Aesthetic splendour rediscovered
Recently the Sirimavo Bandaranaike convention centre came alive with
a spectacular event of unmatched vivacity and aesthetic splendor in
respect of book launches here in Sri Lanka. It marked the arrival of
Samaranayake Publishers to patronise Sri Lankan fiction in the aim of
promoting works of local writers to readerships taking ‘Sri Lankan
literature beyond our shores’, which was the theme of the event.
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Prof Saman Chandra Ranasinghe of the
University of Sri Jaywardenapura addresses the gathering |
Chief Guest and Guest of Honour were retired Professor of English
from University of Colombo Siromi Fernando and Vice Chancellor of
University of Peradeniya Prof Sarath Abayakoon.
The evening marked several performances of aesthetic splendor by
exponential artists. Among them were Kolitha Bhanu Dissanayake, Dr
Nirmala Rodrigo the exponential sitarist, Dr Thushara Ratnayake, The
Colombo Chamber Music Society led by Lakshman Joseph de Seram, and the
finale being from songstress Neela Wickramasinghe.
The welcome address was delivered by the host of the evening Ranjith
Samaranayake Managing Director of Samaranayake Publishers.
A key point in his address was why he entered publishing - to promote
the Sri Lankan identity in the sphere of world of literature, by
providing an avenue to upcoming and aspiring writers in Sri Lanka to
pursue authorship and to reach international readerships. Another
important factor pointed out was how few English translations are done
of Sinhala novels. He extended an invitation to upcoming and aspiring
writers to approach his company to explore possibilities of being
published.
Several intellectuals graced the occasion. The keynote address was by
Prof Wimal Dissanayake. Other speakers included - veteran Sri Lankan
writer Dr Gunadasa Amarasekera, Prof Saman Chandra Ranasinghe and Prof
A. V Suraweera.
Four publications were launched that evening: Circles of Fire,
Textual Tapestry, Hola El Che! and The Cultural Scene thus far. Three
titles of veteran Sri Lankan writer Punyakante Wijenaike were also
reintroduced as new editions by Samaranayake Publishers.
Published books
Circles of fire
Author: Kathleen Jayawardena
Translator: Ranga Chandrarathne
The English translation of popular Sinhala authoress Kathleen
Jayawardena’s novel Agni Chakra, Circles of Fire presents a story of our
times.
The central character of Prof Saddamangala Siriniwasa’s rise to
eminence in circles of academia is strewn with dilemmas and crises that
speak loudly of many contemporary issues in Sri Lankan society ranging
from caste to class to common perceptions of ethics and morality.
Textual Tapestry
Author: Dilshan Boange
A collection of short fiction, poetry and narrative prose that
thematically entwine very subtlety as imagery that builds a picture of
varying emotions.
The work is made up of five segments -Silken Scriptures, The Swan
Collection, Musings and Beyond, Verses, and Climbing the Mango Tree (a
collection of short stories).
Hola El Che!
Author: Dilshan Boange
A set of three separate pieces of fiction Hola El Che! is made up of
- a short story titled Hola El Che! a novella named The Galle Face
Literary Eve and a novelette called Cannibals in the corner room. The
connecting factor between these three pieces of fiction is that they are
constructed on the technique of magical realism grounded in a strong Sri
Lankan context.
The Cultural scene thus far
Author: Indeewara Thilakarathne
A compilation of critical writings that presents topics of a diverse
range touching on several highly contemporary issues related to Sri
Lanka’s world of art and culture. The subjects dwelt into by the writer
raise certain concerns and presents perspectives related to the arts and
letters.
Books of Punyakante Wijenaike: Giraya
The novel Giraya first came out in 1971 and was made a very familiar
story to many a Sri Lankan after being made into a highly successful
teledrama by Dr Lester James Peries. The story shows the plight of a
young woman caught in the mysteries of an aristocratic family. This
novel is highly acclaimed as a Sri Lankan work of literature presenting
issues connected with wealthy families of the colonial era.
To Follow the Sun
The collection of short stories a diverse range of themes and issues
are brought out through narratives that capture very sensitive aspects
of the human emotional being. Complex twists in relationships between
individuals as well as society are presented in the title story - “To
follow the Sun”.
The Waiting Earth
The first novel written by one of Sri Lanka’s most respected writers
in English this work has been hailed as significant in capturing many
aspects of the Sri Lankan ethos and giving voice to the numerous
hardships faced by Sri Lanka’s rural populaces.
It is a prescribed text in the local A-L English literature syllabus
which says much of its value in the literary canon. |
