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| Sunday, 12 May 2002 |
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Arts round-up: Tuesdays are not so unlucky by R. S. Karunaratne Tuesdays are generally considered to be unlucky (astrologically?) days to begin anything new. However, well-known publisher and author Dayawansa Jayakody has made it a point to launch at least one new book every Tuesday. April 30, being one of those "unlucky" Tuesdays, turned out to be a busy day for him. As usual he had not sent out any special invitations to anybody. But there was a large gathering to witness the launch of veteran journalist Karunadasa Sooriyaarachchi's latest novel "Noma saha Soma." In fact, Opposition Leader, Mahinda Rajapakse paid a surprise visit and delivered a short speech. There are many new books lined up for launching at the multi-storeyed new bookshop in Maradana. Chandra Anagiratne's "Dangakara Lamai" will be launched at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14. "Dangakara Lamai" is the authentic Sinhala translation of Edith Nesbit's popular novel "The story of the treasure seekers." Her previous novel "The railway children" was an instant success. "Dangakara Lamai" depicts how children view the adult world. Valampuri and culture Most of us consider a valampuri as a symbol of prosperity. Hemantha Situge and Dharma Sri Kandamby enlightened members of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka recently by showing the scientific and cultural aspects of the marine shell steeped in legend. Valampuri is a freak of nature. However, it is deeply revered by many people of the orient. It has been held in high esteem as a valued article of rare significance at auspicious events, such as, the coronation of a Buddhist monarch or when a vihara is dedicated to the Sangha. The shell was then known as the "Dhakshinavrutha Sanka" meaning "right turned chank." Scientists look at the object in a different way. Noted zoologist Dr. Robert Branes described it as a shell possessing a right-handed spiral when the aperture opens to the right of the columella and left-handed when it opens to the left. Writing for children Why do you want to write for children? If you can't answer this question to your satisfaction you might as well give up the idea. It is possible that the attraction of writing for children rather than for adults lies in the feeling that you are not up to the latter: perhaps not well educated, or do not have the gift for words. Therefore, you think it is easier to write for children. This is a mistaken idea. Adult readers will swallow anything you write, but not children. Their expectations are much higher. Their imagination sees no limit. Their thirst for knowledge, for facts about the world, for fantasy and fairy figures is boundless. You can capture their attention only if you can present your story in an exciting way. Out of many writers Malkanthi Gunaratne can be singled out as someone who has understood this reality. Up to now she has written more than 15 story books for children. Her latest book "Ambalame Pina Pina," published by Ratna Book Publishers, is in highly readable verse. Piyal Udaya Samaraweera's colour illustrations will be an added attraction. "What's the secret of your success?" Ms. Gunaratne gives that broad smile and says, "The adult's view of the child is not acceptable to him. Your story must be from the child's point of view. It is advisable to remember much of your own childhood, whether happy or sad; difficult or dull. And you must not "write down" to children. If you do so they will be bored." After reading most of her story books I found that the fairy story, fable or legend is the most exciting way of attracting the attention of children. They stir primeval memories and send signals to the imagination that can be either frightening or utterly wonderful. |
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