Vihangi's blossoming talents

A star awarded to a little angel at school helps her sparkle in the literary field...

At the tender age of six, Vihangi Rajapaksa, is already the proud author of 'Tales from an Angel', a collection of stories and poems with colourful illustrations done by her, which was launched at the BMICH last Monday (August 24). Perhaps, some of you may be already acquainted with this blossoming young writer who was featured in the print media last week.

Little Vihangi who is domiciled in England with her parents and is a year one student of Salcombe Preparatory School, London launched her book while on holiday here. Going by an excerpt given in the book published by Vihangi, it is evident that her inherent talent for writing blossomed when she was awarded a star at school for her creative writings about her teacher, Miss Horgan and her friend Jessica.

Little children are very spontaneous when it comes to expressing their thoughts; vocally, in writing or on canvas, and adults need to recognise their talents and encourage them to pursue on those lines.

And encouragement, a vital ingredient needed for any child to grow and develop, little Vihangi has had in abundance, not only from her family, but also from her school.

Vihangi who entered the wonderful world of writing while still at Reception, says she was greatly encouraged by her year one class teacher Mrs. Serfontein to develop her writing skills.

She says in her foreword that she was taught how to write poems using rhyming words and also use speech marks, by Mrs. Serfontein. "Whenever I write a poem or a story, she shows me my mistakes and also encourages me to use adverbs and adjectives in my writings", Vihangi adds. "I really enjoyed my English lessons with her. Whenever we go on trips from school, I write about it", she says.

Mrs. Serfontein had also encouraged her to read a lot, says Vihangi, who is very grateful to her for all the support and encouragement given to take to writing and also publish her book. In fact, she expresses much gratitude to both her family members and school authorities for all the encouragement she received.

Vihangi who definitely has a passion for writing and shows some promise as an artist too, says that during leisure she discusses her poems and ideas with her mother, Upeksha Silva, and her grandmother who buys her lots of story books and poetry books to read. She says that her father, Dr. Ravi

Rajapaksa and grandfather enjoyed her poetry whenever she recited them and encouraged her to write more. "My little sister, Sandali likes to listen to my stories the best", points out Vihangi who has written many stories such as 'The Magic Crystal', 'The Dinosaur in the Night', 'Rakie and the Green Ship' and 'How I met my best friend' which are included in her first book.

Little Vihangi's happy, care free, fantasy world comes to light through poems such as 'If I were', 'If I could be' and 'I wonder what would happen' while poems such as 'Animal Sounds' and 'When I go on a journey' portray her sharp awareness of her surroundings.Vihangi has also many other feats to her credit. She has won the 2009 DK World Book Day Cover competition conducted by Dorling Kingersley Book Company in the four to seven age group, obtained a distinction in Classical Ballet exams at the Royal Academy of Dance, received the Level II National

Swim Award in England, won the Year Group Prize at the school and achieved the Perform Gold Challenge with a distinction at the Perform Drama and Dancing Academy in London.

So, what will little Vihangi be in the future - a talented balarina, a great swimmer following in her mother's footsteps, a recognised academic, a popular dramatist or a famous author? Only time will tell in which field this versatile little girl would show her colours. May be the letter V in her name stands for versatility!