Wimalaratne Kumaragma:

Muse of remote Vanni

Premasara EPASINGHE

Wimalaratne Kumaragama's 48th death anniversary falls on December 30. This is a tribute this Grate Poet.

In Greek and Rome myth, there are nine Goddesses daughter of Zeno or Jupiter who protected and encouraged Poetry, Music, Dancing, History and other branches of Art and Literature. The above is the definition for the word MUSE. The Muse of remote Vanni is poet Wimalaratna Kumaragama.

Wimalaratne Kumaragama

There are many poets, who live after their death. Buddhist monk Tibetan S. Mahinda, Munidasa Cumarathunga, Ananda Rajakaruna, P.B Alwis Perera, Sagara Palansuriya (Keyas), Meemana Prematilleke, Kapila Senevirathna, H.M. Kuladigama etc, are among the men who shone in the recent 'Colombo Era' Period, out of them one of the most outstanding poets was Wimalaratne Kumaragama.

This great poet Kumaragma's contribution to modern Sinhala poetry is enormous. He was a lovable poet, whose name is coined with Vanniya (Jungle). He served as a District Revenue Officer (DRO), with distinction, in many Districts, such as Puttalam, Anamaduwa, Kotmale, Ratnapura. Kalawana, Anuradhapura, Mahiyangana, Bintenna etc, Kumaragama was part and parcel of Vanni Culture. Although, Kumaragama was an outstanding poet with so many poems, only two books were published titled "Sanwega Vedana" and "Hapumali" in the year 1940 and 1946 respectively.

A poem is metrical composition, especially one concerned with feeling or imaginative description, an elevated composition in verse or prose, with poetic qualities. A poet should possess high power of imagination or expression. In short, it is a piece of creative writing in verse. To be poetic, is being graceful and aesthetically pleasing. Poetry is the work of a poet. It is an imaginative expression of emotion, thought or narration.

The poems of Wimalaratna Kumaragama is mostly, centred round the innocent villagers of Vanniya. In his 'Kaude Gedara', which consists of 53 poems, Kumaragama describe beautifully the lifestyle of Sundara hami and his family. He depicts the true life of the village and its surroundings and characters.

He begins his Kauda Gedara composition in this manner:-

Gan Tuna Tulane Aliya Wetunu Wewe

Sundara Hami tharam Pohosethek Nowe

Tun Lahakama Bima Weda Kera Diyen Wawe

Ran Wan Karal Baravi Dan Bimata Neme

The village is known as Aliyawetunu Wewa. The farmer Sundarahami is a successful farmer, with a successful harvest.

Kumaragama depicted the lives of the farmers of Aliyawatunawewa in a border perspective and described the environment beautifully in poetic language.

Wimalaratne Kumaragama was born on January 18, 1919 at Narampanawa, Patadumbara, Palispattuwa Korale. His father was a Head Master of a government school- Punchibandara Kumaragama. Mother's name was K.H. Bandara Menike. They were blessed with seven children, Wimalarathne was the second.

He had his Primary Education at Werapitiya school, Madolkele, Kandy from 1923-1927. Then, he attended the bilingual school Teldeniya and later joined Sri Rahula College, Katugastota.

In 1930, Wimalarathne Kumaragama joined Darmaraja College, Kandy, one of the Crest Jewels of Buddhist Education, in Sri Lanka. In 1935, he passed his Matriculation with distinction and joined the Clerical Service.

His first appointment was Anuradhapura Kachcheri. In this year, he lost his dear sister. Based on this tragedy, he wrote Sanwega Vedana.

Sihinen Pawa Nothelu anikekuge Mana

Ganarankade Koda Ada Oba Bolanda Pana

Amaranganawan Ekayata Turulu Una

Obagen ane Ivarai Ma Karapu Pina

Poet laments the passing away of his sister. He says that she has joined the celestial abode.

In 1942, when serving as a clerk, Kumaragama passed the D.R.O Examination and he assumed duties at the Anuradhapura Kachcheri. Later, he served in this capacity, at Anamaduwa. He was transferred to Nuwara Eliya, Udahewaheta in 1945, and he serve in this hill country for 3 years and 2 months.

Wimalaratna Kumaragama's one of the best pieces of literature was the poem titled Hapumali, which depicts the story of the innocent Wanni Girl. Due to poverty, she leaves the beloved mother and serves as a domestic servant in Colombo and how she was ruined by a sex mania in Colombo. She becomes an orphan with a child. It's a moving story. Wimalaratne in his beautiful poetics style wrote Hapumali, which consists nearly 100 poems.

Bulathin Peheya laba Tol Peti Deka Rathya

Gambada Nisa Ege Avihinsaka Nethya

Ge Dora siyalu Meheyata Kadisara Athya

Duppath unath Ae Rupen Pohosathya

This innocent damsel is a beauty. Although, she is poor, she performs her household work very efficiently.

From 1949 to 1958, Wimalaratne Kumaragma served as a D.R.O at Ratnapura, Badulla, Bintenna, Kegalle, Kurunegala. As he knew the pulse of the innocent villagers, he served them at his best, with commitment and dedication.

He was a great lover of animals. As a bachelor he lived a lonely life. His pet was a dog named Neela. He was really shaken when the little companion died.

Miyagiya Dinata Dina Thunakata Udadi Veti

Mase Enda Lanata Vi Umbe Duka Kiyapu Heti

Umbagana Noyek De Sihitiaye Matuwa Siti

Umbage agaya Minisun Siyadenuku Vati

Mage Hadawate Etuluwa Hurathal Dawasa

Sita Niuwehiya Thani Jeevathayaka Pawasa

Ma Sethapena Atara Kaluwara Kara Niwasa

Neela Mala Hatarata Eiye Sawasa

Some of his famous and popular poems are Wanniye Mal', Harak Hora, Iiyanayaka, Yantamberuna, Game Wewa, Herathhami. They depict the life and times of the villagers of Wanniya.

The beautiful poetic language he uses in his poems is true and real to life. In his famous poem Walas Dadayama he portrays a fine picture relating to the environment, about the jungle.

Pulai Mai Palugaha Debelaka Messe

Simaa Samaga Kadiya Katawale Asse

Mehi Athi Hema Handata Mage Handawata Gasse

Ada Handapaluwa Ada Wanaroda Mede Isse

In some poems, he was greatly influenced by Janakavi Style, Folk Poetry. In Yamtam Beruna, he was saddened by the demise of Deer Mother-Muwa Dena. He expresses his feelings in this manner. He was deeply thinking about the future of the little ones, she left behind. Wimalaratne Kumaragame's human qualities were symbolized in these lines.

Ira Paya Ira Mudunata Enna Epa

Amma Nathi Apita Badagini Wena Epa

It reminds me so much of Yasodharawatha.

In his popular poem Herathhami, he gives due credit to Herathhami, who assists the J.M.O. in dissecting, dead bodies, in the Vanniya,

Aliya Wetunu wewa siti Herath Hami

Ma Vanniku Urada Mama Vedagath Weemi

Mini Kapana Muthu Ee Herath Hami

Ohu Mata Vada Visithis Gunayen Demi

Wimalaratne Kumaragame was a fine student of English Literature. He was a prolific reader.

When he was serving in Kalawana as the D R O, Sabaragamuwa, and Government Agent once paid an official visit to his area the Englishman knew that Kumaragame was a Sinhala Poet.

To show his knowledge as process brilliance in English Literature, he quoted a poem and stated to Wimalaratne it was written by famous poet T S Elliot.

Wimalaratne Kumaraga quickly replied thus "Excuse me Sir the poem you quoted just now belongs to William Shakespeare, not Elliot". Englishman was taken aback about his knowledge in English poetry.

Champion of Hitiwana kavi

Wimalaratne Kumaragame was a fine human being. Unassuming poet, he was witty, and he was very popular among his staff members. Although he was a strict disciplinarian, he moved very freely with his subordinates. He entertains them with Instant Poems (Hitiwana Kavi).

One day, after a circuit he returned to Anuradhapura Kachcheri, He had lunch with some of the staff members. At this time he was an Assistant Government Agent. A young charming clerical staff member, smilingly stated, "Sir you are a brilliant, popular poet. Can you kindly compose a poem about me, Dear Sir"?

This great poet in his inimitable style, replied the young lady, with an instant poem (Hitiwana Kaviya).

"My Dear Girl, you are still young. Therefore, I will recite two lines, not four line.

Nangi Inna Heti Dekkama Meseta Ana Ana

Matath Wediya Pinkalabawa Denai Mese Kona

(Having observed your punching on the Table, I wonder whether the corner of the table is more fortunate than me.)

One day, an old feeble villager came to meet him (Wimalatatna Kumaragama) to tell one of his personal grievances relative to his wife. The old man knew that AGA was a reputed poet. Therefore, he made his complaint in a verse or with a poem.

Gatte Karekak, Eye Dennam Loriya

Loriyak elavenna Den Mata Nehe Piriya

Instantly, with a smile, Wimalarathne Kumaragama replied,

Telgala, Greese Dama Lagata ganin Loriya

Karekata Vada Hodin Edala Yavi Loriya.

The old man, worshipped Wimalaratne Kumaragama and left the "Disapati Hamaudurwo's Room.

Wimalaratna Kumaragama is my favourite poet.

He was a renowned poet, a true villager, fine gentleman and a human being, who possessed a Golden Heart. He passed away on December 30, 1962 at the General Hospital Kandy.

May this great poet Wimalaratne Kumaragama attain the Bliss of Nibbana.