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Kala Korner - by Dee Cee

Andare's tales in print
Two experienced personalities in the field of children's literature have jointly produced an excellent collection of Andare's tales. The text written by Piyawathie Jayasuriya has been illustrated by Sybil Wettasinghe in this Sarasavi publication. Though not much in the limelight, Piyawathie has been a writer of repute having translated a number of Japanese children's stories to Sinhala. Sybil, of course, continues to be in great demand as an illustrator.

"In spite of watching cartoons and other popular children's programmes on TV, children are still fond of reading," says Sybil. "But they are very selective. Today, children are much more intelligent. That's why most titles don't do well in the marketplace. The new writing should match up to their intelligence."

Meanwhile, Sybil finds a growing demand for her earlier stories. Several publishers want her to work on new illustrations for these and some prefer to do them in colour. She is busy working on 'Kiri Hamy', a story revolving round a jak tree. "Recently at a children's gathering, a little one walked up to me and told me he has read my 'Weniyan Kalu' ten times," Sybil recalled. She discusses her childhood in the book which is now in its third edition.

Much effort had gone into 'Andare' which has 35 stories written in simple Sinhala in a readable style. Short sentences are the writer's technique. So are the stories. The illustrations, though in black and white, are very striking.

We have listened to many a tale on Andare from our small days. Yet we never realized that there would be so many for a collection. "You will be amazed at the number of stories we have come across. We intend doing several publications," says Sybil. They found these stories in the 'special collection' section in the Public Library. There are many books written on Andare.

Who is Andare?
In an introduction to the book, the writer has tried to put the pieces together and construct the life story of Andare. Many are the theories on Andare. Was he the court jester? If so, during which king's time? Was there ever a character called Andare? Is Andare the name of a person or does it mean 'one who relates a story' because 'andaraya' in Sinhala means a tale? Is the name a derivation of a popular name during the Portuguese and Dutch times like Andrew and Andreas?

The writer believes Andare was an intelligent boy. She relates the story of how his father had taken him to a place called Getamanne and made him stay at a teacher's house to learn the letters. He didn't like the place and went back home one day. His father was furious.

He beat him and tied him to a tree outside. He refused to take him into the house in the night. There was a huge shower and Andare recited a verse pleading with his father to take him in. There was no response. Then he appealed to his mother reciting another verse. She was moved, took him in and gave him to eat. Andare's comments while eating made his father realise his intelligence. Never again did he force him to learn.

Andare served as court jester or court messenger during the time of King Rajasinghe. Some believed the king was Kirti Sri Rajasinghe while others said it was Rajadhi Rajasinghe. There are yet others who say it was Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe.

Just as he was witty, Andare was also very sarcastic. He turned and twisted his utterances (mainly in verse) to suit the occasion. It is said that no one was able to meet his wit - not even the king. Andare always won the day. There were instances when he ridiculed even the king, who could not do anything except laugh.

When Andare fell ill while in the king's palace, he preferred to go back home. The king gave him lot of gifts and sent him home in a palanquin. But he died on the way. It is believed that Andare died under a tree on the Hambantota-Tissamaharama road at a village called Udamalala. The king is supposed to have attended his funeral.

In English?
The book 'Andare' is a fine example of our rich tradition of folk literature. The stories which were related by grandmothers before the little ones went to bed, are now in print to be read and enjoyed - not only by children but by adults as well. And there is bound to be an interest among the English speaking crowd for an English version of this highly entertaining collection. Possibly Sarasavi Publishers are already working on one.

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