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The Lullaby (Daru nalavillla) by Munidasa Cumaratunga

(This first appeared in Shiksha Margaya - III 24th impression)

In this poem the mother, lulls the baby to sleep, is carried away by the thought that all the animate and inanimate things in the environment, turns out to be contributory factors in maintaining perfect silence for the sound sleep of the infant. It is remarkable to note, how the poetic melody moves smoothly and easily.

Once you listen to the cradle - rhythm, evoked by the Sinhala poem, you may be able to feel flowing through it, the silent sweet music of the lullaby. It is indeed the mother's lulling - flute that lurs all of us for a soothing silence.

Cumaratunga's most remarkable poetic genius has brought out quite well, the suggestive associations pertaining to the thematic process and above all - the poetic artistry to fit meaning to purpose, has set the suitable meter for a cradle - rhythm, and the soothing tone is glowing over the whole poem as observed by Tagore, words are for those who have received command to ornate the hall of life for its festivities.

An appreciation of Cumaratunga's lullaby appeared in 'Kavi-Shikshava' in 1932 with special reference to the verses - 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 commenting on the poetic merits, and the elegance of the language Martin Wickremasingha, 'in Nava Padya Sinhalaya, (page 72 - 73) rightly observed how the tonal melody of the whole poem heightens the soothing effect without interruption corresponding the cradle song. It is a spontaneous over - flowing of words.

When compared with English lullabies in Mother Goose, (the complete book of nursery rhymes, first published in 1719, 1760 and later in 1785) Cumaratunga's lullaby ranks very high in poetic merit, both in content and form. For example compare and contrast the lullabies of Cumaratunga with the following:-

Hush-a-bye-baby on the tree top,
Thy mother has gone to the mill,
To get some wheat to make
some meal,
So prey my dear baby lie still.

Hush-a-bye-baby on the tree top,
When the wind blows
the cradle will rock,
When the wind blows
the cradle will fall,
Down will come baby,
bough, cradle and all.

The lullaby (Daru - nalavilla)

1. The cradle quite cosy and nice,
Swings to the tune precise,
Hearing the sweet lullaby,
Sleep dear baby.

2. Here comes Mamy - sleep,
Her embrace will she keep,
Sleep baby sleep,
Sleep baby sleep.

3. As the sun-beams are
far too heaty,
The beams in the deep submerge,
To wet them and emerge,
Just see the love that's hearty.

4. As the moon is bitter cold,
The hare took a leap bold,
Doesn't this good fellow,
Keep half the beams mellow.

5. Lest the baby be taken by fright,
Nestlings are not in noisy-plight,
Hardly any use of the lullaby,
The female birds sleep thereby.

6. Refraining from
neck-scratching,
Checking the tinkling and
bells resounding,
Their urge to graze with ease,
The calves, do along with ease.

7. Gekos chase over hot
on the trail,
After flies their sounds not
to prevail,
Mouth to mouth
compression there,
Thus the baby's silence they care.

8. Our timepiece there to keep
Well the baby's peace of sleep
To denote the passing time,
Dosen't give the
lamenting chime.

9. The wind embracing order,
Of diverse flower - groves,
Softened by the windo - curtains,
Inducing the infant's
smile and colour.

10. Trees with
rustling - nature bound
Alow the soft breese
To move through with ease
Not evoking any sound.

11. The river with wind together
Avoiding the usual chatter,
In dumb silence bears,
The rapping of the oars.

12. On moon - lit sandy - planes
Scattering flowers, the Nymphs,
Dance devoid of anklets,
Casting this way their glances.

13. The heavenly hosts young
Without drums and Veenas
By means of heads and hands
Evoke tune not in high rung.

14. The moon without
casting to the ground,
The beams alike and
form - bound,

By the filtering - cloud - process
Sends mild beamlets
without stress.

15. Setting the tree -
shade - darkness around,
Without the least possible sound
The moon - beams on the river,
Dance with lifted feet sober.

16. When moon - beams
often beat,
The Saman - flowers -
the Cherubs -
Lest it hurts the tender ears,
Hold up their tender hands.

17. "The studded
stars bright glare
Seems too much for
the cradle - care."
Thinking this wise the
stars shudder,
As if in awe - stiken manner.

18. To kiss you with love sheer,
The Nymphs vying
with each other,
Fear - striken they tip - toe,
Pressing the ground below,

19. Saraswathi the muse
To your mouth her kiss will infuse
Lakshmi the godess of well being
Will embrace your very being.
Here comes Mamy - sleep
Her embrace will she keep
Sleep baby sleep
Sleep baby sleep.

The appreciative synopsis, and the English versification is by Sandadas, Comperahewa, Former Examiner in Sinhala Language and Literature; Head of the faculty of Art, Head of the faculty of Buddhism, S. Thomas' College - Mt. Lavinia, Former Editorial Consultant, Wijaya Publication (1986 - 1991).

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