Draft:Rathna Sri Wijesinghe
Rathne Siri Wijesinghe | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rathne Siri Wijesinghe 2 June 1953[1] Nakiadeniya, Tellambura |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Occupation(s) | poet, lecturer, radio program producer senior assistant Secretary |
| Political party | National People's Power |
| Spouse | Shirani Hemamali Peiris |
| Children | Sammani (Daughter), Sandeepani (Daughter) |
| Awards | State Literary Award for Sinhala Poetry[1] |
Ratna Sri Wijesinghe (born 2 June 1953) is an award-winning Sri Lankan lyricist. A pioneer poet of the 80s, he is a lyricist who has made a powerful creative contribution to the field of Sinhala poetry as well as to the field of Sinhala songs. He examines the physical and spiritual reality of human lives based on stress and competition in the context of the consumerist economy and all kinds of personal relationships led by human love. Even though his art does not contain propagandist tendencies, a deep and superficial view of social justice is evident from his works. He is close to his comrade as a restrained and strong poet who has the education received through classical literature and the heart drawn from folk literature.[2]
Early life
[edit]Ratna Sri Wijesinghe was born on the second day of June 1953 in the village of Thellambure, Nakiadeniya, Southern Province. He received his primary education from Nawala Government School, Thellambura Vidyakanti College and Thellambura Dutugemunu College. During his formative years, he attended school 20 miles away from his hometown and would eventually reside at the school hostel. During one of his vists home, he paused at a small carpenter's home, seeking respite and shelter from the rain or sun. Over time, a bond grew between the two and the carpenter would relate to him stories of his struggles as a single father raising his daughter since his wife's passing. These kind of stories and real world experience would heavily impact the later works of Ratna Sri in the years to come.[3]
Ratna Sri, who passed the fifth grade scholarship, entered Sri Sumangala Madhya Maha Vidyalaya, Hikkaduwa for secondary education. After that, he studied Science from Richmond College, Galle up to Advanced Level, and later obtained an Honors Degree in Sinhala from Peradeniya University.
Career
[edit]Teaching
[edit]Ratna Sri, who is also a Master's graduate from the University of Kelaniya, started his career as a teacher. Later, he was in charge of the Sinhala Language Unit of the Southern Province Education Department and then worked as a lecturer at Amarasuriya Teachers College, Unawatuna. He has also held senior assistant secretary positions in several ministries.[4]
Ratna Sri has also gained experience as a television and radio program producer, providing teacher advice and encouragement to aspiring poets by editing several pages of newspaper poems. Ratna Sri also makes a special contribution to journalism by writing columns and feature articles.[5] In January 2024, he joined fellow activists in opposing government attempts to suppress democratic rights by restricting freedom of speech and expression. This collective effort aimed to defend the fundamental rights of the people against governmental overreach.[6]
In 2024, Dr. Wijesinghe was appointed as the Chairman of the National Library and Documentation Services Board (NLDSB) of Sri Lanka, bringing a wealth of experience to his new position.[7][8][7] Additionally, Wijesinghe has participated in political activism. For instance, he addressed participants at the “Pannamu” protest organized by the National People’s Power (NPP), reflecting his involvement in contemporary political movements.[9]
Poems
[edit]Among all these literary works, Ratna Sri Wijesinghayan is the most popular It was through poetry and lyrics. Biya Novan Ayyandi, published in 1975, was his first collection of poetry. Later, the poetry book Wassane was published, which won a lot of attention from readers and critics.
Good Morning (State Award) Under the Sal Tree, Star Sign, Madhyama Yamaya, are among his other poetic works. Ratna Sri's song collections include Vankagiri Arane (State Award), Sudu Ne`Phama (State Award), Ganga Song, Ira Batu Taruva, Netha Nilupul (State Award), Alakmanda (State Award).[5]
Among the writing works of Ratna Sri are the collections of the most beautiful sky and memory thoughts, Katugahayata, Liyavela, Att Pasara and the research book Mahagama Sekara and Social Reality (with Prof. Sucharita Gamlath).[5]
Ratna Sri has written hundreds of popular songs like "Mage Bisawne Asapan", "Kirula Muthu Lihi", "Chandra Mandala Sathapuna Punchi Saviye", Bimbarak Senaga Gavasuna", "Lenchina Mage Nangi".[5]
Wijesinghe’s creative process is deeply influenced by real-life stories and personal encounters. For instance, his song “Chandra Mandale Sangawunu Punchi Saawiye” was inspired by a poignant narrative he encountered during his youth. It was about the same carpenter, who provided him with shelter and bonded over stories of youth and struggle, who told him one day with tears in his eyes that his daughter has eloped with a young man. He combined this story with that of “The Station Master” by Alexander Pushkin, which tells a similar story.[10] The song reflects his ability to weave contemporary stories with tales from history and literature, creating lyrics that are both relatable and evocative.[3]
Children's literature
[edit]Salalihinio, Rankirikata, Red Hen, Singing Bamboo (State Awards) are among his children's works.[5]
Awards
[edit]Ratna Sri Wijesinghe's novel Chandradaya, which consists of many scholarly articles investigating the literary mission of Ratna Sri Wijesingha, is an impressive commentary on his creative career. This designer, who has won many state awards, was also recognized with the Japanese "Bunka" award.[5]
Even today, Ratna Sri Wijesinghe continues to contribute towards the nourishment of the Sinhala literary field.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Fonseka, Carlo (2013-06-01). "Celebrating Rathna Sri Wijesinghe: Lyrical Poet". The Island. Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
- ^ "සිංහල සාහිත්ය රසාස්වාදය 10 - 11 ශ්රේණි පෙළපොත" (PDF). edupub.gov.lk. p. 122.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "Behind The Lyrics Of Rathna Sri Wijesinghe – I – Yamu.lk". Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ "Dr. Rathna Sri Wijesinghe". Vidarshana Literary Prize. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ a b c d e f g "සිංහල සාහිත්ය සංග්රහය 10 - 11 ශ්රේණි" (PDF). edupub.gov.lk. p. 129.
- ^ ""Let's collectively defeat the government's attempt to suppress democratic rights"". Newswire. 2024-01-21. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ a b MIAP (2024-12-16). "Veteran Poet Dr. Rathna Sri Wijesinghe appointed Chairman of NLDSB". LNW Lanka News Web. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Lakehouse, Nalaka (2024-12-16). "Veteran poet, Dr. Rathna Sri Wijesinghe assumed the chairmanship of NLDSB". DailyNews. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ Mathrubhumi SL (2024-02-13). Rathna Sri Wijesinghe addressing people at "Pannamu" protest by NPP. Retrieved 2024-12-17 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Behind the Lyrics of Rathna Sri Wijesinghe – Ilankai Tamil Sangam". sangam.org. Retrieved 2024-12-17.