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| Mahagamasekara |
Mahagamasekara was born on April 07, 1929 at Radawana, Gampaha. Even in his student life, he showed his capability in the various fields of Sinhala literature. Later he was able to build a popularity among avid readers, as an erudite artist
He was a poet, a short story writer, a novelist, a playwriter, a film director, a lyricist and a good artist. In a short period of time, Sekara specially evinced talents in the field of Sinhala poetry.
This intuitive poet published eight collections of poetry. They are Wiyanga (1960), Sakvalihini (1962), Heta Irak Payai (1963), Maknisada Yath (1964), Rajathilaka Lionel ha Priyantha (1967), Bodima (1970), Nomiyemi (1973) and Prabuddha (1977). Final collection of poetry was published after his untimely death.
In Sekara’s poetry books, special features could be noticed. One of the special features emerged in his poems is depicting love affairs among lovers. “Premawanthayo” could be given for example. In this, an old couple is enacted. These lovers lived together with happiness in their young age.
However, when they were very old, they like to separate with happiness. They do not like to love each other even in chilly days. This class of poems shows us that there would be a suitable age for loving.
In his collections of poetry, urbanisation is depicted, as a special feature. Handa Saha New York Nuwara could be indicated for instance. In this, the absence of leisure and complexity in urbanised cities are shown elegantly. At present, people work in factories, as machines due to unpleasant urbanisation. In this, moon symbolises the beauty of village.
The city “New York” symbolises the complexity of urbanisation. In this, deterioration of civilisation in the urbanised city is shown before us. The man who was enacted in this, lives lonely without associating others. This poem alludes the beauty of village and unleisure of urbanisation. However, Sekara admired good things of the urbanisation.
One of the features of his poetry books is containing of visionary thoughts. The concept “Death” has been entered to his two collections of poetry. He always talk about beauty of the death. Sekara presented his concept in his first poetry book named Wiyanga.
He introduced the “death” as a beautiful thing. Further more, Sekara has pointed out the death as eternal sleep. He describes this concept even in the collection named Nomiyemi. Accordingly, this poet seems to have presented visionary thoughts in his some anthologies.
Sekara enacts the class disparity existing at present society. In addition, the misery of the poor is depicted pleasantly. His collection of poetry named Mak Nisada Yath could be indicated for instance.
Binden Binde Jale
Pippayen wete
Belekka Tin Regath
Lamo wata sitith
Pippayen wete
Belekka Tin Regath
Lamo wata sitith
This poem imagines the reality of the life of many poor children who have settled near the area of Kelani river. A rhythem that is suitable for the subject matter could be seen in this stanza. This poet has elaborated existing social problems in the present society.
Prostitution is one of the social problems existing in Sri Lankan society. This poet enacts the prostitutes in some of his poems. He does not treat the prostitutes as low characters. He points out the prostitution as a living way. He sympathizes the harlots. This proves his humanism regarding poor women.
Sekara implicitly depicts the mutual connection between poverty and prostitution. He used the word Amma to the prostitute in the poem. According to these features, it is obvious that subject matter of his poetry books has extended in a vast area.
Mahagamasekara was not fortunate enough to live a long period of time. He passed away on January 14, 1976, when he was forty six years old. His sudden demise was an irreparable lose to modern Sinhala literature.
Daily News - By Rohana Wansatilaka
