A collection of thoughtful and inspirational poetry
Dr. Senarath Tennakoon
Udeni Sarathchandra published his poetry book, Soldaduva saha
Vijithaya first in 1974.
He has remained in silence or in hibernation for over 30 years to
produce his next anthology of poems Puragana Naganiyo in 2009.
During this lapse of time his poetic potential, acumen, and wisdom
have matured, grown and developed impressively and ponderously. Now he
is a very mature and experienced poet than in the 1970s.
Unlike in many collections of poems during the modern times which are
teeming with inappropriate metaphors and simile and crossword puzzle
like poems, Udeni’s poetry is straightforward, non cryptic, cute, smart
and well focused to the theme. There is no need for a special type of a
language to carve personal and social experiences for Udeni.
“Akmava idimila narak ve darunu lesa
othpolava oba siti rohale andak matha
Obe kaya dutu vitadi aetaku vaeharenu vilasa
Saeka soka mathu viya obe divi gamana gana”
(Here the poet ponders over the lifestyle of a person hospitalised
for liver failure. The patient has a swollen liver and his body is
swollen. He is like a disabled elephant)
Udeni has been a keen observer of the day-to-day human activities of
the down to earth common people.
From these observations he has coined several excellent poems. One
such poem revolves around the life activities of a group of labourers
who are busily reconstructing a road for tar carpeting it.
They boil black tar in a huge barrel placed on temporary fire-place,
balancing on three stones. Udeni describes the event in just simple
language without any metaphor or simile. But his elegant and eloquent
application of the common language and style creates an insightful
poetic vision:
“Tire kaelida taba gal tune lipa matina
Gini melavu baralaye tara unu yvu sanina
Gal mathehi tara vhuduvana sati balanu mana.”
Udeni does not try to go into philosophical rambling for a search to
vex with unidentified visions.
Poetry should not be obscure, introverted and as cryptic as a
crossword puzzle; it is the poet’s duty to reach out and embrace the
world. (Afford, 2006). Reference. Afford Michelle (2006) A Poet’s
Paradise, Poetry Now, Gt Britain. |
