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Kala Korner - by Dee Cee

Ranjit now a prolific writer
We enjoyed Ranjit Dharmakeerthi's dramas for many years from the 1960s onwards. Just as many of the dramatists of that era, he has also moved away from the theatre scene but I never realized he has been a prolific writer until I got a Visidunu publication recently. His latest effort is a Sinhala translation of eight Oscar Wilde stories tilted 'Preethimath Kumaraya saha Taruna Rajathuma'. They are stories meant for children and youth, but Ranjit is confident they will be enjoyed by adults as well.

Although the stories can be classified as fantasies, Ranjit believes they portray social reality. The themes promote the readers to improve their reading habit and create an interest in literature. There is sarcasm, humour and harsh social criticism in them. To Ranjit these stories remind him of the Jataka tales and the stories in Panchatantra and deliver a virtuous message in addition to the literary value in them.

Ranjit's lucid style makes it easy reading and gives an opportunity for Sinhala readers to enjoy the works of a renowned writer. This is the second occasion when he has tried his hand at translating Oscar Wilde. Earlier, he had translated one of Wilde's novels into Sinhala. A short biography has been included at the end of the book.

Ranjit's is an impressive record as a writer. He has at least seven novels (five originals and two translations), two youth novels ('Ahasa Polovata Langwela & 'Abhaya Bhoomiya', both Sahiya Award winners), four anthologies of short stories, two original dramas ('Modera Mola' & 'Megha' both winning Sahitya Awards) and five translations to his credit. In addition, he has written three books on theatre (one won a Sahitya award in 1997) and several children's books. He has also written two books in English - 'Robert Knox' and 'The Sanctuary'.

Going back to the days when Ranjit was in the forefront in the theatre scene, I vividly remember enjoying his 'Angaara Ganga Gala Basi' (1978) with beautiful music by maestro Khemadasa. Starting with 'Eka Wahala Yata' in 1964, Ranjit followed it up with 'Nanguram' and 'Maha Gedera' - the latter an adaptation of Anton Chekhov's 'Cherry Orchard'. Having written and produced a near dozen dramas (the last one being 'Megha' in 1991), Ranjit stepped aside and has been concentrating on his writing. For a while he was director-general of the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation.

English writings in Sinhala
Continuing its programme of providing the Sinhala reader with translations of works on Sri Lanka by English writers, Visidunu Publishers have added two more publications. One is the Sinhala version of Sir John D'Oyly's 'A Sketch of the Constitution of the Kandyan Kingdom' and the other is Dr Henry Marshall's 'Ceylon, A General Description of the Island and its Inhabitants'.
Both books have been written by Ellepola H. M. Seneviratne, a teacher by profession who 'specialised' in translating several classics starting with 'Medieval Sinhalese Art'.

D'Oyly was Chief Translator to the Government from 1805 till 1816 having learnt the language from Karatota Dhammarama Thera. He was appointed to the post of Resident at Kandy after the conquest of the Kandyan provinces. His book is a fine work on how the king administered his kingdom as well as the social conditions, rules and regulations and customs and traditions of the Kandyan era. The Sinhala reader is now able to gather a wealth of information of the early times. Seneviratne's writing style makes it easy reading. Short sentences are a feature of his writing.

According to D'Oyly, the ministers and other high officials were not paid but they received numerous benefits from those serving under them. Annually they made payments to the royal treasury. All officials and the public who went before the king had to prostrate themselves before him thrice and they knelt down to receive orders from the king as well as to convey any information to him.

Marshall's book discusses the physical features of the Island, agriculture and plantations, trade and commerce, the people and the administration by the British in the early years of their administration. His description of the climb to Sri Pada in April 1819 is interesting reading. The two books are valuable additions to the Visidunu collection of Sinhala versions of early writings on Sri Lanka

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