Is the alphabet being distorted?
Is the Sinhala alphabet being distorted
with the advent of the computer age? Are some of the letters not being
properly designed in most software that have been developed? Is it due
to ignorance or carelessness? Where will all this lead? Will it result
in the future generations not knowing the alphabet properly?
These and related issues were the subject matter of a lively discussion
held recently at the Mahaweli Centre. The occasion was the launching of
The Fontmaster, a new Sinhala package developed by letter artist
Pushpanada Ekanayake.
Tracing the history of the Sinhala alphabet, which had been in use for
over 2300 years, Professor J B Disanayaka outlined how the alphabet had
progressed over the years. From around 37 letters it has come up to 60,
the latest figure being the accepted form by the National Institute of
Education, the recognized body on matters of education. However, there
are already more additions, at least five.
He then pointed out the different forms of lettering from the time people
wrote on rocks and caves, then on ola leaves followed by paper, once printing
came in during Dutch times. Then it was the typewriter and now on to the
computer. In computers the problem is that some letters do not have the
distinct features seen earlier. Often ja would appear as pa.
The distinctive marks in the letters have to be maintained, he insisted.
Variety of fonts from the font master
Creator Ekanayake describes his package
as an attempt to meet a national need. From the time letter artists used
to hand draw the letters, the correct forms have been maintained. It's
with the computer age that distortions crept in. The problem has been mainly
with the letter forms and the signs used to identify vowels and consonants.
"My mission is to rectify these errors and present a carefully
designed package." he says. He has also developed several styles of
letters to meet the needs of the advertising industry, thereby creating
a distinct difference between the fonts used by editorial columns in newspapers
and advertisements. "This will give the visualisers a variety of fonts
to select from," he points out. He has also maintained the identity
of each letter by using the symbols correctly and clearly.
Triveni music is Triveni music
It will be a rare experi- ence for music
lovers when on October 6 a team of high calibre artistes presents Triveni
in concert - volume four at the Lionel Wendt.
"What type of music do you play?" someone asked.
"Well ..Triveni music is Triveni music. There are no boundaries.
But the music is young and vibrant. Innovative and colourful. Calm and
serene. This is a concert woven with poetry. We don't like the word fusion.
We call this ethnic music."
The performers are well known names in the music scene - men who have
made a name for themselves in doing something innovative. Harsha Makalanda,
(piano), Krishna & Ravibandu (percussion), Aruna Siriwardena and Rifai
Thouwfeek (drums), Lalanath de Silva and Kumara Liyanawaththa (flute),
Guy Halpe (bass) and Ranga Dasanayaka.
Fine gesture: He gave what he got
Well known theatre personality Buddhadasa
Galappatty was the winner of the award for Best Make up (in Deveni Mahinda)
at the recent State Drama Festival. He won a cash award of Rs 7,500. Having
accepted the award, he returned it with a request that the money be utilised
to help the student who obtains the highest marks for drama at the A level
examination.
Returning home Buddhi thought a bit more and a few days later sent a
cheque for another Rs 2,500 requesting that a fund be started to help an
undergraduate at the Kelaniya University following a drama course for his
or her degree.
He has no objection even if the money is given to a student who shows
signs that he would make a worthwhile contribution to Sinhala theatre.
Book shelf
Catering from little ones to adults
Recent publications from Sarasavi Publishers
present varied subjects to a wide readership, ranging from little ones
and young readers to adults. Among them I was fascinated by experienced
Royal Primary teacher A H Piyasena's Sindu Hodiya which teaches
the Sinhala alphabet in a novel and interesting way -through songs and
poems.
Amme Amme Anna Atana
Agala Ayine Amba gahe
Aga Aththe Amba pokure
Ambayak thibuna idee
This opening poem uses the letter "A" in 11 places (indicated
with capital letters). There are four such poems to introduce the letter
"A." Learning becomes fun when a little one has to sing rather
than read. Author Piyasena stresses that just as they like pictures, they
also like songs and poems.
Chandrasoma Vitanage's Indeeya Veeraputhunge Vickrema relates
the stories of ten Indian heroic children.
Water sports is the subject of Mahinda Liyanage's Pihinum Saha Diya
Kreeda, a well illustrated book which is a useful guide to anyone interested
in the subject. He deals with swimming, diving and water polo introducing
each with a brief history and development of the game.
- Ranat
Much more than a poet
Best known as Boralesgamuwe G.H. Perera, the poet,
the 50th death anniversary of this versatile man was celebrated
recently at the John de Silva Theatre amidst a large gathering
Clad in a simple white national dress and
slippers, always with an umbrella in hand, he was a regular figure at gatherings
of poets in the early part of this century. It was the heyday of the "era
of Colombo poets."
He was much more than a poet. He was a teacher, novelist, journalist,
artist, historian, social reformer and farmer. An impressive record indeed.
Galhenage Hendrick Perera (1896-1948) was best known as Boralesgamuwe
G H Perera, the poet. Recently his fiftieth death anniversary was celebrated
at the John de Silva Theatre amidst a large gathering.It was an unusually
large gathering for an occasion of this nature. Many commemorative meetings
attract only a handful of people, mainly close friends and relatives of
the person.
The G H Perera commemoration committee led by his grandson Praneeth
Perera had done a lot of homework to make it an eventful evening. Popular
writer Somaweera Senanayake evaluated G H Perera's work. Two books were
launched. G H Perera's library and his personal belongings including the
umbrella he always carried, the spectacles he wore to write, and the table
clock were handed over to the National Library Services Board for posterity.
An entertaining Kavi Maduwa was held to wind up the proceedings.
State patronage came by way of the publication of one book -Selalihini
Asna -carrying colour drawings by G H Perera to illustrate the famous
Selalihini Sandesaya. The original drawings, which had never been
published had stood the test of time, for nearly 75 years. As Professor
A V Suraweera explains, as a poet with a high sense of appreciation and
being a teacher, he may have thought the best way to teach the Selalihini
Sandesa poems would be by illustrating them.
The other book titled Sinhala Mangala Suththra Saha Wenath Nirmana
is a critique of the poet's literary works by Somaweera Senanayake. This
Dayawansa Jayakody publication also carries two of G H Perera's novels-Sinhala
Mangala Suththara ( a satirical work highlighting the unnecessary traditions
and customs followed by the Sinhalese during weddings) and Soodu Anthuwa,
highlighting the ill effects of gambling. Bebadda (drunkard), a
short story written by him also appears in the book.
Somaweera Senanayake has done much research in compiling the book including
many an anecdote to illustrate G H Perera's character. Having passed the
Pupil Teacher Examination when he was 23 years of age, G H Perera joined
as an assistant teacher for a salary of Rs 15 a month. Sometimes the salary
was not paid for months (the school was administered by a society) but
this did not affect him since he had his own plot of land and a few paddy
fields. He was quite used to working the paddy fields himself. Known among
the villagers as Iskola Mahattaya, he soon became a popular teacher.
"My aim is not to make you all teachers or train you for jobs. My
intention is to make you men useful to society. If my pupils are not more
learned than myself I don't consider them by pupils," he used to say.
When he became the head master of a school, he found the teachers getting
late in the morning. He announced those who got late would be kept out.
They would have to stand out and wait, double the time they were late.
The next day, he purposely got late to come. He was late by ten minutes.
He stood outside for twenty minutes. None of the teachers came late thereafter.
G H Perera made it a habit to record his daily routine in a "Day
Book." He used an exercise book for the purpose. His entry in the
Day Book for May 26, 1933 was: From today I have decided to skip dinner
on Mondays. It's not as a ritual but because it's good to rest the stomach.
If I don't feel uneasy I must continue it as a habit. 27 May:
Can feel happy about yesterday's fasting.
The Day Book turned out to be a social study of his times. G H Perera
showed his leadership qualities as President of the influential teachers'
association, Lanka Jathika Guru Sangamaya and as President of the Sinhala
Kavi Sammenalaya, the All-Ceylon Sinhalese Poets Congress.
He was best known as a poet. He was a prolific contributor to the poetry
column of Sinhala newspapers and magazines. He displayed a special aptitude
for religious, patriotic and humorous compositions. His poems on the virtues
of the Buddha were held in high esteem by the reading public. His Kavya(anthologies)
included Biddhastotra, Mage Rata, Boralesgamu Rachana, Varaka Madulu,
Mage Malli, Vesak Rasa Baska and Sinhala Sirita(with V D de Lanerolle).
G H Perera Kavya Sangrahaya was an anthology published after his
death.
He took an active interest in politics too. He was the most sought after
speaker at Lanka Sama Samaja Party meetings. They preferred to have him
as the last speaker because he added a lot of humour and satire into his
speech. He added colour to his speech by singing a few verses. He explained
in simple folk idiom, the theories expounded by the leaders. Meanwhile,
he was quite critical of politicians and their doings. In the novel, Mangala
Sooththara there are many instances where he ridicules the "manthrivaru"
(Members - State Council or Parliament). In one place he says: "I
am even cleverer than Members in uttering "walbootha" (useless
talk)."In another: "I thought I will also get garlanded like
the Members who utter improper words (nohobina wachana). Instead
I was punished. I was quite convinced that if you want to win praise after
doing improper deeds, then you have to be a Member."
G H Perera's published works included eight anthologies, two novels
(referred to earlier), two collections of short stories (Bebadda and
Ping Deema), one story book (Kai Kathandara), two historical
works (Hela Divu Puvata & Elidarawwa, and three miscellaneous
writings (Mage Adahas, Dalada Watura and Nendage Surathal). As a
journalist he contributed to newspapers and journals under the pen names
"Sinha Putra", "Raja Murari" and "Boralesgamuwe."
G H Perera was a fearless writer. He opposed British imperialism. He
sought not only political and economic freedom but also mental independence.
He worked towards a righteous society. Through his creative work, he worked
towards achieving a society with pronounced values and respect for the
family concept. He believed the country's future should be with the educated
youth.
His two sons -Wimalasiri and Wimalaweera were both journalists. Wimalasiri
was at Lake House and was editor of the Silumina, Sarasaviya and
Navayugaya. Wimalaweera was attached to the Lankadipa and was a
lyric writer too. Both sons and his daughter are no more.
Most of G H Perera's creations will be remembered for a long time to
come. One of his most popular anthologies Kurakkan Hena written
for a war news sheet released by the Information Department in 1942 to
encourage people to grow more food during the war days, is valid to this
day as a fine piece of verse with a vivid description of kurakkan.
Somaweera Senanayake's in-depth study of G H Perera's work provides
valuable research material for the student and is a noteworthy addition
to modern Sinhala literature. It also offers the opportunity for the present
generation to get to know a patriot who in his own small way contributed
his share towards building a free society.
D C Ranatunga
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