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by Prof. Sunanda Mahendra

The tag before the name Mahagamasekara is not just Mr. for he is a 'Dr.' or a genuine recipient of a doctorate (Ph.D.) from a local university. Perhaps he wouldn't have preferred to use the 'Dr.' tag as he was a well known lyric writer, poet, painter and a broadcaster.

Though the research projects Sekara engaged in, was posthumously awarded a doctorate, he could have obtained a number of honorary degrees from local universities.

There is ample testimony to prove that he could have easily earned a doctorate for his poetical works like 'Mak nisada yath', 'nomiyemi', 'prabuddha' and the novel 'tung mang handiya' and the film based on the same.

During his formative stages, he wrote quite a number of children's books out of which 'Kai katandara' stands as the best creation. He was nurtured as a theatre man through the influence of the traditional forms of theatrical nuances, which culminated in his own writing and production of the play 'Kundalakesi'.

This play carried some of the finest songs and melodies that were undebatedly popular at that time. One such melody is the song titled 'Anna balan sanda'. Though he did not produce many a play, he wrote several and published them as 'Saddanta saha tavat nataka'.

His stock in trade or the source of the inspiration was positively the Jataka collection, which presumably paved the way for his bubbling spark of creative inspiration.

From a teaching profession, Mahagamasekara joined the then Radio Ceylon as a script writer attached to the Music unit. This was one of the most important turning points in his creative career.

Mahagamasekara, with the assistance of Pundit Amaradeva ushered in a new era of music via broadcasting tunnels, especially with the production of the programme titled 'Madhuwanti'.

Mahagamasekara as a multi faceted creator culled from all quarters of traditional social life. He was inspired both from the folk tradition as well as the classical tradition. What he created during his short period as a script writer stands as a pillar of justice to his immense courage and inspiration.

While being a teacher, he was a self made scholar, who with great courage uplifted his knowledge and achieved a bachelor of Arts degree from university of London.

Henceforth he had the inner desire to further study. But with a creative spark within him he had to postpone until he left the broadcasting career to join as a lecturer in a teacher training college.

As I was known to him personally, I can authoritatively say that he was beyond the knowledge barriers of his fellow companions. He traversed a journey that his fellow companions dare not undertake. While experimenting on Sinhala poetry he told me that the traditional metrical patterns or the classical structures were a hindrance for his creative expression.

Thus while retaining the diction in the classical texts, he wanted to experiment in modernistic forms, in the manner of e.e. cummings. Thus his first experimental stage was a series of free verse written as a column to a Sunday Sinhala newspaper.

As he was gradually elevated from his profession, he took time off to do more and more reading and writing. While retaining the spirit of a sensitive experience Mahagamasekara created poems and lyrics to suit all categories of people.

His poems and lyrics were received by a large majority of reading public. His flimsy volume of modern poetry titled 'Heta irak payai' was widely discussed. Some of the traditional critics were angered by this poetic creative experiments that they nicknamed his writings as 'crash kavi'.

As our friend Mahagamasekara had a good sense of humour (which most of us lack today) he did not much care about his critics. Nor did he reply them, instead he went on his journey of creativity, eventually creating a special niche for himself. Sekara was sought after by many during the sixties.

When we wanted a cover for a book done well we would approach Mahagamasekara at his Gampaha residence and request him to help us. Sekara would, in a relaxed mood undertake such assignments without any grievance.

Within a matter of few days, for even instantly he would design and produce a book cover to the author's satisfaction. Then he would laugh at his own creation as if to express that it is the kind of thing that he could produce at the moment. This was a calibre of Mahagamasekara.

Once I saw him hiding behind a pillar in Radio Ceylon corridor.

'Why are you hiding?' I asked.

'That fellow, the film director, I am sure is in search of me. He wants me to write lyrics for his latest film. Though I promise, I could not write owing to the pressure of works.' This type of hide and seek cannot be repeated for Mahagamasekara found himself a member of the masses.

In this manner, he was helpful to those around him as well as institutes and units. One of the finest teachers in his creativity is the influence derived from home sources as well as sources abroad. One would example is the lyrics he wrote titled 'Sannaliyane', a variation of poetic theme by an Indian poetess Sarojini Naidu.

Once Pundit Amaradeva told me how he happened to create a melody for his lyric. He said that Sekara's lyrics rested on three planes. And the melody had to be structured in keeping with the spirit of the lyric.

This type of lyrical writing superseded and towered high from those of his fellow writers. I firmly feel that Sekara had a mission in his life and creativity. He was a dedicated artiste, who never cared material encumbrances.

He was a scholar who honoured his learning. He was not just a parrot of traditional moods. As he was also grossly misunderstood by his contemporary literary giants. He failed to become 'sane' in the strict sense of the term and faced all the wretchednesses and crudities around him. I adore him so much that sometime when I remember him, I murmur to myself Bob Dylan's song.

'Now I understand How you suffered for your sanity.' At this juncture we should feel happy that his long remembered creativity is carried by Mahagamasekara Padanama to the posterity. I am also happy to hear that A. N. C. L has honoured him with a donation for his creative communication par excellence.

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