Trendsetter in children's literature
Uvindu Illeperuma
Another significant feature came to pass recently at the Galle
Literary Festival, where a local writer was discussed. The session was
on Martin Wickramasinghe, well known in our shores. His writings are
recognized even in the contemporary world order.
Wickramasinghe, no doubt, is held in high esteem in fields such as
journalism.
This was underscored in the speech delivered by Colombo University
graduate Achinthya Bandara. He focused on Wickramasinghe' contribution
to children's literature.
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Achintya
Bandara |
"There is a certain complaint that Wickramasinghe has blueprinted
'Huckleberry Finn' and 'Tom Sawyer' by Mark Twain. It's a
tongue-in-cheek statement. If we scrutinize the contemporary literary
discipline we can see so many other writers around the world have
exploited the same theme. This is an intriguing subject matter. A
familiar example is the literature emerged in the wake of the
establishment of socialist power structure for governance of USSR.
"Thereafter we can see how many countries in the world strived for
socialism-based power structure. In this movement writers who favor
socialism took the vanguard as the trendsetters." Achinthya said.
The Children's Literature should be an inspiration which results in
innovations. Madol Doova is great impetus to children. Upali Giniwelle
in Madol Doova stands on his own feet and takes his own way, experiences
his life, and exposes himself to actual life.
Children should be allowed to face real life. Exposing life of a
child to a fairy fragile world is not at all worthwhile if that child is
to adapt to a down to earth character.
"What Wickramasinghe did with Madol Doova is totally different to
that of what Munidasa did. It is different to traditional children's
literature such as Sirithmaldama so and so. What that traditional
outlook did was none other than tell what should be done and what should
not be done. What should be done should be determined by children, not
by others. If we are to create a child like that, Wickramasinghe is one
of the trendsetters of that." Achinthya said.
Speaking on the children's Literature in present day Achinthya said:
“We have to have a thought again if we need to create an innovative
child. The discourse to bring amendments to this area is nil.
We have to create the need that innovative literature should be
brought to children. Complain that children of the day don't hold
validity. Children are different now. Their exposure is too vast. Their
needs are different. We have to meet their needs accordingly the present
tense situation.”
“Children nowadays won’t enjoy Dostara Hodahita on TV as we did.
Their taste it different now. Even though we enjoyed Madol Doova,
today's Children would not enjoy it because it would not hit their
taste. We have to think according to the present day if we are to catch
up with children.” He concluded.
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