A beacon of light

by Roshan Samarakoon

Andurata Pahanak is a collection of critiques on cinema, novels, short stories, poetry and academic publications by literary critic Ariyatilaka Peris. The book contains articles that the author has written for Sinhala newspapers over the years.

The publication is important as it sheds light on the contemporary Sri Lankan cultural landscape offering readers diverse perspectives. The author has heavily drawn on major genre of literary criticism such as Marxist literary criticism and post-modern literary theory.

What is significant in his approach to criticism is that he stirs an unconventional and rather bold path in offering his candid views on Sinhala cinema, contemporary Sinhala literary productions and academic publications on literature.

The author's substantial knowledge not only of Sinhala but also of Marxist and postmodern literary theory has enabled him to see through, at times, amateurish literary and cinematic productions.

The book addresses an important requirement in contemporary Sinhala literary criticism by offering candid as well as informed views on contemporary Sri Lankan cinema and literature.