A Space for Creative Expression and Meaningful Dialogue

Belonging, a safe space for expression, and the free sharing of ideas are the bedrock of a thriving community or nation. One may bemoan their absence or actively engage in building them, which is what Aadhitya Jayaseelan did.

She created Kayamai Studios as a progressive, inclusive space for young people to engage in art, activism, politics, meaningful dialogue and community building, and to challenge the exclusivity of the high-brow Colombo art circle. 

A core group of individuals have found a home at Studio Kayamai—ranging from small-time designers and beatboxers to tattoo artists and those who create art while holding full-time jobs in other fields. The common thread that binds them is a shared passion for art, politics, and the need for community. Aadhitya envisions Studio Kayamai as a vital “third space” for those who feel disconnected from mainstream society, offering a sanctuary for like-minded individuals who seek both creative expression and meaningful dialogue.

Her journey to create Kayamai Studios began with a profound sense of dispossession. After returning to Sri Lanka in 2019—13 years after she and her parents fled the civil war for India—she struggled to find a place where she truly belonged. As a Malaiyaha Tamil with Sri Lankan roots, neither India nor Sri Lanka offered Aadithya a sense of connection or community, especially as a young person eager to engage in discussions around progressive politics.

Initially, Aadhitya expressed herself through art, setting up pop-up shops in Colombo’s flea markets. These early experiences laid the groundwork for what would soon become Studio Kayamai, a creative space born out of her desire to challenge the exclusivity of Colombo’s high-brow arts scene which she says is largely inaccessible to young people like her, prompting her to envision an alternative—a place where art and activism could thrive together, open to anyone who sought connection and community.