
Dye application and layering
Understanding colour separation and wax resistance
The rhythm and patience behind handmade batik
The process is slow, meditative, and deeply immersive.
Experience Options
One-Colour Classic Batik
Duration: 5 Hours
Optional Home Lunch
A gentle introduction to traditional wax-flow batik techniques and pattern-making.
Ideal for beginners and travellers looking for a meaningful artistic experience.
Two-Colour Deep Batik (Most Immersive)
Duration: 2 Days — 5 Hours Per Day
Optional Home Lunch
A deeper exploration into advanced batik layering techniques, multiple dye applications, and intricate pattern blocking.
This immersive experience reveals the true craftsmanship behind traditional Sri Lankan batik.
The Bespoke Heritage Commission
For guests seeking a one-of-a-kind artistic collaboration with the master himself.
How It Works
Share your artwork, concept, or inspiration
Consultation with the artist
Custom pricing based on complexity, colours, size, and time required
Participate in the first wax application alongside the master
Final artwork completed over 1–2 weeks (or longer depending on process)
Professionally packaged and shipped worldwide
This experience is ideal for collectors, designers, art lovers, and travellers wanting a deeply personal connection to Sri Lankan craftsmanship.
Optional Southern Home Lunch
Enjoy a traditional Southern Sri Lankan home-cooked meal prepared by the Ranasinghe family.
Simple, warm, and deeply local completing the experience through food and hospitality.
Important Information
Minimum booking: 2 guests
Recommended age: 12+
Advance booking required
Comfortable clothing recommended due to dyes and wax work
Suitable for beginners and experienced creatives alike
Why This Experience Is Rare
Because very few traditional home-based batik ateliers remain in Sri Lanka.
Because this is not a performance created for tourism, it is a living artistic lineage still practiced inside the family’s ancestral home.
And because experiences like this are slowly disappearing.
This is The Last of the Line, a rare chance to learn directly from one of Sri Lanka’s remaining true batik masters.
Duration
Varies by format
Group size
Minimum 2 & small groups
Starting point
Inside a 100-Year-Old Ranasinghe Ancestral Home - Galle
What to wear / bring:
Comfortable Clothing
Gallary
At a Glance
A curated set of moments that capture the essence of the experience, revealing its pace, details, and character as they naturally come together.
Location
The Setting
The environment in which the experience unfolds, shaped by place, rhythm, and atmosphere, grounding each moment in the spirit and texture of its surroundings.
Guest Perspectives
Voices from the Experience
Reflections shared by those who have taken part, offering personal insights shaped by presence, connection, and moments of discovery.
We had two culinary classes with Ceylon Soul booked through Mai Globe. The first (1) was at the beginning of our trip "Cook like a local" in Galle with Sha, and the second (2) at the end of our trip, "Farm to Table" outside Colombo. 1. Sha welcomed into her beautiful home and even though we were quite late for our cooking class she graciously prepped several items knowing we would be quite hungry. So we started from the beginning - learning the proper way of roasting the spices and herbs and proceeded through each step of the many delicious dishes. Sha even made a last minute update to our menu (we were late requesting) and taught us how to make hoppers! It seems simple but I think it requires a lot of practice. When all was cooked we enjoyed our efforts with Sha and her lovely daughter. 2. We really loved this experience as well. We were taken to a very humble but beautiful family home and farm outside Colombo. We had the honor to meet and spend time with the gorgeous family - husband, wife, daughters, sons and grandchildren. They have an small organic farm behind their house. I was allowed to select the items for our lunch and to harvest them. We then proceeded to cut the vegetables, grind the spices and prepare the dishes. Their kitchen included a wood burning as well as gas stoves. It was truly amazing how many dishes were prepared in such a small place! We enjoyed our meal in their garden and my partner (who has been a bit picky about food) declared the meal the best we had in Sri Lanka. This was a very special experience!
Laura M
Louisville, Kentucky
My tour of Galle with Ceylon Soul was excellent. I already knew quite a lot about Galle but the tour gave me plenty of new information. I was especially pleased that the tour was conducted by a local whose own story was fascinating. It was relaxed, fun, not too long or too short. I also booked it at the last minute. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this company.
Jennifer H
Our family of four toured Galle Fort with Atheeq and then joined his family at their home for a cooking lesson and lunch. The tour was terrific - Atheeq covered history and culture (in multimedia with his iPad in hand!) while mixing in delightful anecdotes from his life growing up in the Fort. He's a thoughtful guide and we all learned a great deal from him, and were inspired by his family's story and commitment to the community. And as great as the tour was, the lunch was even better. Atheeq's mother is a wonderful cook and a warm, engaging teacher. It's not easy to capture and hold the attention of 11- and 13-year-olds after a long morning in the sun, and it's not easy to get them to try a variety of new dishes, but that's what exactly she did. And the conversation over lunch was really enjoyable. We felt like we were having a meal with old family friends. This was one of the real standouts of a great week in Sri Lanka, and I can't recommend it highly enough - when we return to Sri Lanka we will seek out Ceylon Soul again. Outstanding! And ask Atheeq to tell you about the cat and the monitor lizard...
Richard R
Alexandria, Virginia
Inquiries
More Experiences
1.5 Hours
Walking
The Galle Fort Soul Walk
A slow, hosted walk through Galle Fort, shaped by lived memory and everyday life.
2.5–3 hours
Culinary
Cook Like a Local with Shahira
A home-cooked experience rooted in care, generosity, and lived tradition.
1.5 Hours
Art & Design
Traditional Mask Painting Workshop
Paint your own traditional Sri Lankan ceremonial mask under the guidance of a master artisan in Galle.